The Western Hockey League announced it will expand to 24 teams with a Chilliwack franchise returning to play next season at the Chilliwack Coliseum.
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The Western Hockey League announced Thursday that it will expand to 24 teams and award a franchise in Chilliwack, about 100 kilometres east of Vancouver in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley.
The club is set to begin next season and will play its home games at the 5,000-seat Chilliwack Coliseum.
The ownership group includes former Vancouver Canucks forward Mason Raymond and former Chicago Blackhawks and Abbotsford Canucks head coach Jeremy Colliton, along with Brett Motherwell, Mario Amantea and Patrick Lathrop.
Colliton will serve as governor, general manager and head coach of the new club.
The team’s branding and name are expected to be revealed at a future local launch event.
It will be the second time the WHL has had a team in Chilliwack: the Chilliwack Bruins joined the league as its 21st team and played from 2006 to 2011 before relocating to Victoria.
Chilliwack is also home to the Chiefs of the BCHL.
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