Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women Leela Sharon Aheer made the announcement outside the Grant Fuhr Arena in Spruce Grove Monday morning (Photo: Government of Alberta)

By Shaun Penner

Online 50/50 Draws

“Jackpots for Junior Hockey” to support Storm, other AJHL & WHL teams in Alberta

Feb 22, 2021 | 11:37 AM

A joint initiative undertaken by the Western Hockey League and Alberta Junior Hockey League will see the two leagues share proceeds of a new online 50/50 draw.

“Jackpots For Junior Hockey” will see proceeds from the new draws go to Alberta’s five WHL teams and 15 AJHL teams, including the Grande Prairie Storm, to help offset revenues lost because of the pandemic.

The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) has allowed the two leagues to conduct the draws each weekend in March. Teams will be required to share a portion of their proceeds with local charities.

“The strength of the AJHL is its communities,” said Ryan Bartoshyk, commissioner of the AJHL. “Although the challenges over the past year were new and unfamiliar, the community support and passion for our teams has been unwavering and we are excited to capture that passion through this initiative.”

Both leagues have seen their seasons, and revenues, take a significant hit over the last calendar year. The AJHL just received approval back on Friday to return to its 2020-21 regular season, after being placed on pause back in November.

The WHL, similarly, is set to start their shortened season later this week, with the five Alberta teams playing a 24-game schedule against one another.

Both leagues will be playing without fans in attendance, the major source of revenue in both leagues.

“Protecting the lives and livelihoods of Albertans includes ensuring that junior hockey remains a social and economic driver in our province,” said Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women Leela Sharon Aheer.

“Thanks to changes made to provincial policy, the WHL and AJHL can now raise funds online to support their operations directly from fans in their communities.

The province adds that the five WHL clubs in Alberta contribute approximately $56 million annually to the provincial economy, and employ nearly 1,000 full- and part-time Albertans.

They add the AJHL as a whole contributes approximately $45 million annually to the Alberta economy.