New-look PJHL involves Junior B hockey in Surrey, White Rock, Cloverdale<\/p>\n
Published 11:55 am Wednesday, April 22, 2026<\/p>\n
B.C.\u2019s junior hockey landscape is changing again with the arrival of British Columbia Hockey Conference (BCHC), a new 22-team Junior A league launching this fall.<\/p>\n
The BC Hockey-sanctioned BCHC will include Delta Ice Hawks and seven other teams exiting the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL), which continues as an eight-team Junior B circuit for Surrey Knights, White Rock Whalers, Cloverdale HC and other franchises.<\/p>\n
The BCHC will rival BC Hockey League (BCHL, Surrey Eagles included), which left Hockey Canada in 2023 in a move to give players a better pathway to NCAA teams in the U.S.<\/p>\n
The new BCHC will involve eight teams from the PJHL and 14 from Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL).<\/p>\n
The new league aims to \u201cbuild our junior hockey pathways in B.C. and to restore a strong and connected ecosystem for our leagues, teams, and junior hockey participants,\u201d BC Hockey CEO Cameron Hope says in a post on bchchockey.ca<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are now positioned to return to competition for Hockey Canada\u2019s national Junior A championship and, more importantly, to deliver a high-quality player experience for players and families.\u201d<\/p>\n Alongside the launch of the BCHC, \u201cwe are just as excited to be restoring sensible pathways for junior aged hockey players with exceptional Junior B hockey in our communities,\u201d BC Hockey\u2019s website says.<\/p>\n The eight PJHL teams, which played under a temporary Junior A Tier 2 designation last season, will again compete for the Cyclone Taylor Cup as the provincial Junior B championship.<\/p>\n As a Junior B U20 development league, the new-look PJHL will include Abbotsford Pilots, Aldergrove Ironmen, Cloverdale HC, Mission City Outlaws, North Vancouver Wolf Pack, Port Moody Panthers, Surrey Knights and White Rock Whalers.<\/p>\n Asked about junior hockey changes, Surrey Knights owner John Craighead sent a statement to the Now-Leader.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Pacific Junior Hockey League is excited about the continued evolution of junior hockey in British Columbia following the recent announcement from BC Hockey,\u201d the statements reads.<\/p>\n \u201cOur group is energized by the opportunity to help strengthen a clear and supported pathway for players \u2014 from minor hockey through Junior B, into Junior A, and beyond to leagues such as the Western Hockey League and post-secondary opportunities including the National Collegiate Athletic Association.<\/p>\n \u201cWith BC Hockey\u2019s support and a meaningful role in shaping the future, there is a real opportunity to build Junior B the right way,\u201d league representatives said. \u201cThis is about creating a stable, development-focused environment where every level of the game has purpose and support.\u201d<\/p>\n