The Sicamous Eagles and the Chase Heat have joined five other teams in cutting ties with the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL).
As part of the announcement, the eight teams will form a new league known as the Western International Junior Hockey League (WIJHL).
“We would also like to thank our former league partners in the KIJHL for their years of partnership,” Darryl Adamson, president of the Chase Heat and acting co-spokesperson, said. “We wish them nothing but the best going forward.”
The other teams forming the new league are the 100 Mile House Wranglers, Castlegar Rebels, Creston Valley Thunder Cats, Golden Rockets, Sicamous Eagles and Spokane Braves.
With the split, it is also reported the WIJHL will not be affiliated with Hockey Canada or B.C. Hockey, a similar move made by the BCHL in 2023.
The WIJHL said more information about the league structure and future league alliances will be released in the coming weeks.
In March, the KIJHL announced it would change to a two-tier league starting in the 2026-27 season.
Eleven teams were slated to transition to Junior A, Tier 1 for the 2026-27 season, pending approval from B.C. Hockey:
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
Seven teams were given an opportunity to participate in a further assessment to try to be included in the first tier:
100 Mile House Wranglers
Castlegar Rebels
Creston Valley Thunder Cats
Kelowna Chiefs
Quesnel River Rush
Sicamous Eagles
Williams Lake Mustangs
Three teams were already designated for Junior A, Tier 2 for the 2026-27 season:
Chase Heat
Golden Rockets
Spokane Braves
The KIJHL has yet to respond to the announcement by eight of its teams, which will now depart to form their own league.
