The Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) is a

junior ice hockey Junior ice hockey is amateur-level ice hockey for 16 to 20 year-old players. National Junior teams compete annually for the IIHF World Junior Championship. The United States men's national junior ice hockey team are the defending champions from ...

league which operates in the Lower Mainland and the Sunshine Coast of

British Columbia British Columbia is the westernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Situated in the Pacific Northwest between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains, the province has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that ...

. Although the PJHL has included American teams in the past, the league's fifteen franchises all currently reside in the districts of

Metro Vancouver The Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD), or simply Metro Vancouver, is a Canadian political subdivision and Corporation, corporate entity representing the metropolitan area of Greater Vancouver, designated by provincial legislation as o ...

, Fraser Valley, and the Sunshine Coast. Several National Hockey League stars began their junior hockey careers in the PJHL, but the main focus of the league is player development and education with strong ties to the local hockey community. The PJHL Championship is awarded annually to the league playoff champion and the winner moves on to compete against the champions of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League and the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League for the provincial title, the Cyclone Taylor Cup. From 1983 to 2017, the winner of the Cyclone Taylor Cup moves on to compete for the Western Canada Junior "B" Crown, the Keystone Cup.

History

Early years: 1966-1980

The earliest incarnation of the Pacific Junior Hockey League, the West Coast Junior Hockey League, was founded in 1966, with a total of six teams, including the still-existent Grandview Steelers. Other teams from Chilliwack,

Coquitlam Coquitlam ( ) is a city in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. Mainly suburban, Coquitlam is the List of cities in British Columbia, sixth-largest city in the province, with an estimated population of 174,248 in 2024, and one of th ...

, Richmond and

Burnaby Burnaby is a city in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, Canada. Located in the centre of the Burrard Peninsula, it neighbours the City of Vancouver to the west, the District of North Vancouver across the confluence of the Burrard In ...

. These five teams, along with the Nor Wes Caps, contested the first season of play in the new league. The Richmond Juniors were awarded the first ever championship in 1967, but the early years of the league were dominated by the Nor Wes Caps, who won four championships in the first seven seasons in the league. However, in the mid-70s, a number of league teams departed for the Junior 'A' level of hockey, including the Nor Wes Caps. A number of teams would replace the departed, including the North Shore Flames and the Northwest Americans. In the second half of the 1970s, the league championship was continuously handed back and forth between the Richmond Rebels, Burnaby Blazers and the Northwest Americans, before the Blazers and Rebels were forced to relocate.

1980-2000

The first seven seasons of the 1980s were dominated by the North Shore Flames and the Northwest Americans, who combined won all seven league championships in that time (four for the Americans, and three for the Flames). This dominance was ended in 1987 by the Burnaby Bluehawks, who defeated the White Rock Whalers in the league final. White Rock would become champions the following year, defeating the North Shore Flames en route to the title. In 1989, current league members Abbotsford Pilots won their first league title, having relocated from Mission shortly before. A number of previously title-less teams would win the championship in the following years, including the Coquitlam Warriors in 1991, the Richmond Sockeyes in 1992, and the Port Coquitlam Buckeroos in 1995. In 1992, the West Coast Junior Hockey League officially re-branded itself as the Pacific International Junior Hockey League. In 1994, the Grandview Steelers won their first championship since 1968, defeating the Richmond Sockeyes in the league championship. The Port Coquitlam Buckeroos and Ridge Meadows Flames would split the next four championship between them, until the Abbotsford Pilots won in 1998–99, and again in 1999-00 for their second and third championships.

