Major Changes For Junior Hockey In BC

It was like going down the Yellow Brick Road and waiting to connect with the Wizard to grant your wishes.

When the BCHL pulled out of Hockey Canada that left a void for Junior A hockey in the province to compete for a National Championship, thus the search to fill that void.

It was at that time that both Commissioners of the PJHL and the KIJHL put things in motion to take both leagues to reach Junior A status.

In search of a name it was promptly named or called the British Columbia Hockey Conference (BCHC) which was the start of something new for BC Hockey with both leagues working to develop Junior A players.

What teams would move to Junior A Tier 1 and what teams would remain Tier 2 for Junior hockey in BC and not just how competitive with the leagues be, how will the teams separate the players in both tiers?

We received the following from both Commissioners and while there is much work to finalize this is a huge step in the direction for Junior A hockey in BC. 

For those who don’t recall years back there was two Junior A leagues, one being the BCJHL and the other called the PJHL noting that both leagues played against each other to determine a Junior A Provincial Champion.

Enjoy the read:

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 business operations and governance standpoints.

BC Hockey CEO Cameron Hope mentioned “The Junior A pathway continues to evolve,”, “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 1 and the other eight teams continuing in Junior A Tier 2.

PJHL Commissioner Trevor Alto said “This is a step forward in redeveloping junior hockey in B.C.,”. “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.

KIJHL Commissioner Jeff Dubois mentioned “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,” 

 “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 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.