I will do my best to explain what is happening with our path along with all the teams in the KIJHL to be classified as Jr A tier 1. Bev and others say I can’t be brief. Sorry, but in the end you will have a pretty clear picture.
Our Jr hockey world from Minor Hockey all the way up to Western Hockey League (WHL) is under the direction/rules and regulations of Hockey Canada and BC Hockey. We have our Western Hockey league, British Columbia Junior Hockey league which was our Jr A program and our Jr B hockey league. In B.C we have three Jr B leagues. The KIJHL, PJHL (the Lower Mainland) and VJHL (Vancouver Island).
For some time, there have been rumblings that the BCJHL which was our Jr A program in B.C. were not all that happy with being under the umbrella of Hockey Canada and that they may wish to go their separate ways and decide to be their own governing body. That rumbling became a reality this last season and they informed Hockey Canada they are going on their own. So, when you leave Hockey Canada then of course you leave BC Hockey.
As a result of this decision BCJHL became an unsanctioned league, not recognized by Hockey Canada or BC Hockey and therefore all the benefits, protection and accreditation one receives is no longer there for anyone involved with an unsanctioned league. This includes the players, coaches as well as all on ice officials that remain in an unsanctioned league.
When the BCJHL announced their departure, this left a void in hockey here in B.C. There is no longer a Jr A league. It was at this time the KIJHL communicated and met with representatives of Hockey Canada and BC Hockey informing them that we (KIJHL) would like to make application to fill that void and be designated a Jr A league.
During the course of numerous meetings with Hockey Canada and BC Hockey they expressed a concern. That concern being that there are some high standards for each team to meet in order to be approved for Jr A tier 1 status. Both governing bodies agreed that with the Jr A void this season they have approved the KIJHL to be designated Jr A tier 2 status. However, the path to Jr A tier 1 status will be more challenging and there is a possibility that not all teams will be approved.
What is the process for each team in the KIJHL to be approved and designated Jr A tier 1? Glad you asked.
Hockey Canada and BC Hockey have hired an independent business called Blackfin Sports Management. This is a consultant/law office that works with numerous sport organizations. The Rockets and all teams in the KIJHL have been provided with a Jr A, Tier 1 operating standards assessment of the categories that this evaluation team will be evaluating. Each category they review is provided a score. There are four pages of listed items they will review.
Time lines are as follows;
• In March each team will receive a complete package confirming what is to be evaluated. The teams can review this and then decide if they will make application as there is a cost to each team that is to be paid to Blackfin Sports Management. $5.500 plus GST plus their travel expense.
• May 1: the application deadline for each team.
• June-September: Blackfin Sports Management will be traveling to each team. Meet with board members, coaches and inspect the arena. During their interviews/inspections which should take 20-30 hours they will give a score each category. At the end they will provide a final score.
• Oct-Nov: Blackfin Sports Management will have a finalization of their scoring reports.
• Nov 15: Complete findings will be delivered to the KIJHL.
• Jan 18, 2025: The league will meet at the semi annual meeting and we will have a vision of what the future will look like.
Last week I made a presentation to Town Council. Jed Houseman, our coach, and Bruce McKnight also made a separate report to Town Council on behalf of Golden Minor Hockey. In doing so, they made the Council aware of the challenges and expressed how the Town can assist.
Bottom line, along with the Application fee and viewing the sheets of the Tier 1 operating standards assessment there is going to be a cost going Jr A. We are pleased to report that when Rupert Michell, the owner of Stolen Bell Distillery, became aware of the report to Town he informed us that Stolen Bell Distillery will assist and cover the application fee. Wow. The support we receive from our business community is amazing. Our support/sponsorship from our business community plays such an important part of keeping Jr hockey in Golden.
This will be a challenge for our teams in smaller based communities. Our board members are up for the challenge and confident we can make it work and be approved for tier 1 status.
Finally, yes finally, putting on my marketing hat, I will be making my rounds contacting our established sponsors and will also seek new sponsors. I have one sponsor when I walk through the door I am greeted with “How much money you want now?” Got to love hockey!
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