A KIJHL game between the Princeton Posse and Summerland Steam.

(DAN WALTON / iNFOnews.ca)

Hockey fans can expect more B.C.-grown talent to stick around if the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League gets a more competitive classification.

Kamloops, Armstrong, Kelowna, Summerland, Osoyoos and Princeton all have teams in the KIJHL.

Last month, a more competitive league – the BCHL  – announced it was parting ways with Hockey Canada, become an independent league, so it could have more flexibility recruiting from outside of the province by helping more players reach the college level. 

“The BCHL sends more players to NCAA Division I teams than all other junior hockey leagues in Canada combined,” BCHL chairman Graham Fraser said in a media release. “During the past season there were 411 BCHL alumni on NCAA rosters, making up nearly a quarter of all Division I college hockey. That is exciting, but we aspire to do more for players and to provide a higher level of hockey for our fans. Under the current system, that’s just not possible.”

As of June 1 the BCHL is no longer classified as junior A. That impacts the Penticton Vees, West Kelowna Warriors, Vernon Vipers and Salmon Arm Silverbacks.

So the KIJHL – which is currently classified as junior B – wants to fill that void and become the province’s junior A league. It was decided at last week’s AGM to apply for the change through BC Hockey. 

“We’re hoping for a seamless transition,” KIJHL chairman Brett Holt said.

The 20 teams in the KIJHL already have training programs and facilities on par with what’s expected of junior A hockey, Holt said, adding that each community with a team has shown strong support.

"Not having a sanctioned Junior A league in B.C. creates a significant void that we are well-positioned to help fill," Holt said in a media release. "We’re looking forward to further dialogue with BC Hockey on our application and our desire to further the growth of grassroots junior hockey in our province, and ultimately a vote by their Board.”

He said many young players from B.C. move to Manitoba or Saskatchewan so they can compete at the junior A level, which is enticing for anyone hoping to play college hockey. But pursuing that path is more affordable from a player’s home province, so the change is expected to retain more talent.

Holt said the decision is up to B.C. Hockey’s board of directors, and that he's optimist the application will be approved.

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