The puck drops on the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season today with nine games on the schedule.
On Saturday, Sept. 20, the defending champion Grand Forks Border Bruins open their title defence at home against the Castlegar Rebels. Behind the Rebels’ bench is Alex Evin, set for his first full season as head coach.
The Border Bruins are looking to become the first team to repeat as KIJHL champions since the Revelstoke Grizzlies (2018-19 and 2021-22, with COVID interruptions in between). Before that, the Fernie Ghostriders last went back-to-back in 2007 and 2008. Other organizations that repeated as champions are Beaver Valley in 2003 and 2004; Nelson Jr. Maple Leafs in 1992 and 1993; the Columbia Valley Rockies three-peated from 1988 to 1990; the Cranbrook Colts won six straight championships from 1982 to 1987; the Rebels in 1977 and 1978; the Colts with four from 1973 to 1976; and the Trail Jr. Smoke Eaters had three in a row from 1970 to 1972.
In the Bruins’ team preview, head coach and general manager Dave Hnatiuk said the group could be stronger this year.
“We’re young, we have a lot of first-year guys. We’re really deep up front, skilled, and happy with how that is looking. Our D-core is young, but we’re seeing improvement daily. Guys are getting used to the pace of the next level.”
Hnatiuk added that while the excitement level is high, their approach doesn’t change.
“With such a large turnover and only nine returning, there is a core who know how hard it is and what it takes – so for us, a new opportunity begins Saturday,” he said. “All the new players get to learn from the solid group of veterans we have.”
Grand Forks opens the season with a tailgate party as the community gathers at Jack Goddard Memorial Arena.
“They are looking forward to opening night when the banners get revealed,” said Hnatiuk. “It should be a fun opening night to kick off the season.”
Below is the schedule for games today and Saturday.
NEW FACES BEHIND THE BENCH
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Princeton Posse vs. Kelowna Chiefs – Colin Minardi (Posse) faces Rylan Ferster (Chiefs).
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Merritt Centennials at Quesnel River Rush – Jeremy LeBlanc makes his debut as River Rush head coach and GM.
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Chase Heat at Kamloops Storm – Nick Deschenes takes over behind the Heat bench, returning to the KIJHL after a stint with Kelowna.
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Revelstoke Grizzlies at Sicamous Eagles – Derek Sweet-Coulter coaches his first game as Eagles head coach and GM.
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100 Mile House Wranglers at Osoyoos Coyotes – Jackson Playfair begins his tenure leading the Coyotes.
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Kimberley Dynamiters at Nelson Leafs – Barry Wolff makes his Leafs debut at the Nelson Community Complex.
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Spokane Braves at Beaver Valley Nitehawks – Jason Greenwell begins his first season guiding the Braves.
All 21 KIJHL clubs will compete in a 44-game regular season concluding Saturday, February 28, 2026 that includes 34 games each against divisional and conference opponents and one game each against teams from the alternate conference. For inter-conference play, Okanagan-Shuswap Conference clubs will host opponents from one division in the Kootenay Conference while travelling to the other division, and vice versa.
The schedule includes a total of 462 games, including a rematch of the 2025 Teck Cup Finals between the defending champion Border Bruins and runner-up Grizzlies on Saturday, January 24th in Revelstoke.
Other notable dates include:
- Halloween (Friday, October 31) features 6 games – Grand Forks at Castlegar, Nelson at Creston Valley, Fernie at Quesnel, Chase at Revelstoke, Columbia Valley at Spokane, 100 Mile House at Williams Lake.
- KIJHL Holiday Break – Sunday, December 21 through Sunday, December 28 with the Spokane Braves visiting the Nelson Leafs to kick off the post-holiday schedule on Monday, December 29.
- New Year’s Eve (Wednesday, December 31) features 4 games – Nelson at Beaver Valley, Creston Valley at Columbia Valley, Kamloops at Revelstoke, Castlegar at Spokane.