2000-2023

The Delta Ice Hawks won their first title in 2000–01, defeating the Buckeroos in five games in the league finals, but lost the finals in four to the Abbotsford Pilots the following season. The next two seasons were won by the Richmond Sockeyes, who defeated Abbotsford and Delta 4-3 and 4-1 respectively for the titles. Abbotsford would defeat Delta in 2004-05 championship final in seven games. However, Delta would defeat those same Pilots the next year in six games. Abbotsford would come back and win the following year, over the Grandview Steelers in the final, which to date remains their last championship. The Pilots would go on to lose in the championship series in four of the next five seasons, to Grandview once, Delta once and Richmond twice. The only year in which the Pilots did not make the final, the Aldergrove Kodiaks won their first title, over the Delta Ice Hawks. In 2012–13, the Richmond Sockeyes won their second title in three years, beating Aldergrove in four games, but the Kodiaks would defeat the Sockeyes the following year to claim their second overall title, in seven games. In 2014–15, the North Vancouver Wolf Pack, formerly the Squamish Wolf Pack, won their first league title, defeating the Mission City Outlaws in the championship. But Mission would win their first league title the following year over the Grandview Steelers in five games. The Aldergrove Kodiaks won their third overall title in 2017, defeating the Ice Hawks in six games. Delta won their fourth title the following year over the Ridge Meadows Flames in six games, but lost to the Richmond Sockeyes in the Cyclone Taylor Cup Final. The Wolf Pack won their second overall title, defeating the Langley Trappers in four games in 2019. The PJHL Championship was not awarded for the first time after the 2019–20 season due to the

coronavirus pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...

. And again after the 2020–21 season. The Langley Trappers win their first league title over the White Rock Whalers in five games and captured their first Cyclone Taylor Cup title with a 4–2 victory over the Delta Ice Hawks in 2022. The Ice Hawks would captured their fifth league title the following year over the Ridge Meadows Flames in seven games. In 2022, the PJHL and

KIJHL The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) is a junior ice hockey league in British Columbia, Canada and Washington, USA sanctioned by Hockey Canada. The winner of the Teck Cup competes with the champions of the Pacific Junior Hock ...

entered a partnership known as the British Columbia Hockey Conference (BCHC). This involved the creation of a shared Department of Player Safety to oversee enhanced supplementary disciplinary procedures, and an annual showcase event for the leagues' top players known as the Prospects Game. The first Prospects Game took place at the Sardis Sports Complex in Chilliwack.

2023-present

In 2023, governing body

BC Hockey The British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association, more commonly known as BC Hockey, is a non-profit organization and member branch of Hockey Canada in charge of governing amateur hockey at all levels in British Columbia and Yukon Territory. It c ...

announced plans to restructure its

junior hockey Junior ice hockey is amateur-level ice hockey for 16 to 20 year-old players. National Junior teams compete annually for the IIHF World Junior Championship. The United States men's national junior ice hockey team are the defending champions from t ...

framework following the departure of its only Junior A league. The three Junior B leagues (PJHL,

and

VIJHL The Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) is a junior ice hockey league of 11 clubs on Vancouver Island. The Brent Patterson Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the league playoff champion at the end of each season. In 2024, the leagu ...

) 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 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 PJHL season. The

Port Coquitlam Trailblazers The Port Coquitlam Trailblazers are a Junior ice hockey team in the Pacific Junior Hockey League based in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. The team plays its home games at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC), which opened in 2019. Team ...

joined the league as an expansion team in the 2023–24 PJHL season along with the

Coastal Tsunami The Coastal Tsunami are a Junior ice hockey team in the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) based in Gibsons, British Columbia on the Sunshine Coast. It will debut as an expansion team in the 2024–25 PJHL season. Arena The team will play ...

the following season.

Teams

Beginning in the 2025–26 season, the league will be divided into two tiers. Tier one will include the

Chilliwack Jets The Chilliwack Jets are a junior ice hockey team based in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Harold Brittain Conference of the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL). The Jets play their home games at the Sardis Sports Co ...

, Delta Ice Hawks, Grandview Steelers, Langley Trappers, Richmond Sockeyes and

Ridge Meadows Flames The Ridge Meadows Flames are a Junior "A" ice hockey team based in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Harold Brittain Conference of the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL). The Flames play their home games at Planet Ic ...

. Tier two will include the Abbotsford Pilots, Aldergrove Kodiaks, Mission City Outlaws, North Vancouver Wolf Pack,

Port Moody Panthers The Port Moody Panthers are a Junior ice hockey team based in Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada. The Panthers play their home games at the Port Moody Recreation Complex arena. History The team was founded in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, a ...

