The Complete Guide to the BCHC and WIJHL: B.C.'s Two New Junior Hockey Leagues
If your player is looking at junior hockey in British Columbia this season, the map you remember is gone. The KIJHL — the league most B.C. families knew below the BCHL — no longer operates. In its place are two brand-new leagues that split the old teams between them: the British Columbia Hockey Conference (BCHC), a 22-team league sanctioned by Hockey Canada as B.C.'s Junior A circuit, and the Western International Junior Hockey League (WIJHL), a 10-team independent league that works closely with the BCHL.
Both leagues dropped the puck on their first-ever seasons in September 2026. That means no track record, no history page, and a lot of conflicting information in hockey-parent group chats. This guide lays out what each league actually is, every team and its current record, how roster rules differ, what it costs, and the one rule that matters most before you commit: Hockey Canada's September 30 deadline.
What Happened: How B.C. Junior Hockey Split in Two
The short version: when the BCHL left Hockey Canada, B.C. lost its sanctioned Junior A league. BC Hockey rebuilt one out of the KIJHL and PJHL, and eight KIJHL teams refused to go along.
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| 2023 | The BCHL leaves Hockey Canada; BC Hockey later reclassifies the KIJHL as Junior A Tier 2 |
| March 28, 2026 | BC Hockey's board approves the BCHC as the province's sanctioned Junior A league |
| March 31, 2026 | Eight KIJHL teams announce they will leave Hockey Canada and form the WIJHL |
| April 21, 2026 | BCHC announced: 14 KIJHL teams + 8 PJHL teams = 22 clubs |
| May 21, 2026 | WIJHL adds an expansion team in Enderby |
| June 1, 2026 | WIJHL officially becomes an independent league |
| June 12, 2026 | WIJHL adds an expansion team in Oliver, reaching 10 clubs |
| July 30, 2026 | BCHC releases schedule and realigns into four divisions |
| Sept 10, 2026 | BCHC opens its first season (Delta at Richmond) |
| Sept 17, 2026 | Matt Holbrook named WIJHL Commissioner and BCHL Deputy Commissioner |
| Sept 18, 2026 | WIJHL opens its first season with all 10 teams |
The eight WIJHL founders were the 100 Mile House Wranglers, Castlegar Rebels, Chase Heat, Creston Valley Thunder, Golden Rockets, Kelowna Chiefs, Sicamous Eagles and Spokane Braves. The KIJHL's website now points visitors to the BCHC, and the league itself is dormant.
BCHC vs. WIJHL at a Glance
The biggest difference isn't on the ice. It's which governing body your player is registered under, and that decides where else they can play this season.
| BCHC | WIJHL | |
|---|---|---|
| Governing body | Hockey Canada / BC Hockey (sanctioned) | Independent (not Hockey Canada) |
| Classification | Junior A | No official tier; league declines to classify itself |
| Closest higher-level partner | WHL (sanctioned pathway) | BCHL (shared commissioner, BCHL discipline dept., BCHL All-Star weekend) |
| Teams | 22 in four divisions | 10 in two divisions (9 in B.C., 1 in Washington) |
| Regular season | 50 games, Sept 10 – Feb 28 | 44 games, Sept 18 – late Feb |
| Playoffs | Top 4 per division, four best-of-7 rounds | Top 4 per division, best-of-7 series from March 5 |
| Average player age (avg. of team averages) | 18.5 | 17.8 |
| National championship | Centennial Cup — only if the CJHL approves its membership (pending) | None |
| Former league of most teams | KIJHL (14) and PJHL (8) | KIJHL (8 founders + 2 expansion) |
Average ages are THR calculations from Elite Prospects team averages for 2026-27 and include every player listed on a team this season.
The BCHC: B.C.'s Sanctioned Junior A League
The BCHC is now the only Hockey Canada–sanctioned Junior A league in B.C. Its 22 clubs were screened by an independent third party, Blackfin Sports Group, before being admitted. The league says it is the province's pathway to the WHL, NCAA, U SPORTS and pro hockey, and it has signed a development agreement with the PJHL (now Junior B again) for player affiliation and call-ups.
