VIJHL

The Port Alberni Bombers of the VIJHL have hired Gaelan Patterson as their inaugural head coach and general manager. He will join the team in August 2021. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

VIJHL: Expansion Port Alberni Bombers hire coach and GM

Saskatchewan coach excited to join city’s new Jr. B hockey team

The Port Alberni Bombers of the VIJHL have hired Gaelan Patterson as their inaugural head coach and general manager. He will join the team in August 2021. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Port Alberni’s BCHL ownership team is bringing a Junior B hockey team to the city for 2021-22. (SCREENSHOT)

Port Alberni joins Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League

Expansion Port Alberni Bombers cleared for takeoff in 2021

Port Alberni’s BCHL ownership team is bringing a Junior B hockey team to the city for 2021-22. (SCREENSHOT)
Former Oceanside Generals standout Max Creighton is raising funds for Cystic Fibrosis Canada. (PQB News file photo)
Former Oceanside Generals standout Max Creighton is raising funds for Cystic Fibrosis Canada. (PQB News file photo)
Matt Ellison was a star with the Kerry Park Islanders before embarking on a pro career that included stops in the NHL and KHL. (Submitted)

Ex-NHLers to highlight Island Junior B hockey alumni games

Matt Ellison and Kyle Greentree commit to suit up in August for Kerry Park-Peninsula matches

Matt Ellison was a star with the Kerry Park Islanders before embarking on a pro career that included stops in the NHL and KHL. (Submitted)
Rick Hannibal takes over as new general manager of Oceanside Generals. (Oceanside Generals photo)

Hannibal takes over as general manager of VIJHL’s Oceanside Generals

New GM has been a board member with the organization since 2016-17

Rick Hannibal takes over as new general manager of Oceanside Generals. (Oceanside Generals photo)
Andrew Riddell was instrumental in helping the Oceanside Generals develop young players. (Oceanside Generals photo)

Andrew Riddell steps down as GM of VIJHL’s Oceanside Generals

Former BCHL player from Nanaimo moves on after promotion from full-time employer

Andrew Riddell was instrumental in helping the Oceanside Generals develop young players. (Oceanside Generals photo)
Oceanside Generals defenceman Brandon Hannibal, right, is disappointed the VIJHL season is over. (PQB News file photo)

Graduating player feels ‘robbed’ with ending of VIJHL season

League board votes unanimously to conclude play due to COVID-19 concerns

Oceanside Generals defenceman Brandon Hannibal, right, is disappointed the VIJHL season is over. (PQB News file photo)
Peninsula Panthers and Kerry Park Islanders players battle during a Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League game in November 2020. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

VIJHL pulls plug on 2020-21 season

‘It seemed that this is the time to make this decision’

Peninsula Panthers and Kerry Park Islanders players battle during a Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League game in November 2020. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
Kerry Park forward Dawson Elzinga slides the puck past a Westshore defender during a VIJHL game last October. (Black Press Media photo)

Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League remains hopeful about 2020-21 season

Annual awards are cancelled, but league wants to resume season if possible

Kerry Park forward Dawson Elzinga slides the puck past a Westshore defender during a VIJHL game last October. (Black Press Media photo)
The Westshore Wolves, along with eight other Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League teams, have been off the ice since last November due to pandemic-related restrictions. The league is awaiting the next round of public health orders, due this week, to plan its next moves. (Black Press Media file photo)

Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League awaits next public health order

Junior B league on pause since November due to COVID restrictions

  • Feb 1, 2021
The Westshore Wolves, along with eight other Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League teams, have been off the ice since last November due to pandemic-related restrictions. The league is awaiting the next round of public health orders, due this week, to plan its next moves. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Kerry Park Islanders and Peninsula Panthers battle during a Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League game in November 2020. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League hasn’t given up on season

Games can’t resume until at least February, but league brass still hopeful

The Kerry Park Islanders and Peninsula Panthers battle during a Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League game in November 2020. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League has eyed Jan. 15 as a return date to action, pending provincial announcements. (Gordon Lee/Submitted)
Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League has eyed Jan. 15 as a return date to action, pending provincial announcements. (Gordon Lee/Submitted)
VIJHL in action. (file photo)

