Image Credit: CFJC Today
BALL HOCKEY

Kamloops set to host BC Ball Hockey Provincials over next two weekends

Jul 3, 2025 | 4:25 PM

KAMLOOPS — Hockey season isn’t quite over in Kamloops, as the city is set to host the 2025 BC Ball Hockey Provincials over the next two weekends.

The Kamloops Blackjacks took to the floor Wednesday (July 2) night in preparation for the tournament, after winning their Kamloops division. Tyson Gayfer is one of those players, a former junior hockey player, who was surprised when he took to the sport six years ago.

“It’s a lot of fun. I didn’t know what I was getting into when I started ball hockey. I thought it would just be kind of a fun shoot-around, but it’s been awesome. The guys are great, and everyone wants to win,” says Gayfer.

Kamloops is set to host teams from all over the province over the next two weekends. The tournament starts on Friday (July 4) with the men’s ‘B’, ‘C’, & ‘D’ divisions, with the finals set for Sunday (July 6).

A Kamloops team will be competing in every division at provincials.

The Junkyard Dogs will play in the ‘B’ division, the Cool Connection Nordiques in the “C’ division, and the Kamloops Painting Pros Flyers in the ‘D’ division.

Both the Kamloops Blackjacks and Kamloops Rivershore Kings – who won the ‘B’ division title last season – will be competing in the men’s ‘A’ division, with that tournament taking place July 11 to 13.

“A lot of people don’t know that in ball hockey we play on the rink and it’s not outdoors. We play full ice and it’s taken pretty seriously,” Jesse Phillips, the Registrar with the Kamloops Ball Hockey Association said. “There are these provincial tournaments and the winners of these tournaments get to go to nationals, which are all held all over Canada.”

“Even further than that, there are international events that are held in Europe. I think the guys will tell you they’re out here to have fun, but they definitely want to win.”

New this year is a Kamloops-based women’s team which was put together after the Kamloops Ball Hockey Association’s co-ed Rec League took off in popularity.

The Kamloops Vibe will hope to capture the Women’s division title, with that tournament also scheduled for the weekend of July 11 to 13.

“We’ve really grown in our base in terms of women players,” added Phillips, “So we thought to ourselves, since we’re hosting provincials, let’s see if we can get a team together this year.”

“We’ve combined a bunch of the girls that play in our league with some of the girls that play on the Kamloops Vibe and they’re going to create a team and compete.”

All of the games are free to attend and they will be taking place at Valleyview Arena, Sandman Centre, and McArthur Island. Phillips says there will be door prizes, silent auctions, and activities for all ages as well.

For the full tournament schedule across all divisions, you can click here.