Chilliwack mayor Ken Popove doesn't believe that the Western Hockey League's impending return to the Chilliwack Coliseum is for the best.

Popove, speaking on his weekly Ask the Mayor segment on 89.5 JRFM on Thursday (March 27), stated that he chose not to attend Tuesday's (March 25) press conference and he didn't feel right appearing on-camera and supporting a move he doesn't believe in.

"There was a decision made at the table that we want to go a different route [away from the BCHL] and I don't think it was the right move so that's why I wasn't there," he said.

BREAKING: Two days after a press conference announcing 's arrival, mayor Ken Popove appeared on the morning show and stated he doesn't think the team's arrival is the right move.

He also chose not to attend the presser.

Audio below:

— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka)

He said he believes in the Chilliwack Chiefs and what that team has brought to the community.

"I just can't do that," he said, about appearing at the press conference. "I'm loyal to the team and I'm loyal to what the Chiefs have done. It's not all about the money. It's about community and how [Brian] Maloney and [Barry] Douglas have created a real aura of good young men moving forward. It felt weird not being there, but I made the right decision and it came from my heart."

Popove pointed out that it's "not a done deal" and there is not yet an official owner of the team. He stated that he thinks the expansion fee will be north of $15 million and he hopes that the new ownership group considers keeping some of the Chiefs staff on.

"The Chiefs are going to stay for next season and then away they go," he said. "There's talk of them maybe going to Abbotsford. My next strategy, when the ownership has been shortlisted, is to sit down with them and advocate for the administration that's in this building. They've born and raised in Chilliwack and want to stay here. Let's try to keep these guys employed."

The WHL announced today the awarding of an expansion franchise to the for the 2025-26 WHL season along with the initiation of a franchise application process for the , to begin play in the 2026-27 WHL season.

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— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL)

JRFM has hosted the segment with Popove for several years and the station also broadcasts Chilliwack Chiefs games.

Coun. Jason Lum was the city's representative at Tuesday's press conference, while Popove was present in the online Zoom chat but not did speak.

The new WHL team is expected to begin play in 2026-27 and opened up the franchise application process earlier this week.