AJHL Commissioner Ryan Bartoshyk talks league parity, hot topics

During Wednesday’s Bonnyville Pontiacs broadcast against the Fort McMurray Oil Barons, play by play voice Michael Menzies interviewed AJHL Commissioner Ryan Bartoshyk about a range of topics, including the recent AJHL Showcase, Ukrainians in the league, an increase in league parity, the discussion about an AJHL Draft, and a letter written by the BCHL to Hockey Canada about improvements they’d like to see in Junior A hockey.

How did the AJHL Showcase go in your estimation and what was the impact for the league having disruptions to this event over the past two years?

“I think on the first piece, it’s a significant event for the league and an opportunity for our athletes to be in front of the entire scouting community. As a league, we have a responsibility to showcase our athletes and provide them with that opportunity for exposure. And I think we’ve gotten to that point where we’re confident that we’re providing that. And I think that it was just a great experience for our athletes in Blackfalds, and then credit to that group for the events,” said Bartoshyk. 

“I think there’s a big piece here, going through COVID, not only missing the showcase two years ago — obviously, it was limited last year, a little bit in Brooks, as far as capacity had an impact on scouts — but looking at COVID, in the last two years on the development of our athletes, as a whole and there’s challenges. I think we’re seeing some of that initially here in the early season. It definitely had an impact.

“I’m really looking forward to kind of settling into the season here and having our athletes really get the opportunity to develop with our coaches in there. I really think the coaching is going to set in here over the next couple of months, and we’re gonna see a lot of development and improvements among our players.” 

Did you get a total of the number of scouts that attended?

“I didn’t confirm the number. Typically, we’re in the 85-110 range, and I’m pretty confident we’ve reached those numbers again. It’s an interesting concept now with that scouting community and what we’ve gone through COVID — budgets have changed for that group. Some come earlier. We see some head coaches earlier in the season and even in the exhibition season from the NCAA, and even the development of something like Instat. It’s such a prevalent tool across the hockey world now with access to players shift by shift, game by game, there’s so much information for these scouts online now that there’s a lot of that scouting process done online.

“But, you know, they still need to be seen in person at points throughout the year. And then I think the showcase was able to do that. I think an important piece is not only what’s done on the ice, but education plays a key role in things, but also understanding the person and understanding the person’s background and their family and their personality. So I think that’s a big piece as well that sometimes we forget, and we can’t understand that through Instat.”

Video scoreclocks: Bonnyville is installing and it will debut this weekend. We’re seeing more teams trend in this direction for the fan experience aren’t we?

“I heard some rumors of a a new board going in. And I thought that the flip play might be out of the question in Bonnyville. Now, but I heard it’s a little higher up. So looking forward to seeing it. But yeah, to your question is ultimately part of the fan and player experience. And our teams have done a great job integrating that into the game day experience. And it definitely adds not only to get the fan experience, but opportunities for other events and other things throughout the year in our facilities.”

The Brooks Bandits acquired two Ukrainian nationals onto their roster recently after the league made the decision to allow these players through in the summer. Can you walk me through the decision making around that decision?

“In the summer, there was a few requests coming from Ukrainian players and families trying to explore the opportunity to play junior hockey in Canada. And through the CJHL, we were able to determine a process where our teams, not only in the AJHL, but across the CJHL could apply to Hockey Canada through the National Appeals Committee to ultimately have those players rostered at the CJHL.

“So Brooks took advantage of that opportunity and were able to secure two players to play in Brooks in the AJHL. And just the tremendous opportunity for those athletes and really, for all the athletes within that organization and our league, just to understand and recognize what those players and what those families are going through in Ukraine, and I think it really adds some perspective to the day-to-day not only in hockey, but within life as well.

It seems there is more parity in the league so far in the early-going. There was a big gap of 82 points between 1st in the South to last and 45 points between 1st in the North and last. Are you encouraged to see this? Is it something you pay attention to?

“I think so. Being on site in Blackfalds for the event there, you can kind of recognize and see that parity to start the season off here. I don’t think there’s going to be many easy nights in either division to be honest with you. So that’s going to put the onus on our teams, and our coaches, and our athletes to be prepared every night.

“I think it’s a good thing when you go into a game and the reality is you’re not sure who’s gonna win that game. So I think that’s a big something to acknowledge here earlier in the season, and we’ll see how that plays out for the rest of the season.” 

In season’s past, there has been rumblings about discussions regarding an AJHL Draft? Has there ever been a serious discussion at the Board of Governors level or otherwise to explore a draft?

“We’ve had discussions over the years, specifically about a draft. And there are some challenges with the draft specific to the AJHL with the potential to lose players not only outside the province, but outside the country as well. So there are some challenges there. 

“I think in the reality of our league, there’s advantages within every community in our league. And I think there’s really oppurtinities in all of our communities as well. So credit to our organizations, they have the free will to ultimately build the team how they see fit within the rules and regulations. Each team does that a little bit differently according to maybe their philosophy. But, I think again, it’s an opportunity here within all 16 communities to excel on the ice and embrace their communities and ultimately have success.” 

The BCHL published a document airing some of their concerns with Hockey Canada and how they see a future for Junior A hockey in the country. They included allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to play out of province and emphasizing that Junior A is a key path to the NCAA. Did you have any thoughts on these suggestions or want to comment on them?

“Not specifically, Michael. I think, as a league, our first priority is to look in the mirror really and understand where we are at as a league and ensuring that our communities are all viable, and that we’re providing opportunities for our athletes to develop within our current system. So there’s discussions on numerous topics throughout the season and then over the years here. But again, I think for us, it’s really a look in the mirror mentality as far as getting better internally and focusing on what we can control.