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// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did the KIJHL puck say? It was frozen in its development.

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Kootenay International Junior Hockey League
Countries
  • Canada
  • USA
Founded1966 (1966)
Folded2026 (2026)
Recent championsGrand Forks Border Bruins
Most successful clubCranbrook Colts
Websitewww.kijhl.ca Edit this at Wikidata

The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) was a junior ice hockey league that operated in British Columbia and Washington (state) from 1966 to 2026. The KIJHL ceased operations in 2026 after all 22 of its member franchises withdrew from the league.

History

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Early history: 1966–1980

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The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League was founded in 1966 as the West Kootenay Junior Hockey League. Five teams joined the league in its first year and started play in the 1967–68 season. They included the Trail Jr. Smoke Eaters, the Nelson Plaza Oilers, the Castlegar Apollos, the Grand Forks Border Bruins, and the Rossland Warriors. The Smoke Eaters won the inaugural league championship, advancing to the provincial championship. Castlegar would withdraw from the league halfway through their fourth season, leaving only four teams. In 1971–1972, the Spokane Valley Kings and Cranbrook Colts joined the league, raising the number of teams to six, and incorporating an American team for the first time. Furthermore, the Nelson Plaza Oilers were renamed the Nelson Leafs. For 1972–73, the league was rebranded the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League. In this season, the Kimberley Knights joined the league, while the Grand Forks Border Bruins took a leave of absence. In 1973–74 the league expanded again, incorporating a Fernie-based team. The league did not expand for two years after this point, during a period dominated by the Colts. The next expansion occurred in 1976–77, when the Creston Clippers and the Castlegar Rebels joined the league, and the Rebels won the league championship in their debut season. Columbia Valley joined in 1978–79 season, thus bringing the league to a total of 11 teams, an all-time high.

1980–1990

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In the 1981–82 season, Fernie would withdraw from the league, while the Elk Valley Raiders (Sparwood) would join in their place. The following year, the Beaver Valley Nitehawks would join, bringing the league to a total of 12 teams. Creston would withdraw from the league in 1985, and Nelson, Elk Valley and Grand Forks would do the same in 1986. Elk Valley and Grand Forks would return the next year and Nelson in 1989. The 1980s were largely dominated by the Cranbrook Colts with a 6 championship winning streak.

1990–2000

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In 1990, the Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League was formed, creating a level of competition between the two geographic rival leagues. Cranbrook and Kimberley would depart the league in 1991, while the Golden Rockets would enter. The Rossland Warriors would return to the league the following season after a lengthy absence. In 1993–94, the KIJHL gained two new teams in the form of the North Okanagan Kings and the Revelstoke Grizzlies. North Okanagan won the league title in their first year. The following year, Elk Valley and Nelson would depart the league, while the Sicamous Eagles would join. The Eagles, too, won the league in their debut season. In 1996–97, the Castlegar Rebels relocated to Osoyoos, who played one season under the Rebels name, before being renamed the Heat. Castlegar was granted an expansion franchise in 1998–99, who was named the Rebels. In 1999–2000, the Nelson Leafs rejoined the KIJHL, winning the title in their first season back, and the Rossland Warriors relocated for a single season to Summerland. The 1999–2000 Summerland Warriors had the distinction of never having won a game, finishing their only season with a record of 0-45-0, conceding 485 goals in 45 games.

2000–2010

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The 2000–01 season saw the folding of the Summerland Warriors and the creation of the Creston Valley Thunder Cats. In 2001–02, the league was split from two to three divisions, the Neil Murdoch, Eddie Mountain, and Okanagan/Shushwap. Along with the division re-alignment, the North Okanagan Kings relocated to Enderby, becoming the Enderby Ice Kings. The Osoyoos Heat took on the name the Osoyoos Storm, and an expansion franchise was granted to Summerland, which took the name Summerland Sting. 2001–02 also saw the presence of the KIJHL's most accomplished alumnus, Shea Weber, who played for the league champions Sicamous Eagles for this single season. In 2002–03, the Princeton Posse joined the league, becoming the furthest west team in the KIJHL, and the Enderby Ice Kings folded after one season. In 2004–05, the Fernie Ghostriders joined the league from the North American Hockey League, and the following year the Golden Rockets were renamed the Golden Xtreme. They were renamed again the following year, this time becoming the Golden Jets. Also, 2006–07 saw the demise of the Osoyoos Storm, who moved to Kamloops Storm, while retaining the Storm name. In 2007–08, the league was divided into two conferences, which were furthermore split into two divisions each, dropping the Okanagan Shushwap, while creating the Eddie Mountain Conference, East and West Divisions, and likewise with the Neil Murdoch Conference. The Golden Xtreme was again renamed, this time reverting to the Rockets name. Furthermore, the Chase Chiefs joined the league in 2007–08, while the Fernie Ghostriders would capture the league title. There were no team changes in 2008–09, and the Nelson Leafs would capture the league title. In 2009–10, however, the Summerland Sting were forced to relocate to nearby Penticton, taking the name Penticton Lakers. Furthermore, an expansion team was granted to Armstrong, and the North Okanagan Knights were founded.

