Northwest Notes March 25, 2025

WHL to add Penticton next season, Chilliwack in 2026

The Western Hockey League announced the awarding of an expansion franchise to the Penticton Vees for the 2025-26 WHL season along with the initiation of a franchise application process for the City of Chilliwack, to begin play in the 2026-27 WHL season.

Penticton will join the WHL’s B.C. Division and Western Conference for 2025-26.

The expansion of the WHL to Penticton and Chilliwack will increase the WHL footprint to 24 member clubs by 2026-27, including 18 throughout Western Canada and six in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S.

The Vees will participate in the 2025 WHL Expansion Draft, which is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7.

Penticton’s South Okanagan Events Centre — a WHL-ready, multi-purpose facility that seats 5,000 — has been home to the Penticton Vees since it opened in 2008. Penticton has fielded a Junior 'A' team the past 65 years.

The Chilliwack Coliseum, which seats 5,000, opened in 2004. Chilliwack also represents a natural, geographical rival for the WHL’s Vancouver Giants — who face the Chiefs in a first-round WHL playoff series starting Friday in Langley, British Columbia.