In a year marked by growth, independence, and a steady rise in the quality of play, what鈥檚 next for the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL)?
As the league nears the one-year anniversary of its independence and a championship series set to begin on Monday, expansion remains a key topic of discussion.
VIJHL president Mark MacDonald has seen significant interest from potential new teams eager to join.
鈥淲e鈥檙e receiving calls all the time from people wanting to be part of this league,鈥� MacDonald said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e not just looking to add teams for the sake of it, but if it makes sense, we鈥檙e definitely considering expansion. Right now, we have 11 teams, and I think there鈥檚 room for more.鈥�
Currently, the VIJHL consists of five teams in the south and six in the north, but that doesn鈥檛 necessarily mean a new team would be placed in the south. Remote areas such as Port McNeill and Port Hardy have expressed interest, which could truly make it an Island-wide league.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of interest, especially in those more remote areas,鈥� MacDonald explained. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about putting teams in new towns 鈥� we need to ensure we can handle the logistics and that there鈥檚 strong community support.鈥�
Despite the enthusiasm, MacDonald emphasized that the league won鈥檛 rush into expansion.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not just looking for teams to fill out the league,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e want to make sure we can sustain new locations and that they contribute to the overall growth of the VIJHL.鈥�
While expansion is a strong possibility in the coming years, the league has already made significant strides in its first year of independence. The VIJHL left the Hockey Canada umbrella in April 2024.
鈥淲e鈥檙e rebuilding this league from the ground up, and it鈥檚 exciting to see how far we鈥檝e come,鈥� MacDonald said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e able to focus on player development while also fostering a competitive environment for our teams.鈥�
A key factor in that growth has been the league鈥檚 partnership with the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), which has provided players with more opportunities to showcase their skills on a larger stage, including participation in the BCHL All-Star Weekend.
鈥淥ne of the best things about our partnership with the BCHL is the exposure our players are getting,鈥� MacDonald said. 鈥淒ozens of players have had the opportunity to practise and play with BCHL teams, and that鈥檚 huge for their development.鈥�
Shawn Vincent, chair of the VIJHL, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the league鈥檚 role in advancing players to higher levels of hockey.
鈥淚t鈥檚 incredible to see players moving up, whether it鈥檚 to the BCHL or to college programs,鈥� Vincent said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 really what we鈥檙e here for 鈥� to give players the opportunity to succeed.鈥�
Looking ahead, both MacDonald and Vincent are optimistic about the league鈥檚 future.
鈥淚f we can continue to move players up and see them succeed at higher levels, that鈥檚 the ultimate goal,鈥� Vincent said. 鈥淲e want the VIJHL to be a place where players know they can develop and take their game to the next level.鈥�
Since becoming independent, the VIJHL has taken a different path than the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League and the Pacific Junior Hockey League, which remain sanctioned under Hockey Canada. Both of those leagues recently announced a new two-tiered structure set to begin within the next two years.
Meanwhile, the landscape of junior hockey continues to evolve, with players in the Canadian Hockey League now eligible to play NCAA Division I men鈥檚 hockey starting next season.
Regardless of the path players take, one thing is clear 鈥� the level of junior hockey on Vancouver Island continues to rise.