2010–2020

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50 Years: 1966-2016

In the 2010–11 season, the Osoyoos Coyotes were formed, and won the league title in their debut season, while the Chase Chiefs relocated to Rutland, Kelowna to become the Kelowna Chiefs. The following year, two expansion franchises were granted to Chase and Summerland, and the Chase Heat and Summerland Steam were formed. The 2012–13 season saw no team changes, while the Castlegar Rebels won the league title. The following year, 2013–14, the Penticton Lakers were forced into relocation to 100 Mile House due to low ticket sales, which stemmed from playing in the neighbouring arena to that of the Jr. A Penticton Vees, whose national success offered difficult competition. The new team was branded the 100 Mile House Wranglers. The following year again saw no team changes, and the Kimberley Dynamiters won the league title. In 2015–16, the Grand Forks Border Bruins made the playoffs for the first time in 19 years, a provincial Jr. B record and the 100 Mile House Wranglers won the Keystone Cup; the Cyclone Taylor Cup and the KIJHL Championship in their third only season against the previous year's champion, the Dynamiters. The 2016–17 season marks the KIJHL's 50th anniversary, with the Creston Valley Thunder Cats hosting the Cyclone Taylor Cup. Prior to the 2019–20 KIJHL season, the Okanagan Division was renamed the Bill Ohlhausen Division along with the KIJHL Championship renamed the Teck Cup for sponsorship reasons.

2020–2026

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The 2019–20 season was cut short and the Teck Cup was not awarded that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Jeff Dubois was named as commissioner. The Spokane Braves were forced to sit out the 2020–21, 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons due to pandemic-related travel restrictions.

In the 2023–24 season, the league raised the maximum number of 20-year-old players from five to six per team.

In the 2024–25 season, the Summerland Steam franchise relocated to Williams Lake and became the Williams Lake Mustangs.[1] The Merritt Centennials joined as an expansion team after its withdrawal from the BCHL.[2][3][4] The North Okanagan Knights franchise relocated to Quesnel and became the Quesnel River Rush.

In 2025, the league announced that 11 of its 21 teams would be promoted to form a separate "Tier 1" division in the 2026–27 season.[5] This was part of BC Hockey's plan to restructure its junior framework following the withdrawal of its only Junior A league.[6] The years-long restructuring exercise began in 2023 with the level of play being promoted to Junior A Tier 2, followed by an independent evaluation of teams seeking to be promoted to Junior A Tier 1.[7] It was expected that those teams promoted to Tier 1 would eventually apply for membership in the CJHL.[8] The promoted teams would include the Beaver Valley Nitehawks, Columbia Valley Rockies, Fernie Ghostriders, Grand Forks Border Bruins, Kamloops Storm, Kimberley Dynamiters, Merritt Centennials, Nelson Leafs, Osoyoos Coyotes, Princeton Posse and Revelstoke Grizzlies. Seven other teams, including the 100 Mile House Wranglers, Quesnel River Rush, Sicamous Eagles, Williams Lake Mustangs, Castlegar Rebels, Creston Valley Thunder Cats and Kelowna Chiefs would be considered for possible promotion after further assessments. The announcement stated that the Chase Heat, Golden Rockets and Spokane Braves would remain at "Tier 2" through the 2026–27 season.[9] On March 31 2026 the 100 Mile House Wranglers, Castlegar Rebels, Chase Heat, Creston Valley Thunder, Golden Rockets, Kelowna Chiefs, Sicamous Eagles, and Spokane Braves elected to go independent and form a new league, the Western International Junior Hockey League in response to an upcoming announcement from Hockey Canada regarding the Tier 1/Tier 2 system. It is currently unclear on which league the Summerland Jets will play in.[10]

In 2026, eight franchises announced their withdrawal from the KIJHL to form the independently-sanctioned Western International Junior Hockey League (WIJHL).[11] The seceding members included the 100 Mile House Wranglers, Castlegar Rebels, Chase Heat, Creston Valley Thunder Cats, Golden Rockets, Kelowna Chiefs, Sicamous Eagles and Spokane Braves.[11] The remaining franchises were promoted to the newly-established British Columbia Hockey Conference (BCHC) Junior A league.[12] Consequently, League Commissioner Jeff Dubois stated that "the KIJHL name and brand will go on a hiatus, at least for a season".[12]

