Hello 2026-27 Spruce Grove Saints

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Opening night in the BCHL! It is go time for the Spruce Grove Saints!

Per Brian Wiebe of BCHL Network, ahead of 2025-26 season the league simplified their roster rules, "every team must roster a minimum of 10 Canadians. The rest of the lineup – whether Americans or players from Europe and beyond – is wide open"  From the BCHL June 2026 Annual General Meeting notes the only roster modification noted was the downsizing to a 23-man instead of 25. 

The lineup the Spruce Grove Saints posted on their website lists 15 Canadians! As of this writing, the Blackfalds Bulldogs and Brooks Bandits rosters each have just the minimum 10 Canadians while the Okotoks Oilers and Sherwood Park Crusaders rosters are not yet posted.

Of the 15 Canadians on the Saints, 7 are defenseman. That means if Brodie Kay (United Kingdom) misses a game, the Saints will ice an all-Canadian D unit. Both goaltenders for Spruce Grove are also Canadian. 

8 of the 15 Canadians are Albertan. Forward Adam Perron and goaltender Colten Scott are from Calgary. Brett Barnes represents Edmonton.

The other five are from locales as small as Irma (477 population per 2021 census). The ironic part of small town Irma is that is where 6'7" Blair Erickson hails from. The hamlet of Adrossan, population of 1,238 per the 2024 census, gave the Saints their second tallest d-man in Gabriel Kenny. 

Is this as Albertan and Canadian as if the team had stayed in the AJHL? No. Leaving Hockey Canada, for better or worse, focused on expanding the player pool. Will presumably leading the International East Division (the all Alberta Division) in Canadians help lead to success? 

The Saints finished last regular season 15-9 after a coaching change. Six forwards, four defenseman and Joseph Quintilio in net all return from last season. Will that help them ascend the standings?

The answers to the questions begin tonight. The promo picture at the top of this article is directly from the Saints social media. 

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