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38-698: The Grizzlies were founded in 1993. They have won the KIJHL Championship 5 times, in 1998, 2010, 2019, 2022, and 2024. In the 2009–10 season, they not only won their Division, and KIJHL championship over the Leafs 4–1, but they went to the Cyclone Taylor Cup and won Gold. They then went onto win the Western Canadian Junior B championship, the Keystone Cup . On June 11, 2014, it was announced that

76-598: A junior team, and the work began. First they had to convince the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League that there were enough young hockey players in the area to man another junior team. This was not an easy task, as many KIJHL teams at the time were situated within a half-hour of Fruitvale, and a new team might cause them to lose players they had counted on—but on the other hand it was also appealing to them: they knew that great rivalries would begin, bringing new fans to their arenas. Since BVMH

114-603: A member of the Neil Murdoch Division from 1996 to 2014 and one conference playoff title as a member of the Kootenay Conference from 2007 to 2014. The Nitehawks have retired five players' jerseys in their team history—Rocky Dickson (2), Barrett Jackman (6), Adam Deadmarsh (12), Sam Swanson (29) and Cody Franson (88). The idea of starting a junior hockey team in Fruitvale was born when Shirley Levesque, manager of

152-751: A period dominated by the Colts. The next expansion occurred in 1976–77, when the Creston Clippers and the Castlegar Rebels joined the league, and the Rebels won the league championship in their debut season. Columbia Valley joined in 1978–79 season, thus bringing the league to a total of 11 teams, an all-time high. In the 1981–82 season, Fernie would withdraw from the league, while the Elk Valley Raiders ( Sparwood ) would join in their place. The following year,

190-583: A winner. Kim Campbell of Trail designed the hawk for the jersey crest, the first coaches were Tom Gawryletz and Murry Price, Darrell Dickson was the manager, and the trainers were Barry Marshall and Leo Campeau. The 1981-82 KIJHL season saw the first Beaver Valley Nitehawks hit the ice, led by captain Tyler Bolduc. The first year was very successful: the team went into a wild playoff with the Trail Smoke Eaters , and additional bleachers had to be brought into

228-446: Is the team's president, and Terry Jones has been the general manager and coach since 2015. The Nitehawks joined the league in 1981 as an expansion team . In its KIJHL history, the team has won the Keystone Cup once in 2014; the Cyclone Taylor Cup four times, in 1997, 2001, 2014, and 2017; and have won the KIJHL Championship eight times, in 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2012, 2014, and 2017. They won nine division playoff titles as

266-619: The Beaver Valley Nitehawks would join, bringing the league to a total of 12 teams. Creston would withdraw from the league in 1985, and Nelson, Elk Valley and Grand Forks would do the same in 1986. Elk Valley and Grand Forks would return the next year and Nelson in 1989. The 1980s were largely dominated by the Cranbrook Colts with a 6 championship winning streak. In 1990, the Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League

304-773: The Cariboo Memorial Recreation Centre . On 31 March 2024, it was announced that the Merritt Centennials of the BCHL would join the KIJHL under new ownership beginning in the 2024–25 season as part of the Bill Ohlhausen Division. According to the announcement, the team would keep the same name and continue to play out of the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena under a 5-year lease. In April 2024

342-670: The Castlegar Apollos , the Grand Forks Border Bruins , and the Rossland Warriors . The Smoke Eaters won the inaugural league championship, advancing to the provincial championship. The next year, Castlegar would withdraw from the league, leaving only four teams. In 1971–1972, the Spokane Valley Kings and Cranbrook Colts joined the league, raising the number of teams to six, and incorporating an American team for

380-576: The Kelowna Chiefs . The following year, two expansion franchises were granted to Chase and Summerland , and the Chase Heat and Summerland Steam were formed. The 2012–13 season saw no team changes, while the Castlegar Rebels won the league title. The following year, 2013–14, the Penticton Lakers were forced into relocation to 100 Mile House due to low ticket sales, which stemmed from playing in

418-601: The Keystone Cup ; the Cyclone Taylor Cup and the KIJHL Championship in their third only season against the previous year's champion, the Dynamiters. The 2016–17 season marks the KIJHL's 50th anniversary, with the Creston Valley Thunder Cats hosting the Cyclone Taylor Cup . Prior to the 2019–20 KIJHL season, the Okanagan Division was renamed the Bill Ohlhausen Division along with the KIJHL Championship renamed

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456-767: The North American Hockey League , and the following year the Golden Rockets were renamed the Golden Xtreme . They were renamed again the following year, this time becoming the Golden Jets . Also, 2006–07 saw the demise of the Osoyoos Storm, who moved to Kamloops Storm , while retaining the Storm name. In 2007–08, the league was divided into two conferences, which were furthermore split into two divisions each, dropping

494-775: The North Okanagan Knights franchise was announced to have been sold to a Quesnel - based ownership group where they would be rebranded as the Quesnel River Rush, with these changes the league moved the Revelstoke Grizzlies and the Sicamous Eagles moving from the Doug Birks Division to the Bill Ohlhausen expanding it from four to six teams. On November 26, 2024, The KIJHL announced via facebook That