Franchise timeline

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Teck Cup champions

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Year Winning team Losing team
1968 Trail Smoke Eaters Rossland Warriors
1969 Nelson Leafs Trail Smoke Eaters
1970Trail Smoke EatersRossland Warriors
1971Trail Smoke EatersRossland Warriors
1972Trail Smoke EatersRossland Warriors
1973Cranbrook ColtsRossland Warriors
1974Cranbrook ColtsGrand Forks Border Bruins
1975Cranbrook ColtsTrail Smoke Eaters
1976Cranbrook ColtsRossland Warriors
1977Castlegar RebelsCranbrook Colts
1978Castlegar RebelsCreston Clippers
1979Trail Smoke EatersSpokane Flames
1980Kimberley KnightsTrail Smoke Eaters
1981Trail Smoke EatersCranbrook Colts
1982Cranbrook ColtsTrail Smoke Eaters
1983Cranbrook ColtsTrail Smoke Eaters
1984Cranbrook ColtsSpokane Flames
1985Cranbrook ColtsTrail Smoke Eaters
1986Cranbrook ColtsTrail Smoke Eaters
1987Cranbrook ColtsCastlegar Rebels
1988Columbia Valley RockiesTrail Smoke Eaters
1989Columbia Valley RockiesNelson Leafs
1990Columbia Valley RockiesNelson Leafs
1991Trail Smoke EatersColumbia Valley Rockies
1992Nelson LeafsSpokane Braves
1993Nelson LeafsColumbia Valley Rockies
1994North Okanagan KingsCastlegar Rebels
1995Sicamous EaglesCastlegar Rebels
1996Castlegar RebelsSicamous Eagles
1997Beaver Valley NitehawksColumbia Valley Rockies
1998Revelstoke GrizzliesOsoyoos Rebels
1999Beaver Valley NitehawksRevelstoke Grizzlies
2000Nelson LeafsSicamous Eagles
2001Beaver Valley NitehawksRevelstoke Grizzlies
2002Sicamous EaglesBeaver Valley Nitehawks
2003Beaver Valley NitehawksSicamous Eagles
2004Beaver Valley NitehawksColumbia Valley Rockies
2005Osoyoos StormBeaver Valley Nitehawks
2006Sicamous EaglesBeaver Valley Nitehawks
2007Fernie GhostridersNelson Leafs
2008Fernie GhostridersKamloops Storm
2009Nelson LeafsKamloops Storm
2010Revelstoke GrizzliesNelson Leafs
2011Osoyoos CoyotesCastlegar Rebels
2012Beaver Valley NitehawksKelowna Chiefs
2013Castlegar RebelsNorth Okanagan Knights
2014Beaver Valley NitehawksKamloops Storm
2015Kimberley DynamitersKamloops Storm
2016100 Mile House WranglersKimberley Dynamiters
2017Beaver Valley NitehawksChase Heat
2018Kimberley DynamitersRevelstoke Grizzlies
2019Revelstoke GrizzliesKimberley Dynamiters
2020Not awarded [a]
2021
2022Revelstoke GrizzliesNelson Leafs
2023Kimberley DynamitersPrinceton Posse
2024Revelstoke GrizzliesFernie Ghostriders
2025 Grand Forks Border Bruins Revelstoke Grizzlies
2026 Kimberley Dynamiters Princeton Posse
  1. ↑ Cancelled due to public health restrictions

NHL alumni

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See also

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References

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  1. ↑ jdubois (2024-03-22). "KIJHL approves move to Williams Lake". www.kijhl.ca. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  2. ↑ "Centennials To Cease BCHL Operations For 2024-25 Season". Merritt Centennials. 31 March 2024.
  3. ↑ "KIJHL approves Merritt Centennials as expansion club". Kootenay International Junior Hockey League. 31 March 2024.
  4. ↑ Wasney, Jayden (31 March 2024). "Merritt Centennials to leave BCHL for Kootenay International Junior Hockey League". Global News. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  5. ↑ Zillich, Tom (18 March 2025). "PJHL move to 2 tiers will divide 15 junior hockey teams next season". Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News. Black Press Media. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  6. ↑ "BC Hockey announces new Junior A pathway". bchockey.net. British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  7. ↑ "BC Hockey Junior A pathway update". bchockey.net. British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  8. ↑ "B.C. Junior A leagues partner with Blackfin Sports Group". bchockey.net. British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  9. ↑ "KIJHL league structure to change for 2026-27 season". kijhl.ca (Press release). Kootenay International Junior Hockey League. 18 March 2025. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  10. ↑ "WIJHL Information Hub – Western International Junior Hockey League". www.wijhl.com. Retrieved 2026-03-31.
  11. 1 2 Kline, Betsy (31 March 2026). "8 teams leave Kootenay Junior Hockey League to form independent league". coastmountainnews.com. Retrieved 2 April 2026.
  12. 1 2 Rodgers, Paul (21 April 2026). "BCHC announced as new Junior A hockey league for province". Kimberley Bulletin. Retrieved 5 July 2026.

Further reading

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