The Canadian Junior Hockey League is pleased to announce a new regional playoff format for its four western provinces beginning in 2013.
The British Columbia Hockey League, Alberta Junior Hockey League, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and Manitoba Junior Hockey League will move to a five-team tournament and crown the first-ever Western Canadian champion.
The Western Canadian Championship will include a host team and the champion from each of the four western leagues. The 13-game tournament will include a round-robin schedule followed by two semifinal games and a championship game. The WC champion and the runner-up will both represent Western Canada at the RBC Cup National Junior A Championship.
“Congratulations to the four western leagues on this significant step in the growth of Junior A hockey in Western Canada and across the country,” said CJHL Chairman Kirk Lamb. “The new championship format will create a tremendous opportunity to showcase our players, teams and communities and is yet another example of the strengthening relationship among Junior A leagues in Canada. I commend the four western leagues on partnering together in the development of this initiative.”
The inaugural Western Canadian Championship in 2013 has been awarded to Nanaimo, B.C., and will be played from April 26 to May 5.
The WCC will be hosted by the MJHL, AJHL and SJHL from 2014 to 2016.
Charla Flett — AJHL communications/statistics