WHL Expanding To Penticton & Chilliwack
Photo: VisitPenticton.com
The Western Hockey League announced today the awarding of an expansion franchise to the Penticton Vees for the 2025-26 WHL season along with the initiation of a franchise application process for the City of Chilliwack, to begin play in the 2026-27 WHL season.
“This is an exciting day, as the Western Hockey League takes its next step as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players,” commented WHL Commissioner Dan Near. “Communities within B.C. produce talented young players from thriving grassroots hockey programs and we’re pleased to deliver WHL franchises to two important centres in the province – Penticton and Chilliwack. In each market the WHL operates in, we aim to serve as role models within the local hockey community, business community, and beyond. We look forward to the opportunity to continue these efforts in Penticton and Chilliwack.”
Penticton possesses an incredibly rich hockey history, a strong commitment from its municipal government, outstanding facilities, community support, and is also home to high-performance competition, including the Canadian Sports School Hockey League (CSSHL) Championships.
“We’re thrilled with the announcement that the Western Hockey League is bringing the top tier of junior hockey to Penticton,” said Julius Bloomfield, Mayor of the City of Penticton. “Our community has a long, proud hockey tradition and this represents the next chapter in our story. The WHL will bring excitement, excellence and economic activity to our town and we can’t wait for the first training camp to open.”
Chilliwack is a longstanding outpost for junior hockey in the Lower Mainland. As a growing and thriving community with dedicated municipal government, Chilliwack will quickly establish itself as a pillar of strength in the WHL.
(WHL Communications)
Chalk this up to the WHL/CHL informing Junior A not to throw rocks at the man standing pointing a machine gun. The BCHL and the teams that left the AJHL for the BCHL shot themselves in the foot leaving Hockey Canada. The WHL/CHL, will be ripe with NCAA recruits playing now, and heading to College as 19/20 year olds. ….and keep in mind it swings both ways. There is no such thing as a “4 year scholarship” – these guys get some eligibility and NCAA teams move players up the roster or move them out. In retrospect – the WHL… Read more »
Why did the Bruins leave, if it was such a great market. They’ll probably win a mem cup before the pats win again though.
They are lucky “Vancouver” has lasted. It’s a foreign country in the sense it’s asia/pacific and of course the recent Brampton-west experiment. Vancouver is in Langely.
….what the Brandon Wheat Kings have accomplished on top of dealing with a schedule/travel is beyond impressive.