KIJHL shuffle continues, North Okanagan Knights relocating to Quesnel

The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League’s (KIJHL) reach into northern BC has extended today, with the North Okanagan Knights moving to Quesnel and rebranding as the River Rush.

“The KIJHL is thrilled to be involved in the return of junior A hockey to Quesnel,” said KIJHL Commissioner Jeff Dubois.

“We’ve been so excited to see the passion and enthusiasm that has been building throughout this process and we can’t wait to experience the incredible atmosphere when the team hits the ice this fall.”

The sale and relocation of the team from Armstrong was unanimously approved by the KIJHL’s board of governors and will take effect immediately.

With the Knights relocation, the KIJHL’s geographical footprint extends 120 kilometres north and adds a third team in the Cariboo region.

The River Rush will be owned and operated by local businessman Tracy Mero, who was previously the principal owner of the Kamloops Storm since 2019 but sold the team as part of the approval process for the sale and move to Quesnel.

“As a hockey parent and coach, it’s always been a dream of mine to bring locally-owned junior A hockey back to Quesnel,” said Mero.

“I’ve seen the passion from this community over the years and I know how badly parents and kids have wanted to see higher calibre hockey back in this town so that players can stay and play close to home.

The River Rush will fill the junior A hockey gap created by the departure of the Quesnel Millionaires in 2011.

The team’s first coach and general manager will be Dale Hladun, who has extensive experience coaching, including a previous stint with the Millionaires in the 90s.

“I’m thrilled with the opportunity Mr. Mero and his organization have provided me to return to Quesnel and be a part of the River Rush hockey club,” said Hladun.

“I firmly believe the Quesnel River Rush will run a first-class operation for players, our fan base and the north Cariboo and that this organization will evolve to be among the flagship programs in the KIJHL.”

The North Okanagan Knights are the second team in the region to relocate north this spring, joining the Summerland Steam, who are moving to Williams Lake and playing as the Mustangs.

The Knights were most recently owned by Dean Keller and joined the KIJHL in 2009, seeing their most successful season in 2012-13 when they made it to the league championship, losing in five games to the Castlegar Rebels.

Further details regarding camp dates, additional staffing announcements and ticket information will be made shortly.