532-705: The Prairie Junior Hockey League (PJHL) in Saskatchewan for future considerations. On September 22, 2022, The KIJHL and PJHL announced the creation of the BCHC (British Columbia Hockey Conference) which represents a partnership between two of Western Canada’s premier junior "B" hockey leagues with a mission to advance their level of competitive hockey in British Columbia. The British Columbia Hockey Conference’s inaugural season (22/23) included two major projects:

570-511: The Teck Cup for sponsorship reasons. The Teck Cup was not awarded in 2020 due to the league suspended operations amidst the COVID-19 pandemic . Jeff Dubois was later named the new commissioner. In June 2023, following the BCHL's decision to leave Hockey Canada sanctioning, the KIJHL applied for Junior A status from BC Hockey , on July 25, 2023, BC Hockey announced that three BC Junior B leagues,

608-544: The 1985 team, and Barrett Jackman from the 1997 team. Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, D = Defaults, OTL = Overtime Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against Final records as of February 17, 2024. Records as of March 30, 2024. Western Canadian Jr. B Championships (Northern Ontario to British Columbia) Six teams in round robin play. 1st vs 2nd for gold/silver; 3rd vs 4th for bronze. Cyclone Taylor Cup (4) Keystone Cup (1) KIJHL Championship (8) Coach of

646-645: The 1998 season after 39 straight wins. Many players receive scholarships and continue on to play college hockey but, of course, the pride of Fruitvale and the Nitehawks is Adam Deadmarsh , who not only won the World Cup of Hockey with Team USA but also brought the coveted Stanley Cup home to the Beaver Valley Arena in 1996. Other players drafted by the NHL teams were Ed Cristofoli from the 1983 team, Neil Eisenhut from

684-755: The 2024–25 season, the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) for the Cyclone Taylor Cup , the British Columbia Provincial Title. The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League was founded in 1966 as the West Kootenay Junior Hockey League . Five teams joined the league in its first year and started play in the 1969–70 season. They included the Trail Jr. Smoke Eaters , the Nelson Plaza Oilers ,

722-654: The BCHC had created social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) as "thebchc" deepening the social media presence of the BCHC. Beaver Valley Nitehawks The Beaver Valley Nitehawks are a Junior 'A' ice hockey team based in Fruitvale , British Columbia , Canada . They are members of the Neil Murdoch Division of the Kootenay Conference of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL). The Nitehawks play their home games at Beaver Valley Arena. Stephen Piccolo

760-523: The Beaver Valley Midgets, and Darrell Dickson, their coach, hosted a Beaver Valley Minor Hockey Tournament. During this tournament they noticed people from the valley, who had never before been inside the 10-year-old building, coming to games at six in the morning to watch the young talent. This was a good indication that there were many local hockey fans just waiting for some exciting and entertaining hockey; Darrell suggested to Shirley that they start

798-465: The Cup in 2001, their playoff win–loss record was a perfect 16-0. Entering the 2013-14 KIJHL Playoffs, the Nitehawks have made nineteen consecutive playoff appearances since the 1995-96 season; winning six-out-of-nine KIJHL Championships and winning one-out-of-four Cyclone Taylor Cups in that span. They set a record in junior hockey for the longest winning streak, which started in the 1997 season and ended in

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836-1131: The Grizzlies ownership had been transferred to a new group headed by Ryan Parent. In the 2023-24 season, the Grizzlies won their Division, the KIJHL Championship over the Ghostriders , and also went on to win the Mowat Cup , and gained Jr. 'A' supremacy in the province of British Columbia . Defenceman Mikkel Hrechka was the tournament MVP with 6 points in 4 games. Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, SOL = Shootout Losses, D = Defaults, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against Records as of April 9, 2024. British Columbia Jr. B Provincial Hockey Championships WESTERN CANADA, Jr. B National Championships Records as of April 18, 2010. Established 2024 - KIJHL - PJHL - VIJHL prompted from Jr. B to Jr A Mowat Cup Champions Top Defenseman 2014-15 Nii Noi Tetteh Most Sportsmanlike Coach of

874-480: The KIJHL 2019–20 season, ending their nearly four season hiatus from the KIJHL due to travel restrictions from international travel. The 2023–24 hockey season also raised the limit of 20-year-old players from five to six players per team. The last Junior "B" player transaction from the KIJHL occurred on July 24, 2023, with a defenceman traded from the Grand Forks Border Bruins of the KIJHL to the Regina Capitals of

912-421: The KIJHL, PJHL , and VIJHL , were being promoted to "Junior A Tier 2". BC Hockey further announced that it hired a consulting firm to evaluate all Junior A Tier 2 teams for promotion to "Junior A Tier 1" to form a new league to fill the "Junior A" vacuum left by the BCHL . The Spokane Braves also returned to the KIJHL for the 2023–24 hockey season for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that shortened

