Recent Hamilton Hurricanes News
Find out when each CJFL team opens main camp
The CJFL is under 30 days until the kick-off of the 2024 season with the BC Conference opening on Saturday July 20th.
There are three teams that have already kicked off their main training camp in preparation for the season. The Langley Rams, Valley Huskers and Ottawa Sooners started this past week as each team is trying to get a jump on the season as their players battle for starting positions.
The five other teams will open their training camps after Canada Day, including the defending Cullen Cup champion Westshore Rebels on July 2, 2024.
In Ontario the defending champion St. Clair Saints are the final team in the Conference to open camp on July 26th. Following the Sooners, the Hamilton Hurricanes are next on July 2, then the London Beefeaters on July 9th.
As for the Prairie Conference, their teams don’t open training camp until after the middle of July. The Regina Thunder is the first to open on the 18th while the defending Canadian Bowl champion Saskatoon Hilltops are the final team in the CJFL to start their camp. They will kick off officially on July 28th.
Here is a list of the CJFL teams and their first day of main camp:
Langley Rams – June 24
Valley Huskers – June 24
Ottawa Sooners – June 25
Okanagan Sun – July 1
Westshore Rebels – July 2
Hamilton Hurricanes – July 2
Kamloops Broncos – July 3
VI Raiders – July 3
Prince George Kodiaks – July 5
London Beefeaters – July 9
Regina Thunder – July 18
Calgary Colts – July 20
Quinte Skyhawks – July 22
Edmonton Huskies – July 22
Winnipeg Rifle – July 22
St. Clair Saints – July 26
Edmonton Wildcats – July 26
Saskatoon Hilltops – July 28
GTA Grizzlies – TBD
CJFL and HEADCHECK Extend Partnership Ensuring Highest Standard of Concussion Management
The Canadian Junior Football League ('CJFL') and HEADCHECK Health Inc. ('HEADCHECK') are thrilled to announce the extension of their partnership. This collaboration, in place since 2021, has empowered all teams across the CJFL to uphold the highest standards of concussion management, thanks to the robust digital platform provided by HEADCHECK and invaluable insights from aggregate data trends.
Concussions pose a serious risk, potentially leading to life-altering brain injuries. According to Boston University, over 500,000 concussions affect 3 million youth football players annually. The CJFL and HEADCHECK are working together to eliminate the mismanagement of concussions. Evidence-based protocols are the foundation of concussion safety, when followed.
"The information and data we now have from HEADCHECK is very valuable," said Jim Pankovich, CJFL Commissioner. "With it, we can take proactive steps to improve player safety and measure the results. The results speak for themselves; it's hard to argue that the CJFL isn't a safer league today than before we started working with HEADCHECK."
"Overall, using HEADCHECK has made it easier for medical staff to provide the best athlete-centered care for concussion management," said Allison Frenette, PFC Executive Player Health Consultant
"The CJFL is dedicated to ensuring the highest standard of concussion management across their league," said Harrison Brown, CEO of HEADCHECK. "Collaborating with league administrators, team medical personnel, and Dr. Czarnota has been instrumental in making the league as safe as possible for the players."
To learn more about how the CJFL has been able to track yearly safety improvements with HEADCHECK, read this recent case study HERE.
June 1, 2024 players can officially sign with a CJFL team
For some Saturday June 1st is the biggest day of their young lives, as the CJFL presents its National Signing Day.
The day is earmarked every year on June 1st, the day in which players can finally sign with a CJFL club. When a player signs they are essentially signing for their entire junior football career as the player then becomes the property of that team.
So many considerations are made before signing with a CJFL club; location, team support, roster depth, coaching staff, scholarship program, etc all weighs in on a player’s decision.
National Signing Day is not only exciting for the players, but the coaches as well. Their ideas, hopes and hard work will finally come to fruition as they start to fill their roster spots.
Following National Signing Day coaches can continue to recruit and sign a player immediately if they are a good fit for their team. That said the bulk of the players ready to play in the CJFL will sign on Saturday.
Once players sign on the dotted line, coaches can begin developing their schemes and systems around their potential starters. They can also begin preparing for their Main Camp along with Week 1 of the regular season.
All three Conferences and 19 CJFL teams will participate on June 1st, signing players to their 2024 roster.
Fans can keep up to date with CJFL National Signing Day on social media with #CJFLSigningDay as teams will be posting once a player signs.
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