By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

jets' scheifele among penticton owners

Western Hockey League expanding to Penticton and Chilliwack

Mar 24, 2025 | 12:18 PM

The Western Hockey League is coming to Penticton, B.C. starting in the 2025-26 season.

The WHL made the big announcement Monday, with the bonus big news that it is initiating a franchise application process for Chilliwack, B.C., to begin play there in the 2026-27 campaign.

The expansion increases the number of teams in the league to 24 by 2026-27, with 18 teams in western Canada and six in the United States.

Penticton will join the B.C. Division in the Western Conference.

“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.

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“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.”

The Penticton franchise will be owned and operated by Graham Fraser, who’s been the majority owner of the British Columbia Hockey League’s Penticton Vees since June 2008. Fraser will migrate the junior A franchise to the WHL.

Winnipeg Jets forward Mark Scheifele, former New York Rangers goaltender Mike Richter, and prominent Penticton businessmen Joe Walters and Gord Kovacik will join Fraser as partners.

In Chilliwack, the municipality is set to invest $3.7 million into rink upgrades at the Chilliwack Coliseum — former home of the Chilliwack Bruins, who played there from 2006-2011 before relocating to become the Victoria Royals.

Interested parties will be invited to present a plan including a vision for hockey operations, community integration, and business operations, which will be evaluated by the WHL Commissioner and Executive Committee.

The WHL anticipates announcing the outcome of the franchise application process prior to the start of the 2025-26 WHL season.

Meantime, the BCHL says the Vees ownership will retain league membership, and will look to relocate in the near future. The Chilliwack Chiefs, whom the league notes had no involvement in the city’s WHL’s expansion process, remain committed to the BCHL and will play next season.

“The BCHL remains committed to advancing its position as one of the world’s premier college-tracking junior hockey leagues,” said Rich Murphy, Chairman of the BCHL Board of Governors. “We thank the Vees organization for their contributions to the league and we look forward to continuing to work with them as they move forward with their relocation. In addition, we are please to have the Chiefs organization in the BCHL next season and beyond.”

Murphy says the BCHL continues to evolve as junior hockey undergoes significant changes.

“It’s foundation remains solid,” he concluded. “The league is committed to its mission of creating an environment for student athletes to develop, not only on the ice, but away from it as well, in the gym and in the classroom.”

As a member of the BCHL, there will be no interruption to the Vees current season. Further details about their relocation will be provided at a later date.

(with files from The Canadian Press)

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