Hello Nelson Leafs Fans,
We’re thrilled to be back on the ice for another season of KIJHL hockey!
It has been a busy spring and summer which considerable change around our league. First and foremost, I’m
pleased to welcome the Merritt Centennials, Quesnel River Rush and Williams Lake Mustangs as new KIJHL
franchises. We know that these three great communities, with passionate fans who have supported Junior A
hockey in the past, will only make the KIJHL a better and more exciting league in 2024-25 and beyond.
We extend our congratulations to the Revelstoke Grizzlies, who in April defeated the Fernie Ghostriders to capture
their third Teck Cup title in four seasons before defeating the PJHL’s Ridge Meadows Flames in a thrilling and
dramatic OT win to capture the gold medal at the Mowat Cup Junior ‘A’ Provincial Championships in Kimberley.
Thanks go out to the Dynamiters for hosting a tremendous event.
The KIJHL continues its progress as we transition to Junior A hockey and we have recently partnered with Hockey
Canada, BC Hockey, the Western Hockey League, as well as the PJHL, AJHL, SJHL and MJHL to adopt the Western
Canadian Development Model. This initiative will provide KIJHL players with even better opportunities to advance
to higher levels of hockey and bring about exciting new initiatives in future years. For this season, you will notice several changes on the ice as Junior ‘A’ leagues in Western Canada implement the WHL’s playing rules.
There are a handful of exciting dates to circle on the 2024-25 calendar, including the 2024 BCHC Prospects Game,
which will be hosted by the PJHL’s Langley Trappers on November 19th. This event has quickly become one of the
most scouted events on the junior hockey calendar and we look forward to once again watching the top young
Junior ‘A’ prospects in British Columbia.
One of the best things about junior hockey is that the start of each season marks a clean slate for all our teams –
everybody is tied for first place on opening night! I hope you and your family enjoy a great season of hockey and
wish your favourite team all the best as they compete to lift the Teck Cup in April 2025!
Sincerely,
Jeff Dubois
Commissioner
Kootenay International Junior Hockey League
