KIJHL  

League structure changes announced for 2026-27 KIJHL season

New structure for KIJHL

Photo: Contributed

While the playoffs continue in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) the league is in the midst of major changes that could affect all of its member teams and change which clubs suit up under its banner.

The league is considering major changes to its future structure that will see the league’s 21 members compete within separate Junior A, Tier 1 and Tier 2 leagues beginning in the 2026-27 season.

In July 2023, B.C. Hockey approved the KIJHL to be re-designated as a Junior A, Tier 2 league with a defined pathway to Junior A, Tier 1 membership. All 21 KIJHL teams subsequently participated in a Tier 1 assessment process conducted by Blackfin Sports Group, with their findings having played a significant role in the development of the structural changes announced.

In February, the KIJHL’s board of governors approved the following 11 teams to transition to Junior A, Tier 1 for the 2026-27 season, pending approval from BC 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; and Revelstoke Grizzlies.

The following seven teams will be able to participate in a further assessment process overseen by Blackfin Sports Group in order to determine their status for the 2026-27 season: 100 Mile House Wranglers; Castlegar Rebels; Creston Valley Thunder Cats; Kelowna Chiefs; Quesnel River Rush; Sicamous Eagles; and Williams Lake Mustangs.

The following three teams will remain in Junior A, Tier 2 for the 2026-27 season: Chase Heat; Golden Rockets; and Spokane Braves.

However, the composition of each league won’t be determined until early in 2026 after B.C. Hockey’s board of directors gives its final approval. Until that time the KIJHL has implemented a transitional operating plan with approved alterations to its governance model.

“Ultimately, 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’re very excited to make this vision a reality over the next 18 months,” said KIJHL commissioner Jeff Dubois in a statement.

Keeping the balance

It is expected that the new structure would allow for increased competitive balance for the teams within both leagues, the KIJHL explained in a press release, with the possibility of adding new teams.

Under the new structure players will have greater advancement opportunities within B.C. Hockey and Hockey Canada-sanctioned programming.

“We are very pleased with the KIJHL’s approach to ensure this transition is done properly and not rushed,” B.C. Hockey CEO Cameron Hope said. “Taking the time to prepare will help set the league up for long-term success.”

Until the changes are made, the 2025-26 season will be played under the KIJHL’s existing league structure, with all 21 members competing at the Junior A, Tier 2 level.

“Our 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,” Dubois said. “We 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.”

• The KIJHL will provide a further update regarding planning for the 2026-27 season following the league’s 2025 annual general meeting, scheduled for June 20-22 in Kamloops.

— With files from Emanuel Sequeira.

Former Kelowna Chief Luke Kalenuik loses battle with cancer

Chiefs mourn alum's death

Photo: GoFundMe

The Kelowna Chiefs are mourning the loss of one of their own.

Luke Kalenuik, 28, who played with the Kelowna KIJHL franchise for two seasons from 2014 to 2016, passed away Feb. 26 following a battle with cancer.

Kalenuik later spent one season in Creston Valley.

“The KIJHL is tremendously saddened by the passing of Luke Kalenuik,” said league president Jeff Dubois.

“Luke was a tremendous young man who was known as a leader and beloved teammate as an assistant captain with the Kelowna Chiefs and Creston Valley Thunder Cats.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with Luke’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

Kalenuik had a rare, and aggressive form of cancer, one of only five cases in Canada.

Friends and family were by his side during his final moments.

“He was a guy who always had a smile on his face when he came to the rink and was always happy to see you, happy to be there,” recalled Chief play-by-play voice Justin McCartney.

“On the ice, Luke was a gritty, two-way competitor who was strong on face-offs and definitely the kind of player that every coach wants on his team.''

“We are terribly sad that he didn’t pull through and definitely our thoughts are with Luke’s family and friends.”

A gathering to honour Kalenuik’s life will be held at the Peachland 50 Plus activity centre on Beach Avenue Saturday, March 15. The afternoon will begin with a video presentation in memory of Luke at 2:40 p.m.

