The Junior B Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) has applied to BC Hockey asking that it be reclassified as a Junior A league for the 2023-24 season.
If approved, the KIJHL says all 20 clubs – including the Kamloops Storm and the Chase Heat – would transition to the Junior A level and adopt new operating standards.
“The reality for our league is that the departure of the BCHL to independent hockey has left a major hole in sanctioned junior hockey programming in our province,” KIJHL Chairman, Brett Holt, said. “The KIJHL has continued to thrive in large part due to our reputation for offering a highly affordable development path to higher levels of hockey.”
“Not having a sanctioned Junior A league in B.C. creates a significant void that we are well-positioned to help fill.”
Kamloops Storm GM Matt Kolle, who is on the the KIJHL board, told RadioNL it was a move the league had to make in order to be successful.
“Just with the direction the BCHL has gone and what they need for feeder systems, it put us in a tough spot,” Kolle said. “It’s probably put a lot of groups whether it be your minor hockey, major midget, or the CSSHL or ourselves, the three Junior B leagues.”
“The BCHL, it made its move, but it needs feeder systems, so those feeder systems become direct competition to us, and we’re competing for the same players.”
The KIJHL says its application to BC Hockey was submitted “after an exhaustive consultation process” with its partners. It says it got letters of support from all four of the regional minor hockey districts in which KIJHL teams operate, as well as 19 separate minor hockey associations.
“It was very exciting to witness the positive feedback from our partners at the minor hockey level and their enthusiasm to see increased Junior A playing opportunities for B.C. athletes,” Holt added.
“We’re looking forward to further dialogue with BC Hockey on our application and our desire to further the growth of grassroots junior hockey in our province, and ultimately a vote by their Board.”
