Puck drop date set for KIJHL season

The puck will drop on the 2025-26 KIJHL regular season on Friday, September 19, when the league’s 21 teams each embark on a 44-game schedule.

All clubs will play a total of 10 inter-conference games as follows:
● Teams in the Doug Birks division host teams from the Eddie Mountain division
● Teams in the Eddie Mountain division host teams from the Bill Ohlhausen division
● Teams in the Neil Murdoch division host teams from the Doug Birks division
● Teams in the Bill Ohlhausen division host teams from the Neil Murdoch division

The regular season has been extended by one week and will conclude on Saturday, February 28.

The full regular season schedule will be released on Wednesday, July 9, while the 2026 KIJHL playoffs will begin on Friday, March 6.

Pathway to Junior A, Tier 1 hockey

KIJHL governors and staff were provided with an update at the AGM regarding the status of the league’s Transitional Operating Plan ahead of a change in league structure for the 2026-27 season.

Six teams, including the 100 Mile House Wranglers, Castlegar Rebels, Creston Valley Thunder Cats, Kelowna Chiefs, Quesnel River Rush and Williams Lake Mustangs, have confirmed their intent to participate in Phase 2 of the Junior A, Tier 1 assessment process being conducted by Blackfin Sports Group in Fall 2025.

The league is also actively engaged with a number of communities and potential ownership groups that have expressed interest in applying for a Tier 2 expansion franchise.

The KIJHL expects to finalize its new two-tiered structure and composition at its Semi-Annual Meeting in January 2026.

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