A GoFundMe page has also been set up.

Kamloops Storm awaiting second round matchup in KIJHL playoffs

Storm earn Round 1 sweep

Photo: Kamloops Storm | Facebook

The Kamloops Storm celebrate following their 3-2 overtime win in Quesnel on Tuesday night.

A 3-2 overtime win Tuesday night gave the Kamloops Storm the series-clinching victory they needed to sweep the Quesnel River Rush and punch their ticket to the second round of the KIJHL playoffs.

“Quesnel is a wagon-burner style team. They’re run-and-gun and unpredicatable, and we’re more structured so you didn’t know which side was going to win,” Kamloops Storm General Manager Matt Kolle said.

“But in this case, structure and discipline won.”

The Storm took the first two games at home, winning 4-1 on Friday and 6-2 on Saturday.

Games three and four in Quesnel were closer, with Kamloops earning a 4-3 comeback on Monday night before rookie Luca D’Amore secured the win 3-2 on Tuesday win with three points, including the overtime winner.

Williams Lake or 100 Mile?

The second round will see the Storm take on the winner of the ongoing Williams Lake Mustangs and 100 Mile House Wranglers series.

Kamloops’ would-be opponents are locked in a tight 2-2 series with the next game scheduled for Friday.

“We’re OK with 100 Mile or Williams Lake,” Kolle said when asked who his team hopes to face.

“We’ll let them battle it out. Hopefully, they go right to seven and they really don’t like each other … but we don’t mind who we play.”

The second round will likely get underway next weekend.

In the meantime, the Storm will take the weekend off and return next with a full slate of practices to keep players engaged as they await the next opponent.

The general manager is excited to see what his team can do throughout the rest of the playoffs.

Kolle said his club had a tough start to the season but has played well after the holidays due to new acquisitions and improved team chemistry.

“This is the type of team you look for,” he said. “It’s just a team you can depend on every day, working hard and doing what they can do.”

Good vibe on Mac Island

Kolle said the turnout for Game 1 was great. The game featured entertainment from the Kamloops School of the Arts Drumline.

“It reminded me of being in Europe when they played the drums all game long — the place was just buzzing and it was full house,” Kolle said. “Saturday was a little quieter. Still a great crowd, but there was a Blazers game at the same time.”

As the Storm's playoff run continues, Kolle hopes to increase the entertainment value to encourage more local fans to turn up.

The Storm were eliminated in the second round of last year's playoffs.

Game tickets are available for purchase on the Kamloops Storm website.

Home ice was no advantage as Leafs and Rebels fall in four to KIJHL playoff opponents

Rebels, Leafs get swept

Photo: Contributed

The links await for the Leafs and the Rebels as the two Highway 3A neighbours fell in four straight games to their first round KIJHL opponents Tuesday night.

The Nelson Leafs gave up the first three goals in their game against the Beaver Valley Nitehawks at the Nelson and District Community Complex and couldn’t recover, losing 4-2 in front of 510 fans.

It took until late in the first period before the Nitehawks scored, but they struck twice, at 15:37 and again with 17 seconds left in the period.

A dormant power play came alive for the Leafs after Brock Robertson gave the Nitehawks a 3-0 lead at 4:18, but Leafs captain Leighton Partington and Devon Barclay’s power play goals — in the second and third periods, respectively — were all the home club could muster.

The win gave the Nitehawks a total dominance of the Leafs over 10 games with 10 wins, closing out the best-of-seven KIJHL series in four games.

Leafs goalie Ryder Gregga was the star for the Heritage city club as he made 29 saves on 32 shots.

The Castlegar Rebels also were swept in four games on home ice when they lost 5-3 to the first place Grand Forks Border Bruins on Tuesday night at the Castlegar and District Community Complex in front of 350 fans.

The Rebels started the game strong with a goal by Brayden Rotach midway through the first period, but they gave up the next four, including one shorthanded goal, before they found their offence again in the third period.

Josh Hogman and Reid Gerrand scored to round out the Rebels scoring.