The two BC Junior Hockey Leagues remain under the umbrella of Hockey Canada after the Vancouver Island Junior League announced it would become independent as a feeder program for the unsanctioned upper leagues.
The Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League announced Monday (April 25) that it will operate independently from Hockey Canada and the BC Hockey Conference starting with the 2024/25 season.
However, representatives from the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League and the Pacific Junior Hockey League said both leagues remain committed to Hockey Canada and BC Hockey.
“The BCHC and its member leagues are fully committed to operating under the umbrella of Hockey Canada and BC Hockey,” said KIJHL Commissioner Jeff Dubois. “Over the past year, we have invested the effort and investment necessary to advance to the Junior A level, with the ultimate goal of providing our players with a path to competing in the Centennial Cup, Canada's national Junior A championship. I went.”
In 2022, the KIJHL and PJHL established the BCHC to improve the level of junior hockey in the province and provide enhanced opportunities for players.
BCHC initiatives over the past two seasons have included the creation of a player safety department and the establishment of the Top Prospect Game, which directly led to three recent participants signing with the Western Hockey League.
“The BCHC, PJHL and KIJHL are established and provide exceptional value to our participants, fans and sponsors,” said PJHL Commissioner Trevor Alt. “We look forward to further solidifying this reputation as the impact of today’s announcement is felt throughout our state’s sanctioned Junior A world.”
The VIJHL's decision to leave Hockey Canada's umbrella was made following a board vote of its 11 member teams announced on April 29.
The statement said the decision was made to increase development opportunities for players and give them more autonomy over the future of the league.
Hockey Canada's sanctioned junior hockey has been in organizational flux since the British Columbia Hockey League, formerly the province's top junior A league, announced its independence last year.
Following the BCHL's announcement, Hockey Canada has approved the transition of BC's three former Junior B leagues (KIJHL, PJHL and VIJHL) to Junior A.
“We are very pleased with the progress the KIJHL and PJHL are making towards strengthening Junior A in our province,” said BC Hockey CEO Cameron Hope. “These leagues demonstrate a clear and continued commitment to prioritizing the safety, development and playing experience of players in B.C. and Yukon. We are disappointed in the VIJHL team owners' decision to operate outside of the community sports model and wish them the best.”
BCHC is working with Blackfin Sports Group, led by former Canucks Sports & Entertainment executives, to develop an application and evaluation process for KIJHL and PJHL teams to take the next step into full-fledged Junior A hockey. continuing.
With the May 1 application deadline approaching, BCHC expects to announce next steps in early 2025.
