2023–24 KIJHL season
{{Short description|57th season of the KIJHL}}
{{Infobox sports season
| title = 2023–24 KIJHL season
| color = #FF0000; border-top:#001A7C 5px solid; border-bottom:#001A7C 5px solid
| color_text = #FFFFFF
| league = KIJHL
| sport = Ice hockey
| logo =
| pixels =
| caption =
| duration = September - February
| no_of_games = 44
| no_of_teams = 20
| attendance =
| TV =
| streaming = {{URL|https://www.flohockey.tv/leagues/10826619-kootenay-international-junior-hockey-league-kijhl|flohockey.tv}}
| season =
| season_champs =
| season_champ_name =
| league_champs = Revelstoke Grizzlies
| second_place = Fernie Ghostriders
| MVP = Tristan Weill
| MVP_link =
| Cup_MVP =
| Cup_MVP_link =
| top_scorer = Luke Chakrabarti
| top_scorer_link =
| playoffs =
| playoffs_link =
| playoffs_MVP =
| playoffs_MVP_link =
| seasonslist =
| seasonslistnames =
| prevseason_link = 2022–23 KIJHL season
| prevseason_year = 2022–23
| nextseason_link = 2024–25 KIJHL season
| nextseason_year = 2024–25
}}
The 2023–24 KIJHL season was the 57th in league history, beginning on Friday, September 22, 2023, and ending on April 9, 2024, with the Revelstoke Grizzlies defeating the Fernie Ghostriders 7-1 in game four of the Teck Cup Finals to win their second championship in three years, and fifth in franchise history.{{Cite web |title=KIJHL |url=https://www.kijhl.ca/stats/schedule/all-teams/59/all-months?league=1 |access-date=26 May 2024 |website=kijhl.ca |language=en-US}}
Season highlights
The 2024 BCHC was held at the McArthur Park Arena in Kamloops. It was the second annual showcase for scouts to observe players from both the KIJHL and the PJHL. Team PJHL won 5-3.{{Cite web |date=29 November 2023 |title=PJHL defeats KIJHL in BCHC Prospects Game |url=https://www.kijhl.ca/pjhl-defeats-kijhl-in-bchc-prospects-game |access-date=26 May 2024 |website=kijhl.ca |language=en-US}}
The Spokane Braves returned after being absent for three seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news |last1=Stalwick |first1=Howie |title=Spokane Braves junior hockey returns to the ice for first season since COVID-19 pandemic |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/sep/21/spokane-braves-junior-hockey-returns-to-the-ice-fo/ |access-date=17 August 2024 |work=The Spokesman-Review |date=21 September 2023}}
In 2023, governing body BC Hockey announced plans to restructure its junior hockey framework.{{cite web |title=BC Hockey announces new Junior A pathway |url=https://www.bchockey.net/news-listing/bc-hockey-announces-new-junior-a-pathway |website=bchockey.net |publisher=British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association |access-date=2 February 2024}} 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 was expected that those teams promoted to Tier 1 would eventually apply for membership in the CJHL.{{cite web |title=BC Hockey Junior A pathway update |url=https://www.bchockey.net/news-listing/bc-hockey-junior-a-pathway-update |website=bchockey.net |publisher=British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association |access-date=2 February 2024}} The league expected the evaluations to be completed during the 2024-25 season.{{cite web |title=B.C. Junior A leagues partner with Blackfin Sports Group |url=https://www.bchockey.net/news-listing/bc-junior-a-leagues-partner-with-blackfin-sports-group |website=bchockey.net |publisher=British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association |access-date=2 February 2024}} In April 2024, the VIJHL announced that it would withdraw from the Hockey Canada framework and become an independent farm league for the BCHL beginning in the 2024-25 season.{{cite news |last1=Ewen |first1=Steve |title=Vancouver Island Junior B loop cuts ties with Hockey Canada, joins forces with BCHL |url=https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/junior-hockey/vancouver-island-junior-b-loop-cuts-ties-with-hockey-canada-joins-forces-with-bchl#:~:text=The%20league%20left%20the%20Canadian,system%2C%E2%80%9D%20in%20September%202022. |access-date=29 May 2024 |work=The Province |publisher=Postmedia |date=30 April 2024}}{{cite web |title=VIJHL announces decision to become independent league |url=https://www.vijhl.com/vijhl-announces-decision-to-become-independent-league |website=vijhl.com |publisher=Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League |access-date=29 May 2024}}
Regular season
Teams played a 44-game regular season schedule, including six games against each team within their division, two games against each team in the other division of the same conference, and one game against each team in the other conference.
