Several Kootenay-based junior hockey teams are set to leave the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) to form a new independent circuit beginning in the 2026-27 season.
The Castlegar Rebels, Golden Rockets and Creston Valley Thunder are among eight teams that announced the creation of the Western International Junior Hockey League (WIJHL). The move will see the clubs end their affiliation with the KIJHL, Hockey Canada and B.C. Hockey following the 2025-26 season.
Other teams joining the new league include the 100 Mile House Wranglers, Chase Heat, Kelowna Chiefs, Sicamous Eagles and Spokane Braves.
Creston Valley Thunder president Brandon Buliziuk, acting co-spokesperson, said the decision is aimed at improving development opportunities and giving organizations more control over operations.
“We are pleased to announce our move to create an independent league starting next season and to operate outside of Hockey Canada’s umbrella going forward,” said Buliziuk.
“After lengthy discussions between our eight franchises, we believe this decision to create our own league will provide our players with more opportunities for development going forward.”
The departure of three Kootenay-region teams is expected to significantly alter the KIJHL’s footprint in southeastern B.C., where the league has long been a staple of junior hockey and a key draw for local fans.
Team officials said the new league will focus on expanding player development through affiliations with higher levels of hockey while also allowing clubs to make decisions tailored to their communities.
Buliziuk said the response has been positive since the announcement.
“This isn’t the establishment of a brand-new hockey league with brand-new organizations. All 8 clubs are very historic within the KIJHL and well-established franchises that have been operating junior teams. The quality remains, and in our view, the quality will actually increase,” he said.
“We really appreciate the support that our communities provide all the clubs and our players and we look forward to continuing to work with everybody to, to make sure that there’s still quality junior hockey, especially in our smaller towns in the Kootenays here and we’re very excited about what’s ahead.”
The founding members said more details about league structure, partnerships and scheduling will be released in the coming weeks ahead of the inaugural 2026-27 season.
“We would also like to thank our former league partners in the KIJHL for their years of partnership,” said Darryl Adamson, president of the Chase Heat and acting co-spokesperson. “We wish them nothing but the best going forward.”
The KIJHL has yet to respond to the announcement by eight of its teams, which will now depart to form their own league.