Surrey Knights The Surrey Knights are a Junior "A" ice hockey team based in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Harold Brittain Conference of the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL). The Knights play their home games at the North Surrey Spo ...

and White Rock Whalers. , + style="background:blue; border:red 3px solid", ! style=width:13em , Team ! style=width:10em , Home ! style=width:20em , Arena , - , Burnaby Steelers ,

, Burnaby Winter Club , - ,

, Chilliwack , Sardis Sports Complex , - ,

Gibsons Gibsons is a coastal community of 4,758 in southwestern British Columbia, Canada on the Sunshine Coast (British Columbia), Sunshine Coast, where the southwest bank of Howe Sound meets the Strait of Georgia. During its early history as a Europe ...

, Gibsons & Area Community Centre , - , Delta Ice Hawks ,

Delta Delta commonly refers to: * Delta (letter) (Δ or δ), the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet * D (NATO phonetic alphabet: "Delta"), the fourth letter in the Latin alphabet * River delta, at a river mouth * Delta Air Lines, a major US carrier ...

, Sungod Arena , - , Langley Trappers , Langley , George Preston Recreation Centre , - , Richmond Sockeyes , Richmond , Minoru Arenas , - ,

, Maple Ridge , Planet Ice Maple Ridge , + style="background:red; border:blue 3px solid", ! style=width:13em , Team ! style=width:10em , Home ! style=width:20em , Arena , - , Abbotsford Pilots , Abbotsford , MSA Arena , - , Aldergrove Kodiaks , Aldergrove , Aldergrove Community Centre , - , Cloverdale Junior Hockey Club , Cloverdale , Cloverdale Arena , - , Mission City Outlaws , Mission , Mission Leisure Centre , - , North Vancouver Wolf Pack , North Vancouver , Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre , - ,

Port Coquitlam Port Coquitlam ( ) is a city in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of 21 municipalities comprising Metro Vancouver. Located east of Vancouver, it is on the north bank of the confluence of the Fraser River and the Pitt River. Coquitlam borders ...

, Port Coquitlam Community Centre , - ,

Port Moody Port Moody is a city in British Columbia, Canada, and a member municipality of the Metro Vancouver Regional District. It envelops the east end of Burrard Inlet and is the smallest of the Tri-Cities, bordered by Coquitlam on the east and south ...

, Port Moody Recreation Complex , - ,

Surrey Surrey () is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England. It is bordered by Greater London to the northeast, Kent to the east, East Sussex, East and West Sussex to the south, and Hampshire and Berkshire to the wes ...

, North Surrey Sport & Ice Complex , - , White Rock Whalers , White Rock , Centennial Arena

Champions

, + League champions by year ! Year ! Winning team ! Losing team ! Games , - , 2025 , ,

, , Delta Ice Hawks , , 4–2 , - , 2024 , ,

, , Richmond Sockeyes , , 4–3 , - , 2023 , , Delta Ice Hawks , ,

, , 4–3 , - , 2022 , , Langley Trappers , , White Rock Whalers , , 4–1 , - , 2021 , , colspan=3; rowspan=2; align=center, ''Not awarded'' , - , 2020 , - , 2019 , , North Vancouver Wolf Pack , , Langley Trappers , , 4–0 , - , 2018 , , Delta Ice Hawks , ,

, , 4–2 , - , 2017 , , Aldergrove Kodiaks , , Delta Ice Hawks , , 4–2 , - , 2016 , , Mission City Outlaws , , Grandview Steelers , , 4–1 , - , 2015 , , North Vancouver Wolf Pack , , Mission City Outlaws , , 4–2 , - , 2014 , , Aldergrove Kodiaks , , Richmond Sockeyes , , 4–3 , - , 2013 , , Richmond Sockeyes , , Aldergrove Kodiaks , , 4–0 , - , 2012 , , Delta Ice Hawks , , Abbotsford Pilots , , 4–2 , - , 2011 , , Richmond Sockeyes , , Abbotsford Pilots , , 4–0 , - , 2010 , , Aldergrove Kodiaks , , Delta Ice Hawks , , 4–2 , - , 2009 , , Richmond Sockeyes , , Abbotsford Pilots , , 4–1 , - , 2008 , , Grandview Steelers , , Abbotsford Pilots , , 4–1 , - , 2007 , , Abbotsford Pilots , , Grandview Steelers , , 4–2 , - , 2006 , , Delta Ice Hawks , , Abbotsford Pilots , , 4–2 , - , 2005 , , Abbotsford Pilots , , Delta Ice Hawks , , 4–3 , - , 2004 , , Richmond Sockeyes , , Delta Ice Hawks , , 4–1 , - , 2003 , , Richmond Sockeyes , , Abbotsford Pilots , , 4–3 , - , 2002 , , Abbotsford Pilots , , Delta Ice Hawks , , 4–0 , - , 2001 , , Delta Ice Hawks , , Port Coquitlam Buckeroos , , 4–1 , - , 2000 , , Abbotsford Pilots , , Grandview Steelers , , 4–0 , - , 1999 , , Abbotsford Pilots , , Delta Ice Hawks , , , - , 1998 , ,

