Chilliwack hockey fans are hoping that the apology turns out to be louder than the disrespect when it comes to the Western Hockey League's past and future at the Chilliwack Coliseum.
The WHL hosted a media event at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre on Tuesday (March 25) morning to announce Chilliwack's return to the league in 2026-27 and league commissioner Dan Near made it clear that mistakes were made when the Chilliwack Bruins left town following the 2010-11 season after just five seasons.
Despite the fact that he was not the commissioner back then, he said he realized why there could be some uncertainty from hockey fans after the Bruins situation.
"I know the pain it caused," he said. "Looking back, our departure was regrettable and created a long-standing friction between our league and this vibrant and growing community. I can't turn back the clock, but I can look everyone here in the eye and say, on behalf of the league, that I apologize for what this community went through in 2011. We made a mistake and can't change what happened, but we're here today to make amends for it."
Near added that the WHL intends to make Chilliwack a permanent location and the WHL of today is more protective of its communities.
"The structure of our lease with the city is long-term," he said. "It's designed to provide a guarantee and assurance to the city and its residents."
The one thing the franchise does not have yet is an owner. The franchise application process has started, but the league has not yet issued information packets for interested parties. Once those packets are created, prospective owners will have a time period to do their research and apply before submitting a bid. A set of finalists will be chosen amongst those bids, which will be followed up by final presentations and then a decision on who is awarded the franchise.
Near said that owners will preferably have a connection with the community, but if not then the operating team must be deeply connected to the community. He noted that it's important that the team's management have a relationship with the local business community and youth hockey associations.
BREAKING: Ownership of the @chwkcoliseum will revert back to @City_Chilliwack starting on May 1. It was previously under a public-private partnership with @Chiefs_Hockey.
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) March 21, 2025
This opens up the building to other tenants (like @TheWHL) pic.twitter.com/MoQKBJ8lk9
When asked how Chilliwack will fare in a crowded Fraser Valley hockey market – with the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks, the WHL's Vancouver Giants in Langley and a number of other junior hockey teams – especially when the team was forced to move last time, Near stated that he has confidence in the Chilliwack market.
"I don't think Chilliwack was ever not viable," he said, of the strength of the Chilliwack hockey market. "I think there was decision makings, internal tensions and structural things that resulted in the team moving. The lowest attendance the team ever had was 3,200, which isn't too shabby. So I don't think it was a lack of viability – that might have been part of the story line at that time – but I think Chilliwack's always been viable and with this investment it has a chance to not only be viable, but one of the shining stars in the league."
The City of Chilliwack was represented at the media event by acting mayor Jason Lum, who said that the planned $3.7 million in upgrades to the Chilliwack Coliseum will provide a better experience for all patrons and satisfy the WHL. He also thanked the Chiefs Development Group for a strong partnership for many years.
Lum was asked about 2025-26 plans for the Coliseum and stated that the Chiefs may be using the facility for BCHL play.
"Right now we're working with the Chiefs to make sure that, if they wish, they have a home for this next season," he said. "So that's our plan right now along with the upgrades that are being planned."
Lum said that there may also be additional access to the rink for community groups and that he is not anticipating that the construction impact usage of the facility.
The Chilliwack media event came one day after a Penticton media event that saw the WHL confirm entry into the league for the Penticton Vees. The Vees will begin play in the 2025-26 season, with Chilliwack joining in 2026-27.
The WHL announced today the awarding of an expansion franchise to the @PentictonVees for the 2025-26 WHL season along with the initiation of a franchise application process for the @City_Chilliwack, to begin play in the 2026-27 WHL season.
— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) March 24, 2025
📰 | https://t.co/KVBoiC9Puc pic.twitter.com/v0rGb0PsPQ
