The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) will be joining the Western Canadian Development Model (WCDM) pilot for the 2024-25 season, which was just approved by Hockey Canada.
This comes after an extensive proposal was submitted in collaboration with Hockey Canada’s four Western members, their respective Junior A hockey leagues, and the Western Hockey League (WHL).
The WCDM pilot project, according to a media release from the KIJHL, focuses on strengthening the delivery of sanctioned junior hockey to participants across Western Canada.
It will create unprecedented choice and flexibility for players and their families in a system that prioritizes their unique needs on and off the ice, while evolving the opportunities offered to athletes to develop at a level that reflects their ability.
KIJHL Commissioner Jeff Dubois said joining the WCDM pilot will allow the league to align more closely with the Western Hockey League in several areas.
“One that’s going to be really important to our players is a return to visors for players who are 18, 19, and 20 years old. I know that’s something that’s going to be very welcome for that group.”
The league will be adopting large parts of the Western Hockey League rule book, which Dubois said will impact penalties, suspensions, and supplementary discipline.
“It’s really going to help professionalize how things work on that end of things. I think everything in here is great for us as a league in terms of aligning more closely with the WHL and the other things. It’s nothing but good stuff for our teams and our players, and I expect everyone’s going to be pretty happy.”
Dubois doesn’t anticipate the changes will cause any challenges for the league and its players but says it will be a significant adjustment for players, coaches, and officials to get used to.
“We’ll do our best over the next couple of months to educate everybody so we’re ready to go when that changes in September. But overall, it’s very welcome news. We’re excited to get going with it, and the parts of it that may take some getting used to will be well worth it in the long run.”
The WCDM working group consists of representatives from BC Hockey, the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, the Pacific Junior Hockey League, Hockey Alberta, the Alberta Junior Hockey League, Hockey Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, Hockey Manitoba, the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, and the WHL.
The pilot project will be reviewed on an ongoing basis during the 2024-25 season, and it is anticipated that its scope could expand in future seasons.
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