Two honest caveats. First, the BCHC has applied to the Canadian Junior Hockey League, but as of publication THR has not seen confirmation of approval, so a Centennial Cup berth this season is not guaranteed. Second, even supporters admit the open question: whether a league built mostly from former Junior B clubs plays at a true Junior A level in year one.
Each team plays 50 games (25 home, 25 away). The top four in each division make the playoffs, and the first two rounds stay within divisions. The league's first Prospects Game is November 24, 2026, at Sungod Arena in Delta.
Records below are through games of October 15, 2026 (GP-W-L-OTL, points). Early-season samples are small; teams have played between 7 and 13 games.
Mainland Division (6 teams)
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Ice Hawks | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 17 |
| Ridge Meadows Flames | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 16 |
| Richmond Sockeyes | 13 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 13 |
| Port Coquitlam Trailblazers | 11 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 11 |
| Coastal Tsunami | 11 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 9 |
| Burnaby Steelers | 9 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 1 |
Valley Division (5 teams)
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Langley Trappers | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 14 |
| Chilliwack Jets | 10 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 12 |
| Osoyoos Coyotes | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| Princeton Posse | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 10 |
| Summerland Jets | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 10 |
Interior Division (5 teams)
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revelstoke Grizzlies | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 14 |
| Kamloops Storm | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 13 |
| Merritt Centennials | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 11 |
| Williams Lake Mustangs | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
| Quesnel River Rush | 10 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 9 |
Kootenay Division (6 teams)
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kimberley Dynamiters | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 15 |
| Fernie Ghostriders | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 12 |
| Beaver Valley Nitehawks | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 12 |
| Nelson Leafs | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 7 |
| Grand Forks Border Bruins | 8 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 2 |
| Columbia Valley Rockies | 10 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 2 |
The early split is sharp. Kimberley is +30 in goal differential through nine games, while Burnaby (0-8-1), Columbia Valley (1-9-0) and Grand Forks (1-7-0) have combined for two wins. A gap that wide this early suggests the league's competitive floor is still settling, which is worth weighing if your player is choosing between a contender and a rebuilding club.
Source: Elite Prospects BCHC standings, checked October 16, 2026.
The WIJHL: The Independent League Tied to the BCHL
The WIJHL operates outside Hockey Canada, and its closest partner is the independent BCHL. The ties are concrete: the WIJHL commissioner, Matt Holbrook, is also the BCHL's Deputy Commissioner, the BCHL's Department of Player Safety handles WIJHL discipline, and WIJHL players will take part in the BCHL's 2027 All-Star weekend. Local coverage has described the WIJHL as the BCHL's official feeder league, though the WIJHL's own FAQ says its teams chose independence without BCHL influence.
The league says independence lets its players affiliate with higher independent leagues and draw from a bigger player pool. It has signed affiliation deals with independent academies and youth programs, including Abbotsford Venom, Thunder HC, Stars Hockey Academy and Riggers Hockey Academy. The WIJHL also refuses to give itself a tier label, saying its on-ice product will speak for itself.
Each team plays 44 games: 28 inside its division and 16 against the other. Video review is in use, and games stream on FloHockey.
Records below are as of October 16, 2026 (GP-W-L-OTL, points).
North Division (5 teams)
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Rockets | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 15 |
| Enderby Icemen | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 12 |
| 100 Mile House Wranglers | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 8 |
| Sicamous Eagles | 8 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 3 |
| Chase Heat | 8 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 3 |
South Division (5 teams)
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelowna Chiefs | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 12 |
| Spokane Braves | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 11 |
| Oliver Outlaws | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 11 |
| Castlegar Rebels | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 8 |
| Creston Valley Thunder | 9 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 5 |
Two storylines stand out. Golden and Spokane are the only unbeaten teams in regulation. And both expansion clubs are winning right away: Enderby is 6-2 and Oliver is 5-1-1, ahead of several founding members. In an independent league, a new team can recruit from anywhere, so expansion doesn't mean a rebuild.
