Hide Article Text (OCR)
C.A.H.A. Has ChallengeBy KORKY KOROLUK EDMONTON (CP) — WesternCanadian junior hockey operators have issued a challenge to the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association and are waiting for (he CAHA to accept it.At a weekend meeting, the Western Canada Junior Hockey League:—Changed its name to the Western Canada HockeyLeague;—Announced formation of the Canadian Hockey Association with which the WCHL will be affiliated;—Named Calgary businessman Ron Butlin president of both the WCHL and the CHA.The moves were brought about by a dispute with the CAHA over the age limit for junior hockey players.At its last annual meeting, the CAHA decided a junior must be under 20 on Dec. 31 of the year in which a season starts. The decision chops five months from the previous deadline of May 31 in the follofwing year.A few days later, the WCJHL moved seven months in the opposite direction, granting junior status to players under 21 on Dec. 31.The WCHL also arm ounce cl a four-year scholarship plan available to players of 18 and under wishing to study at colleges or vocational schools. A player completing his course without interruption would remain eligible for junior compe-tion until he graduated, possibly at the age of 22.That move Immediatelyraised the prospect that for thesecond time in three yearsWestern Canada’s top junior league would operate independently next winter*Weekend developmentsstrengthened the possibility.There were two significant omissions in the new bodies. The WCHL drops the word “junior” from its name; the CHA omits the word “amateur.”Bill Hunter, chairman of the league board of governors and owner of Edmonton Oil Kings, says his league has not withdrawn from the CAHA.There are two ready interpretations for the league’s move.It can be considered that the league is going to operate independently of the CAHA, and that expulsion from the CAHA is meely an expected formality.It can also be considered that formation of the CHA is an open invitation for the Ontario Hockey Association junior series to bolt CAHA ranks, hook up with the CHA, and compete against the WCHL in a post-season national playoff.A telegram has been sent to the National Hockey League saying the new league ■will honor the NHL draft agreement this year. This means the NHL is to pay $3,000 for each player drafted from each club. This money goes to the CAHA for passing on to the individual clubs.Most of the cities, plus Regina, were members of the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League when it broke with the CAHA in 1966 in a jurisdictional dispute highlighted by the association’s refusal to allow the league to draft players from other junior leagues.GundiockCome into the Committee Rooms andimeet the man who is serving you so well!GUNDLOCKl XInserted by the Lethbridge Federal Progressive Conservative Association,NORTH-LETHBRIDGE BARBER SHOPLocated at 310 13th Street NorthNOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS!Owned and Operated byFREDERICK SCHNEIDER
Newspaper Details
Lethbridge Herald
Lethbridge, Alberta, CA
Mon, Jun 10, 1968
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Jason P.
USA 29 Jun 2019
Other Publications Near Lethbridge, Alberta
Prairie Post
Lethbridge Sun Times
Lethbridge Herald
Lethbridge Daily Herald