950-831: The Okanagan Shushwap, while creating the Eddie Mountain Conference, East and West Divisions, and likewise with the Neil Murdoch Conference. The Golden Xtreme was again renamed, this time reverting to the Rockets name. Furthermore, the Chase Chiefs joined the league in 2007–08, while the Fernie Ghostriders would capture the league title. There were no team changes in 2008–09, and the Nelson Leafs would capture

988-594: The Rebels. In 1999–2000, the Nelson Leafs rejoined the KIJHL, winning the title in their first season back, and the Rossland Warriors relocated for a single season to Summerland. The 1999–2000 Summerland Warriors had the distinction of never having won a game, finishing their only season with a record of 0-45-0, conceding 485 goals in 45 games. The 2000–01 season saw the folding of the Summerland Warriors and

1026-658: The Year Top Goaltender 2014-15 Aidan Doak Rookie of the Year 2014-15 Steven Fiust Steven fiust KIJHL The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) is a junior ice hockey league in British Columbia , Canada and Washington state, USA sanctioned by Hockey Canada . The winner of the Teck Cup competes with the champions of the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) and until

1064-430: The arena for these exciting games. The Nitehawks were up two games to none, but when Trail came back to win the series they set the tempo of rivalry for years to come. Over the next three decades the Nitehawks won their division championship nine times, the KIJHL championship five times (in 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2012), and two provincial championships for the Cyclone Taylor Cup (in 1997 and 2001). When they won

1102-482: The creation of a Department of Player Safety and a Prospects Game that will highlight its top young players. In 2023, governing body BC Hockey announced plans to restructure its junior hockey framework following the departure of its only Junior A league . The three Junior B leagues ( PJHL , KIJHL and VIJHL ) were summarily designated as "Junior A Tier 2", with plans to conduct an independent evaluation of those teams seeking to be promoted to "Junior A Tier 1". It

1140-644: The creation of the Creston Valley Thunder Cats . In 2001–02, the league was split from two to three divisions, the Neil Murdoch, Eddie Mountain, and Okanagan/Shushwap. Along with the division re-alignment, the North Okanagan Kings relocated to Enderby , becoming the Enderby Ice Kings . The Osoyoos Heat took on the name the Osoyoos Storm , and an expansion franchise was granted to Summerland , which took

1178-624: The first time. Furthermore, the Nelson Plaza Oilers were renamed the Nelson Leafs . For 1972–73, the league was rebranded the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League . In this season, the Kimberley Knights joined the league, while the Grand Forks Border Bruins took a leave of absence. In 1973–74 the league expanded again, incorporating a Fernie -based team. The league did not expand for two years after this point, during

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1216-614: The league title in their first year. The following year, Elk Valley and Nelson would depart the league, while the Sicamous Eagles would join. The Eagles, too, won the league in their debut season. In 1996–97, the Castlegar Rebels relocated to Osoyoos, who played one season under the Rebels name, before being renamed the Heat. Castlegar was granted an expansion franchise in 1998–99, who was named

1254-542: The league title. In 2009–10, however, the Summerland Sting were forced to relocate to nearby Penticton , taking the name Penticton Lakers . Furthermore, an expansion team was granted to Armstrong , and the North Okanagan Knights were founded. In the 2010–11 season , the Osoyoos Coyotes were formed, and won the league title in their debut season, while the Chase Chiefs relocated to Rutland, Kelowna to become

1292-579: The name Summerland Sting . 2001–02 also saw the presence of the KIJHL's most accomplished alumnus, Shea Weber , who played for the league champions Sicamous Eagles for this single season. In 2002–03, the Princeton Posse joined the league, becoming the furthest west team in the KIJHL, and the Enderby Ice Kings folded after one season. In 2004–05, the Fernie Ghostriders joined the league from

1330-430: The neighbouring arena to that of the Jr. A Penticton Vees , whose national success offered difficult competition. The new team was branded the 100 Mile House Wranglers . The following year again saw no team changes, and the Kimberley Dynamiters won the league title. In 2015–16, the Grand Forks Border Bruins made the playoffs for the first time in 19 years, a provincial Jr. B record and the 100 Mile House Wranglers won

1368-406: Was expected that those teams promoted to Tier 1 would eventually apply for membership in the CJHL . The league expected the evaluations to be completed during the 2024–25 season. On March 22, 2024, it was announced that the Summerland Steam franchise has been sold and relocated to Williams Lake for the 2024-25 season, where they will now be known as the Williams Lake Mustangs and play out of

1406-415: Was formed, creating a level of competition between the two geographic rival leagues. Cranbrook and Kimberley would depart the league in 1991, while the Golden Rockets would enter. The Rossland Warriors would return to the league the following season after a lengthy absence. In 1993–94, the KIJHL gained two new teams in the form of the North Okanagan Kings and the Revelstoke Grizzlies . North Okanagan won

1444-404: Was one of the strongest minor hockey programs around at the time, it seemed fitting they should have their own junior team to go with it. Once the KIJHL accepted, an executive was formed consisting of Darrell Dickson, Shirley Levesque, Roy Taylor, Noel Smith and Stuart McPhee. There was a contest to choose the name, and when Robbie Taylor of Fruitvale suggested Nitehawks the executive knew they had

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