, , Delta Ice Hawks , , 3–1 , - , 1997 , , Port Coquitlam Buckeroos , , Richmond Sockeyes , , 4–2 , - , 1996 , ,

, , Richmond Sockeyes , , 4–1 , - , 1995 , , Port Coquitlam Buckeroos , , , , , - , 1994 , , Grandview Steelers , , Richmond Sockeyes , , 3–0 , - , 1993 , , Coquitlam Warriors , , Richmond Sockeyes , , 3–0 , - , 1992 , , Richmond Sockeyes , , Abbotsford Pilots , , 3–1 , - , 1991 , , Coquitlam Warriors , , , , , - , 1990 , , Burnaby Bluehawks , , , , , - , 1989 , , Abbotsford Pilots , , , , , - , 1988 , , White Rock Whalers , , North Shore Flames , , 3–2 , - , 1987 , , Burnaby Bluehawks , , White Rock Whalers , , , - , 1986 , , Northwest Americans , , Ladner Rebels , , , - , 1985 , , North Shore Flames , , , , , - , 1984 , , North Shore Flames , , , , , - , 1983 , , North Shore Flames , , , , , - , 1982 , , Northwest Americans , , , , , - , 1981 , , Northwest Americans , , , , , - , 1980 , , Northwest Americans , , , , , - , 1979 , , Burnaby Blazers , , , , , - , 1978 , , Richmond Rebels , , , , , - , 1977 , , Richmond Rebels , , , , , - , 1976 , , Northwest Americans , , , , , - , 1975 , , Burnaby Blazers , , , , , - , 1974 , , Point Grey Blades , , , , , - , 1973 , , Nor Wes Caps , , , , , - , 1972 , , Nor Wes Caps , , , , , - , 1971 , , Nor Wes Caps , , , , , - , 1970 , ,

, , , , , - , 1969 , , Nor Wes Caps , , , , , - , 1968 , , Grandview Steelers , , , , , - , 1967 , , Richmond Juniors , , , , , -

Notable alumni

Karl Alzner Karl Alexander Alzner (born September 24, 1988) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He was selected in the first round, fifth overall, by the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draf ...

* Victor Bartley *

Troy Brouwer Troy Brouwer (born August 17, 1985) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger. He played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Washington Capitals, Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers and the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). ...

* Steve Clippingdale *

John Craighead John Craighead (born November 23, 1971) is an American former professional ice hockey right winger and enforcer. He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs during 1996–97 season, and for various minor league teams in North America and Europe from ...

Brenden Dillon Brenden Dillon (born November 13, 1990) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). Dillon has previously played in the NHL for the Dallas Stars, San Jose Sharks, Washington Cap ...

Kaleigh Fratkin Kaleigh Fratkin (born March 24, 1992) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played most recently for Boston of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). The second-longest tenured player and leading scorer among defenders in Premi ...

Colton Gillies Colton Gillies (born February 12, 1989) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger. He spent time playing for both the Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets in the National Hockey League, NHL. Gillies spent the last five years of ...

Ryan Hollweg Ryan Alexander Hollweg (born April 23, 1983) is a former American-Canadian professional ice hockey forward. He was playing his last season with HC Škoda Plzeň in the Czech Extraliga (Czech). Playing career As the son of a Brazilian father o ...

* Bracken Kearns *

Andrew Ladd Andrew Joseph Ladd (born December 12, 1985) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger who played for the Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Atlanta Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets, New York Islanders and Arizona Coyotes of the National ...