= Standings =
| class="wikitable sortable"; style="text-align: right"
|+ style="background:#FF0000; border-top:#001A7C 5px solid; border-bottom:#001A7C 5px solid"|{{colour|#FFFFFF|Eddie Mountain division}} ! style=width:15em |Team ! style=width:2.2em |{{abbr|W|Wins}} ! style=width:2.2em |{{abbr|L|Losses}} ! style=width:2.2em |{{abbr|OTL|Overtime losses}} ! style=width:2.2em |{{abbr|Pts|Points}} ! style=width:2.2em |{{abbr|GF|Goals for}} ! style=width:2.2em |{{abbr|GA|Goals against}} |
| align=left|Fernie Ghostriders
| 29 | 11 | 4 | 62 | 163 | 121 |
| align=left|Kimberley Dynamiters
| 29 | 13 | 2 | 60 | 171 | 113 |
| align=left|Columbia Valley Rockies
|25 |14 |5 |55 |149 |122 |
| align=left|Creston Valley Thunder Cats
|21 |17 |5 |47 |146 |146 |
| align=left|Golden Rockets
|8 |31 |5 |21 |105 |187 |
| class="wikitable sortable"; style="text-align: right"
|+ style="background:#FF0000; border-top:#001A7C 5px solid; border-bottom:#001A7C 5px solid"|{{colour|#FFFFFF|Neil Murdoch division}} ! style=width:15em |Team ! style=width:2.2em |{{abbr|W|Wins}} ! style=width:2.2em |{{abbr|L|Losses}} ! style=width:2.2em |{{abbr|OTL|Overtime losses}} ! style=width:2.2em |{{abbr|Pts|Points}} ! style=width:2.2em |{{abbr|GF|Goals for}} ! style=width:2.2em |{{abbr|GA|Goals against}} |
| align=left|Beaver Valley Nitehawks
|32 |9 |3 |67 |206 |111 |
| align=left|Grand Forks Border Bruins
|28 |11 |5 |61 |184 |145 |
| align=left|Nelson Leafs
|24 |17 |3 |51 |167 |159 |
| align=left|Castlegar Rebels
|20 |19 |5 |45 |135 |142 |
| align=left|Spokane Braves
|11 |32 |1 |23 |133 |247 |
| class="wikitable sortable"; style="text-align: right"
|+ style="background:#FF0000; border-top:#001A7C 5px solid; border-bottom:#001A7C 5px solid"|{{colour|#FFFFFF|Bill Ohlhausen division}} ! style=width:15em |Team ! style=width:2.2em |{{abbr|W|Wins}} ! style=width:2.2em |{{abbr|L|Losses}} ! style=width:2.2em |{{abbr|OTL|Overtime losses}} ! style=width:2.2em |{{abbr|Pts|Points}} ! style=width:2.2em |{{abbr|GF|Goals for}} ! style=width:2.2em |{{abbr|GA|Goals against}} |
| align=left|Princeton Posse
|35 |8 |1 |71 |208 |96 |
| align=left|North Okanagan Knights
|18 |20 |6 |42 |123 |158 |
| align=left|Osoyoos Coyotes
|16 |24 |4 |36 |121 |177 |
| align=left|Kelowna Chiefs
|16 |24 |4 |36 |116 |157 |
| align=left|Summerland Steam
|9 |29 |6 |24 |74 |199 |
| class="wikitable sortable"; style="text-align: right"
|+ style="background:#FF0000; border-top:#001A7C 5px solid; border-bottom:#001A7C 5px solid"|{{colour|#FFFFFF|Doug Birks division}} ! style=width:15em |Team ! style=width:2.2em |{{abbr|W|Wins}} ! style=width:2.2em |{{abbr|L|Losses}} ! style=width:2.2em |{{abbr|OTL|Overtime losses}} ! style=width:2.2em |{{abbr|Pts|Points}} ! style=width:2.2em |{{abbr|GF|Goals for}} ! style=width:2.2em |{{abbr|GA|Goals against}} |
| align=left|Revelstoke Grizzlies
|34 |8 |2 |70 |193 |83 |
| align=left|Kamloops Storm
|31 |11 |2 |64 |167 |102 |
| align=left|Sicamous Eagles
|31 |12 |1 |63 |190 |126 |
| align=left|Chase Heat
|12 |29 |3 |27 |123 |192 |
| align=left|100 Mile House Wranglers
|11 |28 |5 |27 |105 |196 |
Source: {{Cite web |title=KIJHL team stats 2024–25 regular season |url=https://www.kijhl.ca/stats/standings |access-date=26 May 2024 |website=kijhl.ca}}
{{OSM Location map
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|mark-title1=Golden Rockets
|mark-title2=Columbia Valley Rockies
|mark-title3=Fernie Ghostriders
|mark-title4=Kimberley Dynamiters
|mark-title5=Creston Valley Thundercats
|mark-title7=Castlegar Rebels
|mark-title6=Nelson Leafs
|mark-title8=Beaver Valley Nitehawks
|mark-title9=Spokane Braves
|mark-title10=Grand Forks Border Bruins
|mark-title11=Osoyoos Coyotes
|mark-title12=Princeton Posse
|mark-title13=North Okanagan Knights
|mark-title14=Kelowna Chiefs
|mark-title15=Summerland Steam
|mark-title16=Revelstoke Grizzlies
|mark-title17=Sicamous Eagles
|mark-title18=Chase Heat
|mark-title20=100 Mile House Wranglers
