BCHC AND BC HOCKEY ANNOUNCE ALIGNMENT OF JUNIOR A LEAGUES FOR THE 2025-26 SEASON

For Immediate Release

March 18, 2025

Saanichton, B.C. – The British Columbia Hockey Conference (BCHC) and BC Hockey are pleased to announce the alignment of sanctioned Junior A hockey in British Columbia for the 2025-26 season.

Both the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) and the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) have finalized their plans for the upcoming season. The leagues transitioned to Junior A Tier 2 ahead of the 2023-24 season. Since then, member teams have undergone an evaluation process, while the leagues have worked towards defining their structure from both a business operations and governance standpoints.

“The Junior A pathway continues to evolve,” BC Hockey CEO Cameron Hope said, “and we are very pleased with the progress to this point. The leagues continue to make solid decisions based on what is best for the long-term success of Junior A hockey in our region and their leagues. It has been of paramount importance for BC Hockey, the KIJHL, the PJHL as well as our partners and supporters that this process is done correctly.”

PJHL 2025-26 Alignment

The PJHL will transition into a two-league structure for the 2025-26 season by adding a Junior A Tier 1 league. The PJHL’s original 15 teams will be split with seven teams competing in Junior A Tier 1and the other eight teams continuing in Junior A Tier 2.

“This is a step forward in redeveloping junior hockey in B.C.,” PJHL Commissioner Trevor Alto said. “It is the right time to establish both Tier 1 and Tier 2 levels in the PJHL, which will allow clubs to work with their tiered partners to grow the game and set standards to enhance the player experience.”

PJHL Junior A Tier 1

Chilliwack Jets
Coastal Tsunami
Delta Ice Hawks
Grandview Steelers
Langley Trappers
Richmond Sockeyes
Ridge Meadows Flames

PJHL Junior A Tier 2

Abbotsford Pilots
Aldergrove Kodiaks
Mission City Outlaws
North Vancouver Wolf Pack
Port Coquitlam Trailblazers
Port Moody Panthers
Surrey Knights
White Rock Whalers

KIJHL 2025-26 Alignment

The KIJHL, as a whole, will remain Junior A Tier 2 for the 2025-26 season. The league will transition to separate Junior A, Tier 1 and Tier 2 leagues for the 2026-27 season following recent changes to the league's governing model that were approved by its Board of Governors in February.

“Our league faces some unique geographic and logistical challenges, and so the decision to play one more season under our current structure was made to ensure the long-term sustainability of all of our members,” KIJHL Commissioner Jeff Dubois said, “We will be taking further steps, over the next 12 months, to determine which teams will be at each level. This includes the possibility of adding Tier 2 members in new communities. A final announcement on alignment will come in early 2026."

In February, the KIJHL’s Board of Governors has approved the following 11 teams to transition to Junior A, Tier 1 for the 2026-27 season:

Beaver Valley Nitehawks
Columbia Valley Rockies
Fernie Ghostriders
Grand Forks Border Bruins
Kamloops Storm
Kimberley Dynamiters
Merritt Centennials
Nelson Leafs
Osoyoos Coyotes
Princeton Posse
Revelstoke Grizzlies

The following seven teams will have an opportunity to participate in a further assessment process overseen by Blackfin Sports Group in order to determine their status for the 2026-27 season:

100 Mile House Wranglers
Castlegar Rebels
Creston Valley Thunder Cats
Kelowna Chiefs
Quesnel River Rush
Sicamous Eagles
Williams Lake Mustangs

The following three teams will remain in Junior A, Tier 2 for the 2026-27 season:

Chase Heat
Golden Rockets
Spokane Braves

The BCHC and BC Hockey along with both the KIJHL and the PJHL have created a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page as an information portal for this transition. The FAQ will supply information on such topics as the evaluation process for Tier 1 readiness, Western Canadian Delivery Model, player movement and tampering, CJHL membership, key differences between Tier 1 and Tier 2, and much more.

To watch teams from both leagues battle for the right to compete in the Mowat Cup visit www.pjhl.net and www.kijhl.ca and follow all of the playoff action!

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