The NWJHL is getting ready for the start of another season.
The league has split its eight teams into two divisions which league president Peter Burletoff says is part of a pilot they’re doing this season.
“It’s going to be a 40 game schedule with eight games within the division and four games outside of the division. It gives us an opportunity for some league sponsorships and businesses to be exposed to the North West Junior Hockey League. We’re just in the process finalizing some sponsorship and there’s always sponsorship opportunities.”
The Navs, Fairview, Dawson Creek and Fort St. John are in the East-West division, while La Crete, Sexsmith, Grande Prairie and Beaverlodge are in the North-South division.
Burletoff says there has been some expansion discussions, but their main focus right now is on quality over quantity.
“It’s not about the number of teams, it’s the quality of hockey that we want to produce and see on the ice and show to our fans and our sponsors as well. We’re not gonna close the door to it, but for this year we’re obviously gonna continue with our eight members and have a very successful season.”
Burletoff says several players getting opportunities at Junior A and Major Junior camps shows an increase in the talent level across the league.
You can listen to the full interview below.
– Kyle Moore, Trending 55 Newsroom
