BREAKING NEWS: Merritt Centennials to join new Junior A hockey league in B.C.

BC Hockey announced today that its Board of Directors has unanimously approved a membership application from the British Columbia Hockey Conference to become the province’s sanctioned Junior A league. As a result of this decision, a total of 22 teams — including 14 current KIJHL members including the Merritt Centennials— will begin play in the BCHC across three divisions this fall.

With the launch of the BCHC, all Junior A hockey in the province of B.C. will fall under one league umbrella with teams located in the Cariboo, Kootenays, Lower Mainland, the Sunshine Coast and the Thompson-Okanagan. The BCHC winner will be awarded the Mowat Cup as provincial Junior A champions.

“We continue to take measured and thoughtful steps to build our junior hockey pathways in B.C. and to restore a strong and connected ecosystem for our leagues, teams, and junior hockey participants,” BC Hockey Chief Executive Officer Cameron Hope said. “We are now positioned to return to competition for Hockey Canada’s national Junior A championship and, more importantly, to deliver a high-quality player experience for players and families.”

In the coming days, the BCHC will be finalizing an application for membership in the Canadian Junior Hockey League with the goal of having B.C. rejoin the national organization that includes nine provincial and regional Junior A leagues, and to once again have an opportunity for B.C. teams to participate in the Centennial Cup. The BCHC will also work closely with provincial Junior B and minor hockey partners to ensure a cohesive development pathway for participants within sanctioned hockey.

Interior Division		Kootenay Division		Mainland Division
	Kamloops Storm		Beaver Valley Nitehawks		Burnaby Steelers
	Merritt Centennials		Columbia Valley Rockies		Chilliwack Jets
	Osoyoos Coyotes		Fernie Ghostriders		Coastal Tsunami
	Princeton Posse		Grand Forks Border Bruins		Delta Ice Hawks
	Quesnel River Rush		Kimberley Dynamiters		Langley Trappers
	Revelstoke Grizzlies		Nelson Leafs		Port Coquitlam Trailblazers
	Summerland Jets				Richmond Sockeyes
	Williams Lake Mustangs				Ridge Meadows Flames

In addition to the 13 teams that competed in the KIJHL during the 2025-26 season, the Summerland Jets will play in the BCHC on an interim basis while further steps are taken to determine the sanctioned Junior B pathway in the B.C. Interior. The Jets were approved as a new Junior B member by the KIJHL and BC Hockey in February.

In the coming weeks, the BCHC will make a number of announcements regarding plans for the 2026-27 Junior A season through its website and social media channels, including Instagram, X, Facebook and YouTube.