Junior A hockey is back in BC, but it looks a little different for now

After the BCHL officially became an independent league, the thought of there being Junior A hockey in BC this season was a stretch.

There was uncertainty of when a new Junior A league would be formed in the province, but instead, Junior B teams across BC quickly jumped at the opportunity.

Today, it was officially announced, all 45 teams in the Kootenay International Hockey League (KIJHL), Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) and Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) will be moving up and designated as Junior A tier two, with the possibility of moving up to Junior A tier one status.

“Having these teams dedicate themselves to raised standards, first to Junior A tier two and eventually Junior A tier one for some, will provide more of our talented players with a better player experience at the highest level in our province,” explained Stephanie White, chair of the board of directors at BC Hockey.

“BC Hockey is confident that this transformation will strengthen the development pathway immediately and raise the overall hockey experience for players, coaches and fans alike."

This is an internal BC Hockey standards-tiering structure and there will be an independent advisory board to determine which teams are ready and when they will be ready to move up.

Teams that eventually move up to the status of tier one will then seek membership in the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL).

That membership will create the opportunity to compete in the Centennial Cup and the World Junior A Challenge, which is hosted by the CJHL and Hockey Canada.

Huge news for your Kelowna Chiefs and the KIJHL! The BC Hockey Board of Governors has voted unanimously to award Junior A status to the KIJHL and its 20 member teams!

Read the full story on the KIJHL website!https://t.co/kpYAON5Xcq pic.twitter.com/Cj3axCK2Ji

— KelownaChiefs (@KelownaChiefs) July 25, 2023

“It is important that junior aged players in BC and Yukon have opportunities to compete at a high level and eventually at the national level as part of the CJHL,” said BC Hockey CEO Cameron Hope.

The 45 teams across the three league have also made these commitments beginning this upcoming season:

• A rigorous process and analysis, conducted over the next three seasons, allowing individual teams and communities to find the level of Junior hockey most suited to them.
• An understanding that the advisory board will soon be adding other requirements aimed at optimizing the player pathway and overall experience for participants in these leagues, with the intent of increasing them each season.
• An enhanced dedication to engagement with grassroots hockey in BC and Yukon, ensuring that homegrown players receive the opportunity to compete at this level.
• Increasing roster minimums for players from BC and Yukon.
• An ongoing structure that ensures that teams achieving Junior A Tier one classification are ready to take on the added requirements and expectations of the nation’s highest-level of Junior hockey competition.

"This marks a tremendous day for the KIJHL and for all BC Hockey members who aspire to play junior hockey,” said KIJHL Commissioner Jeff Dubois.

The new opportunity for the leagues will not only help to keep local players on local teams, but also a new pathway to the WHL and other opportunities.

“The WHL looks forward to working closely with BC Hockey and their members as the new Junior A pathway is introduced and to the positive impact it will have in strengthening relations with leagues at all levels in the Canadian hockey system,” noted WHL Commissioner Ron Robison.

All 45 teams will continue to play in their established leagues during the evaluation period and the individual leagues will be releasing more information over the coming weeks.