BC Hockey Announces New Junior A Pathway

A new pathway has been carved for Junior A hockey in British Columbia and Yukon beginning in the 2023-24 season, and the change will affect the Campbell River Storm & the Comox Valley Glacier Kings.

“We are excited about the opportunities this new pathway will create for junior hockey players in B.C. and Yukon,” said Stephanie White, Chair of the Board of Directors at BC Hockey.

“Having these teams dedicate themselves to raised standards, first to Junior A Tier 2, and eventually Junior A Tier 1 for some, will provide more of our talented players with a better player experience at the highest level in our province. BC Hockey is confident that this transformation will strengthen the development pathway immediately, and raise the overall hockey experience for players, coaches, and fans alike."

The junior hockey landscape in B.C. and Yukon will undergo a transformation that will see current Junior B teams in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL), the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL), and the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) commit immediately to an enhanced player experience and increased grassroots engagement, as a part of a reclassification as Junior A.

Teams will be subject to an internal BC Hockey standards-tiering structure, with all teams starting as Tier 2.

The reclassification of these leagues to Junior A was unanimously approved by the BC Hockey Board of Directors.

The new Junior A leagues will take their place in Hockey Canada’s Canadian Development Model, which strengthens the game at elite levels, in partnership with the Western Hockey League (WHL) and the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL).

The future goal for those teams achieving Junior A Tier 1 status will be to eventually seek membership with the CJHL.

Such membership would open the door to competition for the Centennial Cup, Canada’s Junior A National Championship, and eligibility for players and bench staff for Hockey Canada’s and the CJHL’s World Junior A Challenge.

All reclassified teams will continue to participate in their established leagues during the evaluation period.

Each Junior league will be announcing further information and schedules via their websites and social media in the coming days and weeks.