KIJHL remains committed to sanctioned hockey despite VIJHL going independent

(Supplied by KIJHL)

The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League has no plans to follow suit with the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League and go independent.

The VIJHL announced today that they will no longer operate under the sanctioning of Hockey Canada and BC Hockey.

The British Columbia Hockey Conference which consists of the KIJHL and the Pacific Junior Hockey League will continue as usual.

“The BCHC and its member leagues are fully committed to operating under the Hockey Canada and BC Hockey umbrella,” said KIJHL commissioner Jeff Dubois in a release.

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“Over the past year, we have been making the necessary efforts and investments to elevate to the Junior A level, with the ultimate goal of providing our players with a pathway to compete in the Centennial Cup, Canada’s national Junior A championship.”

The VIJHL’s move is similar to what the BCHL did last year.

MORE: BCHL votes to separate from Hockey Canada, become independent league (May 1, 2023)

Since that decision, the KIJHL and PJHL were reclassified as Junior A leagues.


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