July 2, 2024
The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League held its 2024 Annual General Meeting on Saturday, June 22nd in Nelson, with the meeting generating a number of news items that will be of interest to KIJHL fans:
OKANAGAN-SHUSWAP CONFERENCE ALIGNMENT
With the Merritt Centennials, Quesnel River Rush and Williams Lake Mustangs all joining the KIJHL’s Okanagan-Shuswap Conference, the KIJHL’s Board of Governors has approved the following re-alignment within the Doug Birks and Bill Ohlhausen divisions:
Doug Birks Division:
- 100 Mile House Wranglers
- Chase Heat
- Kamloops Storm
- Quesnel River Rush
- Williams Lake Mustangs
Bill Ohlhausen Division:
- Kelowna Chiefs
- Merritt Centennials
- Osoyoos Coyotes
- Princeton Posse
- Revelstoke Grizzlies
- Sicamous Eagles
2024/25 SEASON DATES & SCHEDULE FORMAT
The puck will drop on the 2024-25 KIJHL regular season on Friday, September 20th 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 Neil Murdoch division
- Teams in the Eddie Mountain division host teams from the Doug Birks division
- Teams in the Neil Murdoch division host teams from the Bill Ohlhausen division
- Teams in the Bill Ohlhausen division host teams from the Eddie Mountain division
The regular season will conclude on Saturday, February 22nd and the 2025 Teck Cup Playoffs will begin on Friday, February 28th.
PATHWAY TO JUNIOR A, TIER 1 HOCKEY
KIJHL team governors and staff were provided with an update regarding the ongoing Junior A, Tier 1 application and evaluation process being led by Blackfin Sports Group. As of the dates of the 2024 AGM, 12 clubs have received their site visit from Blackfin’s assessment team, with the remainder of these visits scheduled for July and August. The KIJHL expects to receive the results of Blackfin’s completed review by November 1, 2024.
CHANGES & NEW INITIATIVES
The KIJHL has once again increased the number of 20-year old players who are eligible to participate on a member club with the maximum number rising from 6 to 7 for the 2024-25 season. The KIJHL has also completed a three-year agreement with The Prospects Exchange to become the exclusive video analytics provider to KIJHL teams.
The league is also excited to announce an increased role for Mark Berry, who has been promoted to Director, Broadcast & Multimedia. Mark will work closely with KIJHL members to enhance the quality of their Flo Hockey broadcasts while also working to grow the KIJHL’s digital and video presence.
LEAGUE EXECUTIVE & COMMITTEES
Brett Holt (Columbia Valley Rockies, Eddie Mountain Division) and Jake Swanson (Beaver Valley Nitehawks, Neil Murdoch Division) were re-elected to the KIJHL’s Executive Committee, which oversees day-to-day league business on behalf of the Board of Governors, on new two-year terms. They join Mark McNaughton (Princeton Posse, Bill Ohlhausen Division) and Matt Kolle (Kamloops Storm, Doug Birks Division), whose terms expire in June 2025. Brett Holt will continue in his position as the Chairperson of the KIJHL.
Quesnel River Rush head coach and general manager Dale Hladun was elected to the KIJHL’s Hockey Operations Committee, where he joins Derek Stuart (Kimberley Dynamiters, Eddie Mountain Division), Terry Jones (Beaver Valley Nitehawks, Neil Murdoch Division) and Mark McNaughton (Princeton Posse, Bill Ohlhausen Division).
The KIJHL’s Board of Governors approved the creation of a Hockey Administration Committee, which will be tasked with projects that include an evaluation of the league’s schedule length and format as it continues its transition to Junior A hockey. Darryl Adamson (Chase Heat), Barb Anderson (Fernie Ghostriders), Sheila Devost (Sicamous Eagles) and Dave Hnatiuk (Grand Forks Border Bruins) were elected as the inaugural members of the Hockey Administration Committee.
THANK-YOU TO OUR AGM SPONSORS!
The KIJHL would like to thank our valued sponsors, Next Shift Network, Prestige Hotels & Resorts, Domino’s Pizza, Kootenay Co-op, Nelson Brewing Co., Rice & Co. LLP, and ine+ nutrition, for their support of our 2024 Annual General Meeting weekend, and recognize the Nelson Leafs for their tremendous work in hosting the event.
