COLD LAKE - Cold Lake will not be getting an Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) team for the 2025-26 season after an application was denied by the league.
The City of Cold Lake announced on Jan. 22 in a press release that the application to establish a Junior A team in the community was not successful
The decision, which followed a private owner’s formal proposal, has sparked controversy and highlighted friction between the community of Cold Lake and the Bonnyville Pontiacs, one of the AJHL’s existing 12 teams.
The City of Cold Lake expressed deep disappointment, suggesting that opposition from the Bonnyville Pontiacs played a role in the outcome. Mayor Craig Copeland was vocal about his concerns, accusing the Pontiacs of prioritizing their interests over regional collaboration.
“I’m very concerned about the message that this is sending to the Cold Lake business community,” said Copeland. “The City of Cold Lake’s council has been very supportive of recreational and cultural opportunities in our neighbouring urban community, but this decision threatens to destroy a lot of that goodwill.”
Copeland pointed to the City of Cold Lake’s substantial financial contributions to Bonnyville’s recreational and cultural initiatives, as well as administration’s cooperation with Bonnyville’s policy development efforts. He criticized the Pontiacs for allegedly opposing Cold Lake’s Junior A ambitions out of “fear of competition.”
The Pontiacs, however, refuted claims that they were responsible for the AJHL’s decision.
Neil Langridge, Associate General Manager of the Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs, clarified the team’s role within the league.
“Regarding the press release from the City of Cold Lake released [Jan. 22], the Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs are a member of the 12-member Alberta Junior Hockey League,” Langridge told Lakeland This Week.
“Like any other member, the Bonnyville Pontiacs count as one vote and one vote only in the 12-member league. It is my understanding that the league received an application from a private owner and that application went through the process as laid out by the AJHL bylaws.”
AJHL Commissioner Ryan Bartoshyk also released a statement addressing the league’s stance on expansion, emphasizing the importance of supporting the existing teams.
“Given the existing landscape and ongoing changes in junior hockey, the AJHL board of governors evoked its right to refuse to consider the application for membership received from a private owner seeking to form a new AJHL franchise in Cold Lake,” Bartoshyk stated. “The focus of the Alberta Junior Hockey League is on its existing 12 teams and ensuring the viability and success of our current communities before further exploring expansion.”
Copeland has criticized the Pontiacs for their lack of engagement with the Cold Lake community, noting the team has not held exhibition games, clinics, regular season games, or outreach events in the city. Cold Lake is located about 50 km northeast from Bonnyville.
“Typically, Junior A teams across the country give back to the communities that support them,” Copeland said. “That’s not the case here. Instead of a great regional rivalry that could be good for both communities and the league, we are left with a team for Bonnyville only.”
In a press release sent out by the City of Cold Lake, municipal leadership reaffirmed their commitment to supporting local sports and recreation, despite recent setbacks. They highlighted the community’s dedication to hosting top-tier events and providing state-of-the-art facilities, which they believe attract athletes to the area.
Copeland pointed out that Cold Lake’s arenas are highly sought after, and its population continues to grow.
