The Osoyoos Coyotes, Princeton Posse and Summerland Jets are preparing to launch a new chapter in Junior A hockey as the British Columbia Hockey Conference gets set for its inaugural 2026-27 season.
The BCHC has released its regular-season schedule, divisional alignment and playoff format for the league’s first season, which features 22 member clubs competing in a 50-game regular season.
The three South Okanagan clubs will compete in the five-team Valley Division alongside the Chilliwack Jets and Langley Trappers. The top four teams in the division will qualify for the 2027 BCHC playoffs.
Osoyoos and Summerland kick off their rivalry with a home-and-home series. The Coyotes visit the Jets on Friday, Sept. 18, at Summerland Arena before Summerland returns the favour the following night at Sun Bowl Arena in Osoyoos.
Princeton opens its season on Friday, Sept. 18, with a road game against the Merritt Centennials before hosting the Kamloops Storm the following evening at Princeton & District Arena.
The BCHC’s inaugural regular season begins Thursday, Sept. 10, when the Delta Ice Hawks visit the Richmond Sockeyes. Each team will play 25 home games and 25 road games, with 550 games scheduled across B.C.
The Valley Division will also take part in the league’s limited crossover schedule. The Chilliwack Jets, Langley Trappers, Osoyoos Coyotes, Princeton Posse and Summerland Jets will play a combined 12 interdivision games during the regular season.
Teams will remain within their divisions through the first two rounds of the playoffs. The Valley Division champion will then face the Mainland Division champion in the league semifinals, with the winners advancing to the 2027 Mowat Cup final.
The playoff schedule opens with the division semifinals on Friday, March 5, followed by the division finals on March 19, the league semifinals on April 2 and the Mowat Cup final on April 16.
Opening games for South Okanagan teams
- Friday, Sept. 18: Osoyoos Coyotes at Summerland Jets, 7 p.m. PDT, Summerland Arena
- Friday, Sept. 18: Princeton Posse at Merritt Centennials, 7 p.m. PDT, Nicola Valley Arena
- Saturday, Sept. 19: Summerland Jets at Osoyoos Coyotes, 6:50 p.m. PDT, Sun Bowl Arena
- Saturday, Sept. 19: Kamloops Storm at Princeton Posse, 7 p.m. PDT, Princeton & District Arena
