WESTLOCK — The senior AA Westlock Warriors will have some added competition next season, in the likes of the Innisfail Eagles and Stony Plain Eagles hockey clubs.
The two organizations have officially joined the North Central Hockey League (NCHL) for the 2024-2025 season, expanding the league to 10 teams. The NCHL made the announcement May 15 and noted the new additions, who will be joining eight other teams currently in the league including the Westlock Warriors, Bonnyville Pontiacs and Lacombe Generals.
The move came following the NCHL’s annual general meeting in early May.
“The NCHL is happy to announce that their membership has risen to 10 teams with the addition of the Stony Plain Eagles and the Innisfail Eagles effective for the upcoming season,” read a statement posted the NCHL website. “This marks the first time since the 2016-2017 season that the league has had 10 teams.”
Westlock Warriors general manager Nathan Brown said the two new teams will be a positive addition to the NCHL.
“Overall, it should be good for our league. Having more teams is always a good thing,” said Brown, noting the long-standing Eagles organizations with strong reputations. “The fact that we’re up to 10 teams from eight last year means our league is growing, which is good.”
There are currently five operating senior hockey leagues in Alberta — four are AA and one is single A.
Newly elected league president, Jerry Muise said the NCHL is always open to new teams and they welcome the additions of Innisfail and Stony Plain for next season.
“The NCHL right now is the premier senior AA league in the province,” said Muise, noting reps from both Eagles teams attended the AGM in May. “It looks like it’s going to be a very strong, competitive league (in 2024-2025).”
The NCHL announced they are doing away with the divisional split used last season, and teams will play a home-and-home tilt against every team, making for a balanced 18-game schedule.
The puck will drop on the 2024-2025 NCHL regular season on Sept. 28.