WIJHL Roster Rules for 2026-27
The WIJHL published its rules in August:
- Maximum 25 active roster spots, plus one extra card for a third goalie
- Up to 21 dressed per game (19 skaters, 2 goalies)
- Canadian teams need at least 13 Canadian citizens; the U.S.-based Spokane Braves need at least 13 U.S. citizens
- Maximum six 20-year-olds at once
- At least two players under 18 and at least four rookies
- One 15-year-old may be carded for the full season; no cap on 16-year-olds
- Trade deadline January 23, 2027; signing deadline February 10, 2027; affiliate deadline February 15, 2027
Sources: WIJHL standings, WIJHL roster rules, WIJHL Information Hub.
The September 30 Rule: The Decision That Matters Most
Under current Hockey Canada regulations, a player who plays in an independent league like the WIJHL or BCHL after September 30 cannot join a Hockey Canada–sanctioned league, including the BCHC, for the rest of that season. The WIJHL itself spells this out, and it froze all rosters for 24 hours on September 30 to keep players from getting caught on the wrong side of the line.
What that means in practice:
- This season's door is already closed. If your player is on a WIJHL roster and has played after September 30, 2026, moving to a BCHC team before next season requires going through Hockey Canada's reinstatement process. The WIJHL says that process has worked for players before, but it is not automatic.
- Next season resets. A WIJHL player is eligible for sanctioned hockey again in 2027-28.
- Camps don't count. Attending a WIJHL team's spring or summer camp does not affect Hockey Canada eligibility. Only league games after September 30 do.
If this sounds familiar, it should. It's the Canadian version of the NAHL's unsanctioned-league rule we covered in our NAHL guide. In both countries, families now have to pick a side, sanctioned or independent, before the season starts.
Rosters, Ages, and Is There a Draft?
The WIJHL is the younger league by almost a full year. Across all players listed this season, the average WIJHL player is 17.8 and the average BCHC player is 18.5. That gap is built into the WIJHL's rules, which require at least two under-18 players per team and allow one 15-year-old for the full season.
| Youngest team (avg. age) | Oldest team (avg. age) | |
|---|---|---|
| BCHC | Delta Ice Hawks (18.0) | Fernie Ghostriders (18.9) |
| WIJHL | Sicamous Eagles (17.2) | Spokane Braves (18.4) |
Why that matters: a 16- or 17-year-old is more likely to get real minutes on a younger team, while an older roster is usually built to win now. Neither is wrong, but ask the coach which one you're joining.
A note on roster size. WIJHL teams' public rosters currently list between 23 and 35 names, against a 25-player active cap. Those lists include affiliate players and players who have since moved on, so don't read a long online roster as a crowded locker room. Ask the team, in either league, how many active spots are filled and how many are genuinely open.
Is there a draft? Neither league has announced an entry draft for 2026-27. Players reach these teams through tryout camps, direct recruiting by coaches, and affiliate lists from Junior B, academy and youth programs. That makes the camp you choose, and whether a coach personally invited you, far more important than in a draft league like the NAHL. Our junior hockey tryout camp guide covers how to tell a real opportunity from a fundraiser.
What Does It Cost to Play in the BCHC or WIJHL?
Unlike the NAHL, neither league is free to play. Every BCHC player pays a $925 CAD league fee before his first game, according to the BCHC's league fee page; the KIJHL charged the same amount. On top of that come a monthly billet fee and a team fee. Teams in both leagues confirm they charge both, but no team publishes its team fee, so ask for it in writing.
