The Langley Trappers have been accepted as 1 of 7 Pacific junior Hockey League teams to compete at the National Junior ‘A’ Tier 1 level for the 2025-2026 season
The British Columbia Hockey Conference (BCHC) and BC Hockey are pleased to announce the alignment of sanctioned Junior A hockey in British Columbia for the 2025-26 season.
Both the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) and the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) have finalized their plans for the upcoming season. The leagues transitioned to Junior A Tier 2 ahead of the 2023-24 season. Since then, member teams have undergone an evaluation process, while the leagues have worked towards defining their structure from both a business operations and governance standpoints.
“The Junior A pathway continues to evolve,” BC Hockey CEO Cameron Hope said, “and we are very pleased with the progress to this point. The leagues continue to make solid decisions based on what is best for the long-term success of Junior A hockey in our region and their leagues. It has been of paramount importance for BC Hockey, the KIJHL, the PJHL as well as our partners and supporters that this process is done correctly.”
PJHL 2025-26 Alignment
The PJHL will transition into a two-league structure for the 2025-26 season by adding a Junior A Tier 1 league after the BC Hockey Board of Directors approved the move. The PJHL’s original 15 teams will be split with seven teams competing in Junior A Tier 1and the other eight teams continuing in Junior A Tier 2.
“This is a step forward in redeveloping junior hockey in B.C.,” PJHL Commissioner Trevor Alto said. “It is the right time to establish both Tier 1 and Tier 2 levels in the PJHL, which will allow clubs to work with their tiered partners to grow the game and set standards to enhance the player experience.”
PJHL Junior A Tier 1
- Chilliwack Jets
- Coastal Tsunami
- Delta Ice Hawks
- Grandview Steelers
- Langley Trappers
- Richmond Sockeyes
- Ridge Meadows Flames
PJHL Junior A Tier 2
- Abbotsford Pilots
- Aldergrove Kodiaks
- Mission City Outlaws
- North Vancouver Wolf Pack
- Port Coquitlam Trailblazers
- Port Moody Panthers
- Surrey Knights
- White Rock Whalers
KIJHL 2025-26 Alignment
The KIJHL, as a whole, will remain Junior A Tier 2 for the 2025-26 season. The league will transition to separate Junior A, Tier 1 and Tier 2 leagues for the 2026-27 season following recent changes to the league’s governing model that were approved by its Board of Governors in February.
“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,” KIJHL Commissioner Jeff 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. A final announcement on alignment will come in early 2026.”
In February, the KIJHL’s Board of Governors has 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
- Revelstoke Grizzlies
The following seven teams will have an opportunity 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
- Williams Lake Mustangs
The following three teams will remain in Junior A, Tier 2 for the 2026-27 season:
- Chase Heat
- Golden Rockets
- Spokane Braves
- Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What is the difference between Junior A Tier 1 and Junior A Tier 2?
A: In July 2023, BC Hockey approved the reclassification of the KIJHL and PJHL, and their 36 member clubs, as Junior A, and further designated as “Tier 2” while standards for team operation and player experience were created and implemented. A process was then established for teams to be considered for elevation to Junior A Tier 1. Evaluations took place in 2024, and for the 2025-26 season, seven PJHL teams will compete in Junior A Tier 1 and eight PJHL teams will compete in Junior A Tier 2. The KIJHL will continue to operate as a Junior A Tier 2 league for the 2025-26 season.
Q: How long will the Junior A Tier 1 and Tier 2 designations be used? Will there ultimately be a return to Junior A and Junior B?
A: The Junior A Tier 1 and Tier 2 designations are internal categories for the leagues, adopted to help manage the steps taken by KIJHL and PJHL clubs to reach Jr A standards during a time of significant change within the junior hockey landscape. As Junior A members, KIJHL and PJHL teams participate in the Western Canadian Development Model and have worked closely together as members of the British Columbia Hockey Conference. The Junior A Tier 1 and Tier 2 designations will continue to be used while this process continues, but a return to Junior A and Junior B will occur at a future date.
Q: Moving forward, how will B.C.’s Junior provincial championships work?
A: In April 2025, the KIJHL and PJHL champions will compete for the Mowat Cup, which is awarded to British Columbia’s current Junior A champions. Updates regarding the future of the Mowat Cup and Cyclone Taylor Cup, awarded to B.C.’s Junior B provincial champions, will be provided at a future date.
Q: When will a B.C. team compete at the Centennial Cup?
A: BC Hockey and the BCHC are working with Hockey Canada and the Canadian Junior Hockey League to ensure that a pathway exists for B.C.’s Junior A teams to compete for a spot at the Centennial Cup, Canada’s Junior A national championship. Further updates will be provided at a later date.
Q: How will player movement work between Junior A Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams?
A: During the 2024-25 season, all KIJHL and PJHL players were registered at the Junior A level. Their playing rights will continue to be held by their current team, regardless of whether their team is being elevated to Junior A, Tier 1 for the 2025-26 season, per Hockey Canada regulations. Player transfers between Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams can occur upon the agreement of both clubs. Any player wishing to attend a Junior A evaluation camp or main camp with a different team may only do so with the written permission of their current team.
Q: Who is Blackfin? Why did they evaluate the teams? What was the evaluation process?
A: Blackfin Sports Group, based in Vancouver, B.C., is a firm headed by former Canucks Sports & Entertainment executives Chris Gear, Chris Beardsmore and James Douglas. A total of 31 teams in the PJHL and KIJHL applied this past season to be considered for elevation to Jr A Tier 1. Blackfin was retained by the BCHC in January 2024 to manage the evaluation process, which included an assessment of each applicant’s adherence to Junior A standards and best practices.
Q: What is the Western Canadian Development Model and what is unique about it?
A: The Western Canadian Development Model is a pilot project involving Western Canada’s five Junior A hockey leagues in partnership with the Western Hockey League, Hockey Canada and each league’s provincial branch (i.e.: BC Hockey). The purpose of the WCDM is to clarify and streamline the development pathway within junior hockey in Western Canada. In Phase 1 of the WCDM, Junior A leagues adopted WHL standards around playing rules and equipment protocols.
Q: Will Tier 1 teams ever play Tier 2 teams?
A: Currently, there are no plans for competition between Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams.
Q: Will Tier 2 teams have a championship?
A: Plans involving the Mowat Cup and Cyclone Taylor Cup will be announced at a later date.
Q: Can there be movement of teams between Tier 1 and Tier 2?
A: Yes, the composition of teams within Tier 1 and Tier 2 will be evaluated on an ongoing basis.
Q: Will Tier 1 & 2 still play under the banners of the KIJHL and PJHL or will they be called something else?
A: Yes, teams will continue competing within the KIJHL and PJHL but within separate Tier 1 and Tier 2 leagues.
Q: Is there an affiliation with the Western Hockey League?
A: Yes, all players from both Junior A Tier 1 and Tier 2 are eligible to affiliate with Western Hockey League teams.
Q: What certifications do coaches require at the Junior A Tier 1 level?
A: Hockey Canada regulations require that head coaches at the Junior A level must obtain their High Performance 1 certification.
