BC Hockey Moves 3 Junior B Leagues To Junior A Tier

Summary

• 3 Junior B League teams in BC will now be reclassified as Junior A teams
• Three teams will follow a BC Hockey standards-tiering structure
• The move was expected after the British Columbia Hockey League cut ties with Hockey Canada

The British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) cut ties with Hockey Canada, the governing body for hockey in Canada because it wanted to give players U-18 the opportunity to participate in college hockey leagues in the United States. The BCHL started running its own operations from June 01, 2023. 

The BCHL was the main tier A system in British Columbia and with its departure, hockey fans expected BC Hockey to fill the void and the answer came on July 25.

BC Hockey To Promote Junior B League Teams

BC Hockey confirmed that it has decided to upgrade three Junior B Leagues to join its Tier A system. The three leagues that have got the nod are the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League, Pacific Junior Hockey League and Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.

They will now slot into the BC Hockey standards-tiering structure which is an internal structure and fall into Tier 2 automatically. 

In a statement, Stephanie White, board of directors chair at BC Hockey said

We are excited about the opportunities this new pathway will create for junior hockey players in B.C. and Yukon. 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. 

White went on to say that

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.

Commitments From Junior A League Teams 

The 45 teams added to the Junior A league are committed to focusing on engaging in grassroots hockey in Yukon and B.C to ensure that local players get an opportunity to play at this level. They have also committed to increase the minimum roster of players in Yukon and B.C.

The main goal for these Junior A League teams will be to gain membership into the Canadian Junior Hockey League.