This is the 2023-24 Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League season This is the league's 59th season.
Elevation to Junior A Tier-II[]
As a response to the British Columbia Hockey League withdrawing from Hockey Canada effective June 1, 2023; on June 17, 2023 the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League announced that it had applied with BC Hockey to be classified as Junior A for the 2023-24 season along with all of its' membership.[1] Followed by the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League announcing on July 11, 2023 that it had applied with BC Hockey to be classified as Junior A for the 2023-24 season along with all of its' membership, [2] with the Pacific Junior Hockey League expected to do the same shortly there after.[3] On July 25, 2023 BC Hockey would elevate all three leagues to Junior A Tier-II (a name which previously didn't exist in Hockey Canada's pyramid of levels for junior hockey). The teams would have to meet certain standards to have the possibility of being elevated to Junior A Tier-I in the future.[4]
- On April 29, 2024 the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League announced it and its' eleven member teams were leaving the sanctioning of Hockey Canada and BC Hockey effective the start of the 2024-25 playing season citing wanting to enhance the development opportunities for players and greater autonomy.[5]
Membership Changes[]
- None
The Teams[]
Standings[]
North Division[]
| Team | GP | W | L | OL | SL | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campbell River Storm | 48 | 36 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 248 | 155 | 74 |
| Comox Valley Glacier Kings | 48 | 31 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 208 | 144 | 64 |
| Oceanside Generals | 48 | 27 | 15 | 5 | 1 | 179 | 149 | 59 |
| Lake Cowichan Kraken | 48 | 15 | 31 | 0 | 2 | 163 | 199 | 32 |
| Port Alberni Bombers | 48 | 8 | 37 | 1 | 2 | 118 | 248 | 19 |
| Nanaimo Buccaneers | 48 | 1 | 47 | 0 | 0 | 77 | 330 | 2 |
South Division[]
| Team | GP | W | L | OL | SL | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria Cougars | 48 | 34 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 232 | 150 | 71 |
| Saanich Predators | 48 | 33 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 225 | 164 | 68 |
| Westshore Wolves | 48 | 28 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 194 | 140 | 60 |
| Kerry Park Islanders | 48 | 28 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 199 | 156 | 56 |
| Peninsula Panthers | 48 | 23 | 23 | 1 | 1 | 136 | 144 | 48 |
Brent Patterson Memorial Trophy Playoffs[]
Format[]
The top 3 teams in each division plus two wildcard qualify (next two best records) for the playoffs. Realignments of teams in division playoffs will be made based on qualifying teams and geography. All series are best-of-seven.
The playoff champion advances to the 2024 B.C. Provincial Junior A Championship. The event will be hosted by the Kimberley Dynamiters of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League April 18-21, 2024.
Quarterfinals[]
- Kerry Park Islanders defeated Campbell River Storm 4 games to 2 (1-4, 2-5, 6-2, 7-4, 4-1, 4-1)
- Comox Valley Glacier Kings defeated Oceanside Generals 4 games to 2 (4-2, 0-3, 2-4, 5-2, 6-2, 2-1 (ot))
- Victoria Cougars defeated Peninsula Panthers 4 games to none (7-4, 6-1, 7-0, 4-1)
- Saanich Predators defeated Westshore Wolves 4 games to 1 (2-0, 1-2, 5-1, 10-4, 5-3)
Semifinals[]
- Kerry Park Islanders defeated Comox Valley Glacier Kings 4 games to 3 (6-5, 2-1, 3-6, 2-3, 4-6, 5-0, 3-2)
- Saanich Predators defeated Victoria Cougars 4 games to 3 (2-1 (ot), 5-4 (2ot), 2-7, 3-1, 0-1, 1-2, 5-3)
Final[]
- Saanich Predators defeated Kerry Park Islanders 4 games to 1 (3-2, 3-4, 3-2 (2ot), 5-1, 5-4 (ot))
The Saanich Predators advance to the 2024 B.C. Provincial Junior A Championship.
References[]
- ↑ https://www.kijhl.ca/2023-kijhl-agm-concludes-in-sicamous
- ↑ https://www.vijhl.com/vijhl-applying-for-junior-a-status-for-2023-24-season
- ↑ https://thejuniorhockeynews.com/an-advisers-life-vijhl-also-applies-for-junior-a-status/
- ↑ https://www.bchockey.net/news-listing/bc-hockey-announces-new-junior-a-pathway
- ↑ https://www.vijhl.com/vijhl-announces-decision-to-become-independent-league