Two new teams will be coming to the Western Hockey League. On Monday, the WHL officially awarded Penticton and Chilliwack expansion franchises, bringing the total number of teams in the WHL to 24. The Penticton Vees will begin operation in 2025-26, while Chilliwack will return to the WHL for the 2026-27 season.
In a statement, WHL Commissioner Dan Near wrote, "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. 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 Vees will be playing out of the South Okanagan Event Center, which holds 5,000 fans. Their ownership group consists of Mark Scheifele, Mike Richter, Joe Walters, Gord Kovacik, and Graham Fraser. The Vees will participate in an expansion draft on May 7, 2025, and have begun recruiting a 15-player list, which will expand to the WHL standard 50-player list.
As for Chilliwack, they will also be playing at the Chilliwack Coliseum, which also holds 5000 people. This will be Chilliwack's second WHL team, as they housed the Bruins from 2006-11 before they became the Victoria Royals. As of now, there is no ownership group in place, but the WHL is inviting interested parties to submit applications.
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