The structure of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) is changing for the 2026-27 season.
Back in July 2023, the league was redesignated to Junior A, Tier B, with a path to become Tier A. In Tuesday's announcement (March 18), the league stated it will split into Tier A and Tier B, starting in the 2026-27 season.
鈥淭he landscape of junior hockey in British Columbia has changed significantly over the past two years, and this has presented exciting opportunities for the KIJHL and our members,鈥� said Commissioner Jeff Dubois. 鈥淯ltimately, it became clear that the best avenue to serve our teams and athletes would be a transition to separate Tier 1 and Tier 2 leagues and we鈥檙e very excited to make this vision a reality over the next 18 months.鈥�
In February 2025, the KIJHL's Board of Governors approved 11 of the league's 21 teams to be designated to the Tier A league, pending BC Hockey's approval:
- 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.
Three teams have been assigned to the Tier B league - Chase Heat, Golden Rockets and Spokane Braves.
Meanwhile, the remaining seven teams will participate in further assessment overseen by Blackfin Sports Group to determine which tier they will fit in for the 2026/27 season. Those seven teams in limbo are:
- 100 Mile House Wranglers;
- Castlegar Rebels;
- Creston Valley Thunder Cats;
- 琉璃神社 Chiefs;
- Quesnel River Rush;
- Sicamous Eagles;
- Williams Lake Mustangs.
鈥淥ur league faces some unique geographic and logistical challenges, and so the decision to play one more season under our current structure was made to ensure the long-term sustainability of all of our members,鈥� Dubois added. 鈥淲e will be taking further steps over the next 12 months to determine which teams will be at each level. This includes the possibility of adding Tier 2 members in new communities. A final announcement on alignment will come in early 2026.鈥�
According to the league, this new structure will also help the athletes with enhanced development and advancement opportunities within BC Hockey and Hockey Canada.
鈥淲e are very pleased with the KIJHL鈥檚 approach to ensure this transition is done properly and not rushed,鈥� BC Hockey CEO Cameron Hope said. 鈥淭aking the time to prepare will help set the league up for long-term success.鈥�
Once the KIJHL sent out the new league structure, the Nelson Leafs stated their pleasure with the news.
"Over the past two years, the Nelson Leafs Board of Directors have been busy with solidifying our acceptance into this new model of the KIJHL structure, and we have taken all the correct steps and processes to make this a reality for the community of Nelson, our players and our fans," said the Nelson Leafs Hockey Society Board of Directors in a press release.
The KIJHL's next update regarding the new format will come after the league's 2025 Annual General Meetings, which are set to take place from June 20-22 in Kamloops.
