We are now less than two months away from the return of the Heritage Junior Hockey League (HJHL) and teams are anxious to get the campaign underway.  

Like most hockey in the province, the 2020-2021 HJHL season was virtually wiped out by COVID-19. 

This year organizers are hoping for a much better year and the schedule for the league has been released.

The regular season will begin on Sept. 10 when the High River Flyers, who return to the HJHL following a one-year hiatus, play the Okotoks Oilers at the Murray Arena.

The season for the hometown Airdrie Thunder will start one week later with the arch-rival Red Deer Vipers in town to face the Thunder.  Teams are now scheduled to play a 42 game season, up from 36 in previous years.

The Thunder are planning their Main Camp to go on Sept. 7 and 9.

Along with the Flyers' return, a new team is joining the league. The Kainai Junior Braves will make its appearance in the South Division playing its first game in Cochrane against the Generals on Sept. 11.

The addition of the two teams to the South Division means that the HJHL will be a balanced league this year with 16 teams, eight in each division, the largest number of teams that has ever played in league history.  

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