* Ben Maxwell *

Brandon Yip Brandon Michael Harry Yip ( zh, t=葉勁光, p=Yè Jìnguāng, j=Jip6 Ging6 Gwong1; born April 25, 1985) is a Chinese-Canadian professional ice hockey right wing who is currently playing with HC Kunlun Red Star of the Kontinental Hockey League ...

* Stephen Peat * Brad Hunt *

Tony Horacek Anthony S. Horacek (born February 3, 1967) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks. Playing career Horacek had his best game as a ...

Milan Lucic Milan Lucic (; born June 7, 1988) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played major junior career with the Vancouver ...

Sasha Lakovic Sasha Gordon Lakovic (September 7, 1971 – April 25, 2017) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for 17 different professional teams during his career. Lakovic also played for four roller hockey teams in the mid-1990s. Lakov ...

Kenndal McArdle Kenndal McArdle (born January 4, 1987) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger who played with the Florida Panthers and the Winnipeg Jets in the National Hockey League (NHL). Playing career As a youth, McArdle played in the 2001 ...

Kyle Turris Kyle Turris (born August 14, 1989) is a Canadians, Canadian former professional ice hockey centre (ice hockey), centre. He was selected third overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by the Arizona Coyotes, Phoenix Coyotes. He has also played with t ...

* Tyler Eckford *

Link Gaetz Link Gaetz (born October 2, 1968) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League with the Minnesota North Stars and San Jose Sharks. NHL career Gaetz was drafted in the second round, 40th overall in t ...

Colin Fraser Colin Fraser may refer to: * Colin Fraser (Australian politician) (died 1877), Australian politician *Colin Fraser (Canadian politician) (born 1978), Canadian politician *Colin Fraser (ice hockey) Colin Fraser (born January 28, 1985) is a Canadia ...

Zach Hamill Zachary Robert Hamill (born September 23, 1988) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. Hamill was drafted in the first round, eighth overall by the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Boston Bruins in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to ...

Jeff Tambellini Jeff Tambellini (born April 13, 1984) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger and current Director of Player Development for the Seattle Kraken of the NHL. Originally selected 27th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2003 NHL ...

David Van der Gulik David Van der Gulik (born April 20, 1983) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger. He was a draft pick of the Calgary Flames, selected 206th overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, and appeared in six games with the team in 2008� ...

* David Jones * David Wilkie *

Jason Garrison Jason John Maxwell Garrison (born November 13, 1984) is a Canadians, Canadian professional ice hockey Defenceman, defenseman currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for the Chicago Wolves in the American Hockey League (AHL ...

* Matt Hervey *

Dean Malkoc Dean Malkoc (born January 26, 1970) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who spent four seasons in the National Hockey League between 1995 and 1999 with the Vancouver Canucks, Boston Bruins, and New York Islanders. The rest of his c ...

* John Negrin *

Mike Santorelli Michael Santorelli (born December 14, 1985) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played with Genève-Servette HC of the National League A and in the National Hockey League with the Nashville Predators, Florida Panthers, Winnipe ...

Raymond Sawada Raymond Masao Sawada (February 19, 1985 – April 10, 2023) was a Canadian professional ice hockey winger. The Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL) selected him in the second round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, and he played 11 gam ...

Brent Seabrook Brent Seabrook (born April 20, 1985) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played fifteen seasons for the Chicago Blackhawks from 2005 to 2020. Chicago had selected him in the first round, 14th overall, in the 2003 NHL E ...

* Brandon Segal *

Jordan Sigalet Jordan Marvin Sigalet (born February 19, 1981) is a Canadian ice hockey coach and former goaltender who played one game in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins in 2006. In 2004, while playing at Bowling Green University, Sigalet was d ...

* Rob Skrlac * Trevor Smith * Nick Tarnasky * Devon Toews * Derek Grant *

Scott Langkow Scott Langkow (born April 21, 1975) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played 20 National Hockey League games and for numerous teams in the minor and European leagues, most notably for the Springfield Falcons of the Americ ...

References

External links

Official website of the PJHL

PJHL historical standings archive
{{Junior Hockey Ice hockey leagues in British Columbia B Sports leagues established in 1965 1965 establishments in British Columbia