|mark-title19=Kamloops Storm
|mark-description1=Golden & District Centennial Arena
|mark-description2=Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena
|mark-description3=Fernie Memorial Arena
|mark-description5=Johnny Buckyk Arena
|mark-description4=Kimberley Civic Centre
|mark-description6=Nelson & District Community Complex
|mark-description7=Castlegar & District Rec. Centre
|mark-description8=Fruitvale Arena
|mark-description9=Eagles Ice-A-Rena
|mark-description10=Jack Goddard Memorial Arena
|mark-description11=Osoyoos-Sunbowl Arena
|mark-description12=Princeton & District Arena
|mark-description13=NorVal Arena
|mark-description14=Rutland Arena
|mark-description15=Summerland Arena
|mark-description16=Revelstoke Forum
|mark-description17=Sicamous & District Rec. Centre
|mark-description18=Art Holding Memorial Arena
|mark-description20=South Cariboo Rec. Centre
|mark-description19=MacArthur Park Island Sports & Events Centre
}}
{{clear}}
Awards
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Award !League Winner !Eddie Mountain Winner !Neil Murdoch Winner !Doug Birks Winner !Bill Ohlhausen Winner |
| MVP
|Tristan Weill, Kimberley |Tristan Weill, Kimberley |Kaleb Percival, Beaver Valley |Daniel Kroon, Sicamous |Josh Hader, North Okanagan |
| Top Scorer
|Luke Chakrabarti, Creston Valley |Luke Chakrabarti, Creston Valley |Zach Baumann, Spokane |Owen Dewitt & Hayden Evans, Sicamous |Anmol Garcha, Princeton |
| Top Defenceman
|Max Chakrabarti, Creston Valley |Max Chakrabarti, Creston Valley |Kaleb Percival, Beaver Valley |Mikkel Hrechka, Revelstoke |Lucas Sadownyk, Princeton |
| Top Goaltender
|Jozef Kuchaslo, Revelstoke |Nate Glenn, Columbia Valley |Connor Stojan, Beaver Valley |Jozef Kuchaslo, Revelstoke |Josh Hader, North Okanagan |
| Rookie of the Year
|Owen Dewitt, Sicamous |Carter Velker, Columbia Valley |Zach Baumann, Spokane |Owen Dewitt, Sicamous |Vinay Junek, Princeton |
| Most Sportsmanlike
|Tyson Horiachka, Princeton |Tyson Tokarz, Creston Valley |Dawson Davis, Nelson |Jalen Davidson, Chase |Tyson Horiachka, Princeton |
| Coach of the Year
|Jiri Novak, Revelstoke |Ty Valin, Fernie |Terry Jones, Beaver Valley |Jiri Novak, Revelstoke |Mark Readman, Princeton |
Source: {{Cite web |title=2023–24 KIJHL individual awards |url=https://www.kijhl.ca/2023-24-kijhl-individual-awards |website=kijhl.ca |access-date=20 August 2024}}
Playoffs
The 2024 playoffs began with 16 teams in competition.
{{16TeamBracket
| seeds = no
| nowrap = yes
| boldwinner = high
| RD1=Division Semi Finals
| RD2=Division Finals
| RD3=Conference Finals
| RD4=2024 Teck Cup Championship
| RD1-team01 = Fernie
| RD1-score01 = 4
| RD1-team02 = Creston Valley
| RD1-score02 = 1
| RD1-team03 = Kimberley
| RD1-score03 = 1
| RD1-team04 = Columbia Valley
| RD1-score04 = 4
| RD1-team05 = Beaver Valley
| RD1-score05 = 4
| RD1-team06 = Castlegar
| RD1-score06 = 0
| RD1-team07 = Grand Forks
| RD1-score07 = 4
| RD1-team08 = Nelson
| RD1-score08 = 1
| RD1-team09 = Princeton
| RD1-score09 = 4
| RD1-team10 = Kelowna
| RD1-score10 = 1
| RD1-team11 = North Okanagan
| RD1-score11 = 4
| RD1-team12 = Osoyoos
| RD1-score12 = 0
| RD1-team13 = Revelstoke
| RD1-score13 = 4
| RD1-team14 = Chase
| RD1-score14 = 0
| RD1-team15 = Kamloops
| RD1-score15 = 4
| RD1-team16 = Sicamous
| RD1-score16 = 3
| RD2-team01 = Fernie
| RD2-score01 = 4
| RD2-team02 = Columbia Valley
| RD2-score02 = 2
| RD2-team03 = Beaver Valley
| RD2-score03 = 4
| RD2-team04 = Grand Forks
| RD2-score04 = 2
| RD2-team05 = Princeton
| RD2-score05 = 4
| RD2-team06 = North Okanagan
| RD2-score06 = 3
| RD2-team07 = Revelstoke
| RD2-score07 = 4
| RD2-team08 = Kamloops
| RD2-score08 = 0
| RD3-team01 = Fernie
| RD3-score01 = 4
| RD3-team02 = Beaver Valley
| RD3-score02 = 2
| RD3-team03 = Princeton
| RD3-score03 = 3
| RD3-team04 = Revelstoke
| RD3-score04 = 4
| RD4-team01 = Fernie
| RD4-score01 = 0
| RD4-team02 = Revelstoke
| RD4-score02 = 4
}}