By Lexi McFarlane, Times Chronicle Junior “A” hockey in Osoyoos will have a completely refreshed look next season, as several updates are taking effect, both to the landscape of junior hockey in British Columbia, and to the Osoyoos Coyotes organization which has new owners. Among all of the changes is to the very league that the Coyotes play in, following the April 21 announcement by BC Hockey, the province’s governing board of sanctioned junior hockey, that the newly-formed British Columbia Hockey Conference (BCHC) has had its membership approved. The BCHC, which is composed of teams from the KIJHL and the Pacific Junior Hockey League, will become the new designated Junior “A” circuit in BC, three years after the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) broke away from BC Hockey and Hockey Canada to become independent.
For the Coyotes, the inclusion in the new BCHC comes at a time of organizational change, as new ownership looks to build off of the successful tenure of Randy Bedard. Former Osoyoos Storm player Justin Styffe, along with family members, will see the franchise through into this new era. Styffe praised Bedard’s ownership tenure, and says Bedard has been instrumental in getting Osoyoos hockey to the level it’s at currently.
“He’s done a great job of keeping us stable, and being a heartfelt pillar of our community,” Styffe said. “And now everybody knows who the Coyotes are. So we’re grateful that he was willing to give us the opportunity to ‘take the keys’, as you will.
It’s a really special moment for us.” Styffe says the new BCHC will be quite beneficial for the Coyotes, who will find themselves in a different division. The Coyotes will play in the Kootenay Division next season, as opposed to residing in the Interior Division. “That’s to level out the Divisions, have seven in the Kootenay Division and seven in the Interior,” Styffe explains.
“(But) it makes scheduling a little bit easier; with the addition of Quesnel and Williams Lake, the travel became (lengthy)... Going up to Quesnel and Williams Lake three times a season is a real trek from us, down here in Osoyoos.” The changes aren’t limited to the league and ownership, however. Styffe teased some updated branding for the Coyotes, along with updates to the Sun Bowl Arena that were recently approved by Town Council.
“We began painting the rink; all our colours are changing, new logo, new jerseys. We’re going to add a team gym upstairs in our mezzanine, and that’ll be available for minor hockey and for figure skating to use as well, free of charge. And we’re going to do a dressing room (renovation).” One thing the BCHC will help with besides travel, Styffe says, is encouraging top BC talents to stay closer to home, rather than having to go to other junior leagues in Alberta and beyond.
“Specifically for our BC players, it restores that Hockey Canada sanctioned pathway in BC with sort of a clear Tier 1,” Styffe said. “A lot of players that are from BC right now are lured to Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba to play Junior ‘A’ hockey... we’re hoping (the BCHC) can kind of build that stream in the development model.” With the Ruck twins, Markus and Liam, making a name for themselves in the Western Hockey League in the past couple of seasons, and with the Penticton Vees becoming an instant success in their inaugural WHL season, junior hockey in the South Okanagan is at one of its strongest points presently.
That’s the other hope Styffe has, is seeing Coyotes graduates make the jump to organizations like the Vees someday. “The Vees leaving (the BCHL) is actually good for us, because that’s our development model- we want to be sending players to the Western Hockey League, and we want people to know that the Okanagan Valley is a place where you can come, and play under Hockey Canada’s guidance, and develop and have good experiences. “We’re excited for what they, in Penticton, obviously did- that was an incredible season.” The BCHC will begin play in 2026-27, with a total of 22 teams formerly of the KIJHL and PJHL as member clubs.
The Coyotes will be hosting a kickoff event at the Osoyoos Smitty’s on Main Street, on June 4 at 2:30 p.m.
