Proud Members of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League

July 25, 2023
Saanichton, B.C. – BC Hockey is thrilled to announce a new pathway for Junior A hockey in British Columbia and Yukon beginning in the 2023-24 season.
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. This reclassification also ushers in an exciting structure for improved development for players within BC Hockey. 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.
“We are excited about the opportunities this new pathway will create for junior hockey players in B.C. and Yukon,” Stephanie White, Chair of the Board of Directors at BC Hockey said. “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 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 WHL is very pleased to see the progress BC Hockey and their members are making in building a new Junior A opportunity in the province of B.C.,” stated WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “The WHL looks forward to working closely with BC Hockey and their members as the new Junior A pathway is introduced and to the positive impact it will have in strengthening relations with leagues at all levels in the Canadian hockey system.”
Examples of the commitments made unanimously by each of the 45 teams now joining the Junior A classification include;
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.
“BC Hockey is committed to this new Junior A landscape. These already strong teams and leagues have earned their opportunity to fill this layer of the pathway,” BC Hockey Chief Executive Officer, Cameron Hope said. “It is important that junior aged players in B.C. and Yukon have opportunities to compete at a high level, and eventually at the national level as part of the CJHL.”
All reclassified teams will continue to participate in their established leagues – the KIJHL, the PJHL and the VIJHL, 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. Please follow them to stay up to date with all new developments.
The Glacier Kings would like to thank all of the Alumni participants, players, coach’s, volunteers and businesses that supported our event.
Congratulations: Your Amazing efforts have established the Alumni Scholarship/Bursary Fund.
We look forward to presenting assistance to a candidate(s) at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Saturday April 22nd, 2023 @ 6:45pm
Tickets at the door!
Thanks Charlie for the great video!
Billet families are an essential part of our organization. By inviting an Glacier King player into your home and having them become a part of your family, you are providing them a home away from home for the season. By opening their homes, billet families ensure that players have a stable, safe and secure home to live in so they are able to play for and harness their full potential on the ice, at home, in school, and in the community.
Billet families are financially compensated with a monthly stipend of $700.00 (per player) to assist with the expense of food and housing.
For the first time in 6 years the Glacier Kings are going to the Playoffs!!
The Glacier Kings would like to welcome Mike Nesbitt as our new Head Coach and General Manager. We would also like to welcome Mike’s wife Erica and son’s Austin, Bailey and Trent. Mike comes to us with over 20 years of coaching and managing hockey experience. Most recently Mike was the Head Coach and General Manager of the Ponoka Stampeders of the HJHL and before that he was a Coach with the Oshawa Generals Midget AAA's of the ETA. If your looking to become a Glacier King please contact Mike Nesbitt @ glacierkings.gm@gmail.com or 403-550-7926
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