BCHC launches as sanctioned Junior A league
BC Hockey announced today that its Board of Directors has unanimously approved a membership application from the British Columbia Hockey Conference to become the province’s sanctioned Junior A league. As a result of this decision, a total of 22 teams — including 14 current KIJHL members — will begin play in the BCHC across three divisions this fall:
With the launch of the BCHC, all Junior A hockey in the province of B.C. will fall under one league umbrella with teams located in the Cariboo, Kootenays, Lower Mainland, the Sunshine Coast and the Thompson-Okanagan. The BCHC winner will be awarded the Mowat Cup as provincial Junior A champions.
“We continue to take measured and thoughtful steps to build our junior hockey pathways in B.C. and to restore a strong and connected ecosystem for our leagues, teams, and junior hockey participants,” BC Hockey Chief Executive Officer Cameron Hope said. “We are now positioned to return to competition for Hockey Canada’s national Junior A championship and, more importantly, to deliver a high-quality player experience for players and families.”
The return to the Junior A and Junior B designations in British Columbia follows three seasons of work by BC Hockey, the KIJHL and other junior members, and key stakeholders to ensure clubs were prepared to commit to processes aimed toward operating at a level that players and families should expect of organizations at the Junior A level. As part of this process, interested teams were evaluated by an independent third party, Blackfin Sports Group, for promotion.
“Today’s announcement marks an exciting milestone for Junior A hockey in British Columbia,” says BCHC commissioner Jeff Dubois. “For the past three seasons, these clubs have worked incredibly hard to enhance their operations and elevate the development resources available to their athletes. The results have been evident in the competitive level of play on the ice and the increased support of our fans, volunteers and sponsors. Thousands of individuals in these communities have supported us through this process, and it’s tremendous to be able to reward them for those efforts.”
In the coming days, the BCHC will be finalizing an application for membership in the Canadian Junior Hockey League with the goal of having B.C. rejoin the national organization that includes nine provincial and regional Junior A leagues, and to once again have an opportunity for B.C. teams to participate in the Centennial Cup. The BCHC will also work closely with provincial Junior B and minor hockey partners to ensure a cohesive development pathway for participants within sanctioned hockey.
“From the outset of this process, the KIJHL has been committed to the community sport model that exists under BC Hockey and Hockey Canada,” says Dubois. “We’re grateful for the many minor hockey partners who have been unwavering in their support for the return of sustainable, sanctioned Junior A hockey. We’re also excited to work with BC Hockey to determine next steps in re-establishing sanctioned Junior B hockey in parts of the province that do not currently have it, and to support athletes in those communities.”
In addition to the 13 teams that competed in the KIJHL during the 2025-26 season, the Summerland Jets will play in the BCHC on an interim basis while further steps are taken to determine the sanctioned Junior B pathway in the B.C. Interior. The Jets were approved as a new Junior B member by the KIJHL and BC Hockey in February.
In the coming weeks, the BCHC will make a number of announcements regarding plans for the 2026-27 Junior A season through its website and social media channels, including Instagram, X, Facebook and YouTube.