Two junior hockey leagues in British Columbia have reaffirmed their commitment to Hockey Canada in the wake of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League’s decision to operate independently as a feeder program for non-sanctioned leagues.
The Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League recently announced its decision to break away from Hockey Canada and the BC Hockey Conference, marking a significant shift in the landscape of junior hockey in the province. Despite this move, the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) and the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) have emphasized their unwavering dedication to remaining under the Hockey Canada and BC Hockey umbrella.
Jeff Dubois, commissioner of the KIJHL, expressed the league’s steadfast support for Hockey Canada, stating, “The BCHC and its member leagues are fully committed to operating under the Hockey Canada and BC Hockey umbrella. Over the past year, we have been making the necessary efforts and investments to elevate to the Junior A level, with the ultimate goal of providing our players with a pathway to compete in the Centennial Cup, Canada’s national Junior A championship.”
In a joint effort to advance the level of junior hockey in the province, the KIJHL and PJHL joined forces to form the BCHC in 2022. This initiative aimed to enhance opportunities for players and strengthen their pathway to higher levels of competition.
Trevor Alto, commissioner of the PJHL, echoed the sentiment of commitment to Hockey Canada, stating, “The BCHC, the PJHL and the KIJHL are well-established and provide exceptional value to our participants, fans, and sponsors. We look forward to this reputation being further solidified as the impact of today’s announcement is felt throughout the sanctioned Junior A landscape in our province.”
The VIJHL’s decision to break away from the Hockey Canada umbrella was the result of a vote by the 11 member teams, with the aim of providing enhanced development opportunities for players and greater autonomy over the league’s future.
Notably, the landscape of Hockey Canada-sanctioned junior hockey had been in a state of transition following the British Columbia Hockey League’s decision to operate independently. In response to this, Hockey Canada approved the elevation of B.C.’s former Junior B leagues—the KIJHL, PJHL, and VIJHL—up into the Junior A level.
Cameron Hope, CEO of BC Hockey, praised the progress of the KIJHL and PJHL as they move towards a strengthened Junior A level, stating, “These leagues have shown a clear, ongoing commitment to prioritizing the safety, development, and playing experience of B.C. and Yukon players. We are disappointed with the decision of the VIJHL team owners to operate outside the safe and organized community sport model of sanctioned hockey, but we wish them well.”
Looking ahead, the BCHC is actively working on the development of an application and assessment process for KIJHL and PJHL teams to transition to full-fledged Junior A hockey. They are also engaging with Blackfin Sports Group, led by former Canucks Sports & Entertainment executives, to further their objectives.
As the deadline for applications approaches, the BCHC is expected to announce its next steps in early 2025, highlighting the ongoing evolution of junior hockey in British Columbia under the guidance of Hockey Canada and BC Hockey.