Penticton and Chilliwack to the WHL

[whldraft]

If this happened the WHL would split into two leagues. Also, they may add Steinbach, Winnipeg, Winkler and Selkirk to some of those Manitoba Teams.

They would add a few SJ locations before any of the MB teams. Winkler might have the population to support, but there are not even close to enough people to support more WHL teams in the east.

 

[OSA]

Expansion to the east without going States side (and even then) looks a lot more difficult unfortunately.

You need to have a viable population size and a suitable arena (or plans to build such upon being awarded an expansion franchise)

Places like Brooks, Estevan and Steinbach just aren’t big enough. Winkler has a metro area of around 32,000. That’s still too small and it would be even more of an outlier than Brandon…and there’s not suitable rink.

Geographically, Lloyminster would be an amazing place to add a team. It’s nicely situated between Edmonton & Red Deer to the west, Saskatoon & Prince Albert to the east (2.5-3.5 hrs for each). But again, the population is almost certainly too small (32,000 metro) and there is currently no suitable arena to play in.

The one place that I think could be a viable option is Grande Prairie. 70,000+ residents and growing. Good economy. A newish 3,000 seat arena that could possibly be expanded to the west.

It would admittedly be a ridiculous drive from Brandon (1,600 km), but you could limit the play between Brandon and Grande Prairie to 1 or 2 games a year. Brandon could make up those games with closer teams and Grande Prairie could have crossover games with Prince George (4-6 games per year). The OHL does cross conference play like this with Barrie/Owen Sound, Erie/Niagara & Soo/Sudbury/North Bay.

I’m sure BC and US division would be in support of this haha

 

[HamiltonOHL]

Heres my Question

Based on what we know if Vees join 25-26 and Chilliwack Joins 26-27 how does that work for divisions?

BC Division would have 7 teams

PG
Kelowna
Kamloops
Victoria
Vancouver
Vees
Chilliwack

US Division 6 Teams

Spokane
Seattle
Everett
Wenatchee
Tri-City
Portland

That would be the West Conference with 13 Teams

Mean while the East has 11

Brandon
Moose Jaw
Regina
Prince Albert
Saskatoon

Medicine Hat
Lethbridge
Calgary
Edmonton
Red Deer
Swift Current

Would they move a team to the East?

 

[superdeluxe]

Move Prince George to the Central

 

[hockeykid87]

Move Prince George to the Central

With apologies to the fans, supporters and employees of the Cougars, every single person in the WHL would be dancing in the streets if the Cougars were relocated to Chilliwack, instead of it being an expansion franchise.

 

[superdeluxe]

With apologies to the fans, supporters and employees of the Cougars, every single person in the WHL would be dancing in the streets if the Cougars were relocated to Chilliwack, instead of it being an expansion franchise.

Wasn’t there rumblings of a new owner (the Vancouver guy) getting a WhL team in abbotsford? Would be great for travel purposes

 

[hockeykid87]

Wasn’t there rumblings of a new owner (the Vancouver guy) getting a WhL team in abbotsford? Would be great for travel purposes

The original rumour was of Aquilini buying the Chilliwack Chiefs and the arena there. The team operated the building as well as the team, but there was a press release saying the team was relinquishing control of the building back to the city of Chilliwack, a clear sign that the BCHL was not sticking around.

We know there's a franchise available to be purchased in Chilliwack, but is the building for sale too? If so, Aquilini may buy it to increase his real estate portfolio. If it's just the franchise? Who knows.

 

[HamiltonOHL]

Move Prince George to the Central

that would give them 7 and East 5 if thats how it will work

 

[MeHateHe]

that would give them 7 and East 5 if thats how it will work

What's he's suggesting is that when Chilliwack is in, you shift PG to the Central, and then you'll have four six-team divisions. FTR, Prince George will hate that idea, because they see Kamloops as their biggest rival (no matter what Kamloops might think).