Albertans will have the chance to support junior hockey
in their communities with a new 50/50 draw that will help
local teams maintain operations impacted by COVID-19.
Jackpots For Junior Hockey presented by RE/MAX, a joint 50/50
draw launched today by the Western Hockey League (WHL) and
Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), will share proceeds with
Alberta’s five WHL teams and 15 AJHL teams to help offset
revenues lost because of the pandemic and the suspension of
play.
Alberta’s government, through Alberta Gaming, Liquor and
Cannabis (AGLC), is supporting the lottery by allowing the
leagues to conduct 50/50 draws, with Albertans able to purchase
tickets online from anywhere in the province.
“Protecting the lives and livelihoods of Albertans includes
ensuring that junior hockey remains a social and economic driver
in our province. 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. We’re asking
Albertans to provide a much needed assist and purchase
Jackpots For Junior Hockey 50/50 tickets.”
Leela Sharon Aheer, Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and
Status of Women
“The WHL is excited for the launch of the Jackpots for Junior
Hockey 50/50. As largely fan-dependent leagues, the future of
many of our junior hockey teams is in jeopardy in Alberta. The
Jackpots for Junior Hockey 50/50 will help to ensure our junior
hockey teams remain a vital part of our Alberta communities. The
WHL is pleased to enter into a partnership with the Government
of Alberta, the Alberta Junior Hockey League, and our
longstanding WHL corporate partner RE/MAX of Western Canada
to deliver this exciting new initiative to Albertans.”
Ron Robison, WHL commissioner
Related information
Multimedia*
View the event photo
Listen to the news conference
Watch the news conference
*Will be available after the event
Media inquiries
Amanda LeBlanc
Amanda.leblanc@gov.ab.ca
780-718-2857
Press Secretary, Culture,
Multiculturalism and Status of
Women
Taylor Rocca
roccat@whl.ca
403-923-2691
Communications Director, WHL
Charla Flett
communications@ajhl.ca
403-999-5734
VP Communications, AJHL
News release
Classification: Protected A
“The strength of the AJHL is its communities. Through unique and
dynamic relationships, the AJHL and its member teams are deeply
intertwined throughout the province. 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.”
Ryan Bartoshyk, AJHL commissioner
Alberta’s government is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by protecting lives and
livelihoods with precise measures to bend the curve, sustain small businesses, and
protect Alberta’s health care system.
Quick facts
ï‚· The Jackpots For Junior Hockey 50/50 will run each
weekend in March.
ï‚· WHL clubs in Alberta contribute $56M annually to the
economy annually. Alberta WHL clubs also employ 1,000 full
and part time workers.
ï‚· The AJHL contribute $56M annually to the Alberta economy.
ï‚· WHL and AJHL attendance for season games typically
averages over 1 million fans a year.
ï‚· As part of Jackpots For Junior Hockey, teams will be
required to share a portion of proceeds received with local
charities.
ï‚· On Feb. 19, the AJHL received approval from the
Government of Alberta to restart the 2020-21 Season under
the protocols of a comprehensive Return to Play Plan with
training camp scheduled to begin at the start of March.
ï‚· On Jan. 28, the WHL was granted approval by the
Government of Alberta to return to play, which will enable
the WHL’s Alberta-based teams to open their season on
Feb. 26