Here's what a season costs for a player who lives with a billet family (all figures in Canadian dollars):
| Cost | Ballpark (CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| League fee | $925 | Paid by every player to the league before his first game |
| Billet (room and board) | $650–$900 per month; about $4,500–$6,300 for September to March | What teams pay host families, and teams like Golden collect it from players and pass it through. Playoff months add more. |
| Team fee | Not published | Ask what it covers and whether any of it is refunded if your player is released or traded |
| Equipment | Varies | Teams supply team-specific gear; players bring a full set |
| School | Varies | Ask which local school or college players attend |
| Family travel | About $275–1,100+ per trip (estimate) | B.C. distances are long; Fernie to Richmond is a full day's drive |
Add it up and a billeted player pays roughly $5,400–$7,200 CAD before the team fee, equipment and travel. Players at the six Mainland teams (the former PJHL clubs) who live at home skip the billet cost entirely.
Two things families miss. First, the Spokane Braves are U.S.-based while every other team is in Canada, so its fees may be billed in U.S. dollars; ask before comparing numbers. Second, ask about release fees: B.C. junior clubs have charged them when a player wants to leave mid-season. Get the release policy in writing before you sign.
Where Players Go Next: Advancement
The WIJHL publishes an advancement list, and it's worth reading closely. Of 35 listed moves (34 players), four went to Junior A (three to the BCHL, one to the AJHL) and two went to NCAA Division III. Most of the rest went to U.S. club college hockey (ACHA) or Canadian college leagues.
| Destination | Listed moves |
|---|---|
| U.S. club college (ACHA) | 17 |
| Alberta college (ACAC) | 6 |
| B.C. university club (BCIHL) | 4 |
| Junior A (BCHL, AJHL) | 4 |
| NCAA Division III | 2 |
| Pro / overseas | 2 |
| Total | 35 |
Every listed move comes from the eight founding clubs, so these reflect those teams' KIJHL years, not what the WIJHL's new BCHL ties will produce. That's the number to watch: if the BCHL relationship is real, the BCHL count should rise in 2027.
The BCHC has no league-wide advancement record yet. Its teams come from two leagues with different histories, so ask each team directly how many players it moved to the BCHL, AJHL, WHL, U SPORTS and NCAA in the last three seasons.
Source: WIJHL Advancement page, checked October 16, 2026.
Which League Fits Your Player?
There's no universally better choice. It comes down to which pathway your player is aiming at.
The BCHC is likely the better fit if your player is a WHL prospect or wants to keep that door open, wants to stay inside Hockey Canada for national-team or Centennial Cup opportunities, or is a B.C. player who values a sanctioned Junior A label on a résumé.
The WIJHL is likely the better fit if your player's target is the BCHL and NCAA route through independent hockey, is 15 to 17 and needs a league built around younger rosters, or comes from an independent academy that already affiliates with the WIJHL.
Be cautious with either if you're counting on year-one promises. Both leagues are weeks old. Neither has a single completed season, and neither league's sales pitch has been tested yet.
How to Research a BCHC or WIJHL Program
With no league history to lean on, team-level research matters more than usual:
- Ask for three-year advancement numbers from the team's old league, by destination (BCHL, AJHL, WHL, NCAA, U SPORTS, ACHA). A list of names is better than a percentage.
- Get the full fee sheet in writing, including billet fees, refund terms and release fees.
- Ask about coaching stability. League changes often bring staff turnover; find out how long the current head coach has been there.
- Talk to a current billet family if you can. In small B.C. towns, billet quality is the player experience.
- Read reviews from families who've been there. The Hockey Review has player and parent reviews for former KIJHL and PJHL programs, and those histories still apply to the same organizations under their new league.
The Bottom Line
B.C. junior hockey just split along the same line now dividing U.S. junior hockey: sanctioned versus independent. The BCHC is the sanctioned Junior A route with 22 teams and a Hockey Canada stamp, but no CJHL approval yet. The WIJHL is a younger, independent league whose value depends on how much its BCHL ties deliver.
Pick the pathway first, then the team. And because of the September 30 rule, make that call before the season starts, not during it. Explore BCHC and WIJHL team reviews on The Hockey Review to hear from the families who've lived it.