KIJHL to split into separate tiers in the 2026-27 season

More changes are on the horizon for junior hockey in BC as the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) recently announced its plans to restructure into two separate leagues beginning in the 2026-27 season.

The restructuring will see some of the league's 21 teams move up to Junior A Tier 1 status, while others will remain at Junior A Tier 2 status.

“The landscape of junior hockey in British Columbia has changed significantly over the past two years and this has presented exciting opportunities for the KIJHL and our members,” said Commissioner Jeff Dubois.

“Ultimately, it became clear that the best avenue to serve our teams and athletes would be a transition to separate Tier 1 and Tier 2 leagues and we’re very excited to make this vision a reality over the next 18 months.”

The KIJHL has adopted a transition plan and 11 of the league’s 21 teams have already been selected to move up, with a few more teams possibly making the jump.

“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,” 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.”

Pending approval from BC Hockey, the following teams were assessed and are designated to transition to Junior A Tier 1:

• 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 teams will go through further assessment 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 Chase Heat, Golden Rockets and Spokane Braves will remain at Tier 2 status for the 2026-27 season.

The KIJHL is expected to announce more details on the transition following the league’s annual general meeting in June.

This week's announcement has been a couple of years in the making since the BCHL left the Hockey Canada system, creating a Junior A hockey gap in BC.

Following the BCHL's departure, BC Hockey elevated all the teams in the KIJHL, Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) and Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) up to Junior A Tier 2 status, with the possibility of moving up to Junior A Tier 1 status.

The VIJHL has since become an independent league, leaving the KIJHL and PJHL as the sole leagues looking to have teams move up.

Earlier this week, the PJHL also announced that it would be separating into two different leagues, but unlike the KIJHL, the PJHL will make the change ahead of next season.

“This is a step forward in redeveloping junior hockey in BC,” 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.”