Welcome to the inaugural season of the Western International Junior Hockey League. It is difficult to put into words how exciting it is to see this league become a reality. The WIJHL was built by people who believe deeply in Junior Hockey roots in BC, in our players, and most importantly, in the communities that have supported this level of hockey for generations.
As we begin this new chapter, I know there may be questions about what an independent hockey league means for our fans and our communities. The answer is simple: Very little is changing when you walk through the doors of your home rink. You will still see the same passion, competition, many of the same rivalries, and community spirit that make Junior Hockey such an important part of life in our communities. You will still see young men competing every night to win hockey games, represent their communities, and pursue their dreams. Our players will continue to work toward the same goals: developing as hockey players, earning opportunities at higher levels, pursuing education, and becoming better young men along the way.
What has changed is that we now have the opportunity to build something of our own. The WIJHL is an independent league, and that independence gives us the ability to make decisions with the interests of our players, our member clubs and our communities at the forefront. We have the opportunity to be innovative, responsive and intentional about the future of Junior Hockey in the regions we represent.
Perhaps most importantly, we do not believe independence should mean isolation. Our alliance with the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) is an important part of the WIJHL’s future. Through our Universal Affiliation model, WIJHL players can have opportunities to be called up to BCHL teams, allowing them to experience a higher level of hockey while continuing to develop within our league. That relationship represents something incredibly important; opportunity. A player who puts on a WIJHL jersey is not simply playing for the team in front of him. He is playing for the opportunity to develop, to be noticed, to earn his next opportunity and to continue pursuing his hockey and educational goals. That is what a development-principled Junior Hockey League should be about.
But while player development is central to our mission, we recognize that Junior Hockey is about much more than what happens on the ice. It is about the volunteer who spends countless hours at the rink. It is about the billet family who opens their home to a young player. It is about the sponsor who continues to invest in local hockey. It is about the parents who drive countless kilometres. It is about the minor hockey player sitting in the stands, watching a Junior player and imagining that one day it could be him. And it is about you, the fan. Without you, there is no Junior Hockey.
This first season will undoubtedly bring challenges. Building something new always does. But it will also bring opportunity, excitement and the chance to establish traditions that can carry forward for decades.
On behalf of the WIJHL Board of Governors, our member clubs, our players, coaches, volunteers and staff, thank you for believing in Junior Hockey and for supporting the WIJHL. Have a great season!
Yours in hockey,
Brandon Buliziuk
Chairman
Western International Junior Hockey League
