Canadian Jr. A Playoffs: Pacific Region

It may only be February, but the playoffs are upon us in the Canadian Jr. A Ranks as the Canadian Junior Hockey Leagues (CJHL) have one of the longest and most complex playoff format in the world. In all, 11 leagues make up this level of play in different parts of Canada with over 140 teams playing that started the season back in September, will be cut down to 5 when we reach the RBC Cup in Early May which will be in Dauphin, Manitoba this season.

Here's a quick synopsis of the 2 leagues that make up the playoffs in the Pacific Region.

British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL): With the Conference Top Seeds getting first Round Byes. The playoffs start with the teams ranked 2 through 7 within the Conference. After that, the winners will advance to the Conference Semifinals where the #1 seed will play the lowest remining seed while the #2 and #3 seeds will play each other in the 2nd Round. After the 2nd Round, the Conference Finalist will square off for the Conference Championships who will play for the League Champioships. All matches are best of 7.

Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL): Like in the BCHL, the top seed will get a first round bye while the #2 takes on the #7, #3 against the #6 and the #4 vs. #5. Then after the 1st round, the top seed will play lowest remaining seed while the other two teams will face off in the Divisoin Semifinal. Then in the 3rd Round, the 4 remining teams will cross over where the top 4 seeds will be reseeded as the #1 overall will take on the #4 overall, while the #2 VS. #3 overall seeds will take off. Then Semifinal Winners will face off for the League Championship. The first round will be a best of 5 while the

Doyle Cup: This will be the best of 7 series that will crown the Pacific Region Champions where the Alberta League Champions will have home ice this year as home ice flip flops in this series. The winner will advance to the RBC Cup in Dauphin, Manitoba to play for the National Championship in early May.

All the Series will be a best of 7 Series with 1 excption. The AJHL will use a best of 5 during the 1st Round. The rest of the series will be a best of 7 format.

After the BCHL & AJHL Champions are crowned, the league champions will play for the Doyle Cup which is a best of 7 series In Mid April where the Winner will be crowned Regional Champions. And advance to the 5 team RBC Cup for the National Championship to play the West Region, Ontario Region and Atlantic Region Champions.

In addiditon, the Dauphin Kings who are hosting will get an automatic bid. After finishing with the MJHL's best record this season, they look for the rare feat of winning the RBC Cup on home soil.

Here's a look at the Final Standings and Playoff Matchups in the BCHL & AJHL.


British Columbia Hockey League Final Standings

Costal Conference

1. Alberni Valley 60 GP 45-12-1-2 93 PTS 233-145

2. Powell River 60 GP 36-17-1-6 79 PTS 216-160

3. Victoria 60 GP 34-18-2-6 76 PTS 220-175

4. Langley 60 GP 33-22-2-3 71 PTS 226-209

5. Surrey 60 GP 30-24-0-6 66 PTS 196-190

6. Nanaimo 60 GP 24-25-1-10 59 PTS 197-204

7. Cowichan Valley 60 GP 25-32-0-3 53 PTS 181-243

8. Burnaby 60 GP 18-36-0-6 42 PTS 175-256


Interior Conference

1. Vernon 60 GP 51-6-0-3 105 PTS 298-119

2. Penticton 60 GP 48-8-0-4 100 PTS 284-143

3. Westside 60 GP 38-18-1-3 80 PTS 244-173

4. Salom Arm 60 GP 29-25-3-3 64 PTS 227-227

5. Quesnel 60 GP 22-32-0-6 50 PTS 208-245

6. Trail 60 GP 20-32-1-7 48 PTS 216-271

7. Merritt 60 GP 22-36-0-2 46 PTS 215-319

8. Prince George 60 GP 18-37-1-4 41 PTS 210-270

9. Williams Lake 60 GP 10-49-1-0 21 PTS 157-354


Clinched 1st Round Byes

Clinched Playoff Spots



BCHL Playoff Matchups

Costal Conference Quarterfinals

#2 Powell River Kings VS. #7 Cowichan Valley Capitals

#3 Victoria Grizzlies VS. #6 Nanaimo Clippers

#4 Langley Chiefs VS. #5 Surrey Eagles


Conference Semifinals

#1 Alberni Valley Bulldogs VS. Lowest Seeded Quarterfinal Winner

#2 Seeded Team VS. #3 Seeded Team


Interior Conference

Conference Quarterfinals

#2 Penticton Vees VS. #7 Merritt Centenials

#3 Westside Warriors VS. #6 Trail Smoke Eaters

#4 Salom Arm Silverbacks VS. #5 Quesnel Millionaires


Conference Semifinals

#1 Vernon Vipers VS. Lowest Seeded Quarterfinal Winner

#2 Seeded Team VS. #3 Seeded Team

Here's the Full Playoff Bracket: www.bchl.ca/leagues/bracket_vert.cfm?clientid=1413&leagueid=2393



Alberta Junior Hockey League Final Standings

North Division

1. Spruce Grove 60 GP 52-4-1-3 108 PTS 252-99

2. Grande Prairie 60 GP 40-17-1-2 83 PTS 233-174

3. Ft. Mcmurray 60 GP 37-19-1-3 78 PTS 235-168

4. Sherwood Park 60 GP 33-18-2-7 75 PTS 206-181

5. Bonnyville 60 GP 27-29-2-2 58 PTS 175-190

6. St. Albert 60 GP 24-29-2-5 55 PTS 218-260

7. Lloydminister 60 GP 19-32-2-7 47 PTS 173-220

8. Drayton Valley 60 GP 12-42-3-3 30 PTS 139-269


South Division

1. Okotoks 60 GP 38-18-1-3 80 PTS 249-187

2. Camrose 60 GP 32-17-4-7 75 PTS 201-170

3. Olds 60 GP 30-23-2-5 67 PTS 189-185

4. Calgary Canucks 60 GP 29-27-3-1 62 PTS 214-225

5. Brooks 60 GP 28-27-1-4 61 PTS 218-205

6. Canmore 60 GP 26-26-3-5 60 PTS 202-217

7. Calgary Royals 60 GP 21-29-2-8 52 PTS 213-255

8. Drumheller 60 GP 17-37-0-6 40 PTS 157-269


AJHL Playoff Matchups

North Division 1st Round

#2 Grande Prairie Storm VS. #7 Lloydminster Bobcats

#3 Ft. Mcmurray Oil Barons VS. #6 St. Albert Steel

#4 Sherwood Park Crusaders VS. #5 Bonnyville Pontiacs


North Division 2nd Round

#1 Spurce Groove Saints VS. Lowest Seeded 1st Round Winner

#2 Seeded Team VS. #3 Seeded Team


South Division 1st Round

#2 Camrose Kodiaks VS. #7 Calgary Royals

#3 Olds Grizzlies VS. #6 Canmore Eagles

#4 Calgary Canucks VS. #5 Brooks Bandits



South Division 2nd Round

#1 Okotoks Oilers VS. 4th Seeded Team

#2 Seeded Team VS. #3 Seeded Team

Alberta Junior Hockey League Playoff Bracket: www.ajhl.ca/leagues/bracket_vert.cfm?leagueID=3464&clientID=1705&link=AJHL/