CANMORE – In the wake of a major shake-up in junior hockey, changes have been approved to test out to streamline the development of western Canadian players.
Announced Thursday (July 11), Hockey Canada is launching the Western Canadian Development Model (WCDM) pilot project in the 2024-25 season involving 10 organizations such as Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) and Hockey Alberta.
Key takeaways are players over 18 can now choose to wear half-face protection, increased flexibility in the development pathway for 15- and 16-year-old players in the major junior Western Hockey League, and all participating western Junior A leagues will consent to the WHL Rule Book, except for a few sections.
“I think it gives kids consistency for development plans and obviously it partners up with the Western Hockey League and they’re a pretty powerful entity,” said Andrew Milne, Canmore Eagles Junior A head coach and general manager. “I think it keeps kids knowing there’s a model out there … for you to play at for every level of your development.”
The Western Canadian Development Model pilot project has been approved for the 2024-25 season.
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) July 11, 2024
Le projet pilote du modèle de développement du hockey dans l’Ouest canadien a été approuvé pour la saison 2024-2025.
Under the WCDM, it also allows nine 15-year-old players to play up to 10 WHL games per season, which is up from five affiliate players on the roster for only five games.
WHL teams can now also designate one 16-year-old player, who upon being returned to a Junior A, Canadian Sport School Hockey League or U18 team, will be allowed to play up to 15 games in the WHL.
“It allows players [to go] where they belong to play,” said Milne. “I think with the ability to have a bit of a relationship with the Western Hockey League and players coming and going … I don’t think it will work to a farm system type-thing, but it just allows a little bit of freer movement across the two leagues.”
The pilot project will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and it is anticipated that its scope will expand in future seasons, according to Hockey Canada.
“We all must continue to evolve to meet the needs of Canadians looking to participate in our National Winter Sport in a system that operates with an athlete-centred approach and ensures their development and safety on and off the ice is at the forefront of everything we do,” said Pat McLaughlin, chief operating officer and executive vice-president of strategy for Hockey Canada, in a media release.
“By increasing flexibility for junior hockey players and families in Western Canada, we anticipate that we will see higher quality competition on the ice, all the way up to the National Team level when Canada is competing internationally in the years to come.”
The move comes seven months after five teams made headlines and broke away from the AJHL to join the unsanctioned British Columbia Hockey League, which has gained traction from players and teams looking at getting more exposure from United States and U Sport universities and colleges, combined with the opportunity to recruit from a greater pool of top U18 players from across North America.
AJHL schedule revealed, player signings, billets needed
The AJHL released the majority of its 2024-25 schedule, with one Eagles game set to receive national spotlight.
Some key games for the hometown club include the home opener on Sept. 13 against the 2023-24 AJHL champion Calgary Canucks, the two games in Banff on Nov. 26 against the Canucks and Feb. 11 against the Lloydminster Bobcats, and the first time the Eagles and new expansion team the Devon Xtreme face off will be Nov. 29 at the Canmore Recreation Centre.
Two of the Eagles’ 54 regular season games are yet to be announced, but will be played Sept. 25-27 at the AJHL Showcase Weekend, when university and pro scouts will get eyes on players. A complete schedule of the weekend and host location are yet to be announced.
One of the most anticipated regular season games will be on Jan. 18, when the hometown club plays against the Drumheller Dragons as part of Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada being held in Canmore.
Confirmed to be taking place over the course of the day is the Sportsnet broadcast, with its analysts, special guests and tours of the mountain community. That night, all seven Canadian NHL teams are in action.
A variety of hockey games will also be played locally throughout the week and during the Sportsnet broadcast, with NHL alumni, minor, university and the hometown Eagles taking centre stage at the Canmore Recreation Centre at 7 p.m.
In anticipation of the new season, the local club has kept busy adding pieces to its roster this season.
A battle for the No. 1 spot in net could be in the works between current Eagle Matthew Kieper, 20, and newest goalie signing, Alexander Scheiwiller, 19, formerly of the Spruce Grove Saints.
Last season, Kieper had starts with the Eagles and WHL teams the Swift Current Broncos and Kamloops Blazers comprising a 2023-24 major junior record of 6-2-2. He was 3-5-0 with the Eagles.
Between the BCHL and AJHL in 2023-24, Scheiwiller had a 12-14-1 record.
The Eagles have also signed goalie Hudson Sedo, an 17-year-old affiliate who played two games with the club last season.
In the forward department, the Eagles signed 18-year-old wingers Joshua Cleary and Braden Burke from the Chatham Maroons of the Greater Ontario Junior B Hockey League. Last season, Cleary scored 21 goals and 49 points and Burke scored 21 goals and 40 points.
The Canmore Eagles also acquired forwards Aidan Tkachuk of the Calgary Royals and Brayden Schwartz of Edge School.
Tkachuk, a six-foot-three 17-year-old, had 17 goals and 44 points in 38 games with the Royals last season, and was called up to play two games with the Calgary Canucks, while Schwartz, 17 years old and standing five-foot-ten, scored 10 goals and had 21 points in 29 games with the U18 prep team.
As always, the Eagles are searching for billet families to host a few players for the upcoming season. Billet families receive benefits, which includes compensation and free tickets to games, among others.
For those interested in billeting, email [email protected].
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