Massive Changes Coming to the Hockey Landscape in British Columbia
Photo credit: BCHL
Some massive changes are reportedly coming to the hockey landscape in British Columbia, which will have a significant effect on one of their junior leagues.
Expansion is a big topic in the game of hockey right now, with the NHL rumored to be looking at moving to 34 teams in the near future, but it appears that a junior league here in Canada is getting ready to add some more clubs to the fold starting as early as next season.
Western Hockey League expanding in 2025-26, potential to add in 2026-27
On Thursday night, a report started circulating from Ben Lypka of Abbotsford News that said some big news is set to be announced in the coming days as the Western Hockey League will reportedly be adding teams in two expansion teams.
Those two expansion teams are set to be placed in a pair of British Columbia cities - Penticton and Chilliwack.
"Hearing there could be some significant news in the coming days about @TheWHL teams possibly coming to Chilliwack and Penticton.
The BCHL is going to look a lot different next year and those could be two of the big changes." Lypka said.
The BCHL is going to look a lot different next year and those could be two of the big changes." Lypka said.
Rick Dhaliwal of Donnie & Dhali shared on social media that he's hearing the Penticton Vees, who play in the BCHL, have abstained when the league asked for declarations for the 2025-26 season.
Dhaliwal went on to add that Penticton will be joining the Western Hockey League next season and had to pay the Kelowna Rockets a $1 million fee for territorial rights.
"The BCHL asked for team declarations for next year from teams recently, Penticton abstained.
Now word Penticton has paid millions to enter the WHL as an expansion franchise next year.
They also paid the Kelowna Rockets over 1 million for territorial rights." Dhaliwal said.
Now word Penticton has paid millions to enter the WHL as an expansion franchise next year.
They also paid the Kelowna Rockets over 1 million for territorial rights." Dhaliwal said.
As for Chilliwack, who is no stranger to having a Western Hockey League team as they were home to the Bruins from 2006-2011 before their relocation to Victoria, it appears that they're set to rejoin the WHL in 2026-27.
"The talk of Chilliwack entering the WHL as an expansion team next year may be premature.
Sounds more like 2026-27." Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects said.
Sounds more like 2026-27." Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects said.
With the new agreement between the CHL and NCAA starting next season, which will allow players on Canadian junior teams to play college hockey down south, a ton of players have left the BCHL to play for clubs who have drafted them either in the OHL, QMJHL or in the WHL.
According to @BCHL_Alberta on X, a total of 55 players have left the BCHL since the announcement was made in early November.
Before the agreement was signed, the BCHL was the premier destination for Canadian players who had commitments with NCAA schools, but now, those players are eligible to suit up in the Canadian Hockey League without having their commitments withdrawn.
By coming into the Western Hockey League, it will give Penticton, and Chilliwack eventually, better competition and more from a revenue standpoint than they would be making yearly in the BCHL.
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