VIJHL suspends season until Jan. 10

Provincial health order preventing 19- and 20-year-olds from skating

VIJHL in action. (file photo)
Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League has halted all games until further notice based on B.C. public health officer orders and information from B.C. Hockey. Pictured here, action between Nanaimo and Campbell River from last March. (News Bulletin file)

VIJHL hits pause on season due to COVID-19 orders

All games postponed beginning Nov. 21, says hockey league

Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League has halted all games until further notice based on B.C. public health officer orders and information from B.C. Hockey. Pictured here, action between Nanaimo and Campbell River from last March. (News Bulletin file)
Saanich Predators launched its new logo Oct. 2 in time for its first VIJHL game of the season. (Courtesy Saanich Predators)

Saanich junior hockey club launches orca logo in time for season opener

VIJHL team relies on streaming for fans amid COVID-19 precautions

Saanich Predators launched its new logo Oct. 2 in time for its first VIJHL game of the season. (Courtesy Saanich Predators)
The Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League is set to begin its 50th consecutive season on Oct. 1 pending final approval from local health authorities and viaSport. File photo by Marissa Tiel – Campbell River Mirror

VIJHL season could start Oct. 1, says league president

League awaiting final approval from local health authorities and viaSport

The Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League is set to begin its 50th consecutive season on Oct. 1 pending final approval from local health authorities and viaSport. File photo by Marissa Tiel – Campbell River Mirror
The Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) is working to finalize a start date for the upcoming Island Junior B hockey season. In this file photo, the Campbell River Storm celebrate their ninth win in a row during regular season Junior B action at the Rod Brind’Amour Arena in Campbell River, B.C. on Jan. 3, 2020. The Storm beat the Generals 1-0. File photo by Marissa Tiel – Campbell River Mirror

VIJHL finalizing cohort groups and schedules for upcoming season

Start date is still unknown, but should be announced in the coming weeks, says league

The Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) is working to finalize a start date for the upcoming Island Junior B hockey season. In this file photo, the Campbell River Storm celebrate their ninth win in a row during regular season Junior B action at the Rod Brind’Amour Arena in Campbell River, B.C. on Jan. 3, 2020. The Storm beat the Generals 1-0. File photo by Marissa Tiel – Campbell River Mirror
All-star defenceman Matt Baird is among the players confirmed to be returning from last year’s Kerry Park Islanders team. (Citizen file)

Under new ownership, Cowichan’s Isles prepare for 2020-21

The Isles have gone through some ups and downs in recent seasons

All-star defenceman Matt Baird is among the players confirmed to be returning from last year’s Kerry Park Islanders team. (Citizen file)
The start of the round 2 VIJHL playoff series between the Campbell River Storm and the Oceanside Generals has been postponed until Saturday, March 14. In this January 2020 file photo, Brendan Murray (26) fights for the puck deep in the Oceanside Generals end during regular season Junior B action at the Rod Brind’Amour Arena in Campbell River, B.C. on Jan. 3, 2020. The Storm beat the Generals 1-0. Photo by Marissa Tiel – Campbell River Mirror

Vancouver Island junior hockey playoff series postponed over COVID-19 concerns

Game 1 between Campbell River Storm and Oceanside Generals pushed to Saturday; no Game 2 date announced

The start of the round 2 VIJHL playoff series between the Campbell River Storm and the Oceanside Generals has been postponed until Saturday, March 14. In this January 2020 file photo, Brendan Murray (26) fights for the puck deep in the Oceanside Generals end during regular season Junior B action at the Rod Brind’Amour Arena in Campbell River, B.C. on Jan. 3, 2020. The Storm beat the Generals 1-0. Photo by Marissa Tiel – Campbell River Mirror
Campbell River Storm headed to the Cyclone Taylor Cup

Campbell River Storm headed to the Cyclone Taylor Cup

The Campbell River Storm are Vancouver Island Hockey League champions and moving…

Campbell River Storm headed to the Cyclone Taylor Cup