Western Hockey League officially awards expansion franchise in Chilliwack

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Colliton has coached in the NHL and the AHL, and Near said his credibility, leadership, and deep roots in Western Canadian hockey will bring an “important dimension” to the new team as it establishes itself in Chilliwack.

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“I’m honoured to be back in the Western Hockey League, which played such an important role in my development as a player and person,” Colliton said. “Our family is thrilled to be returning to the Fraser Valley. We are grateful for the partners we have at the City of Chilliwack, and in the regional business community. We look forward to building a franchise the hockey fans of Chilliwack will be proud of.”

“We are ecstatic to be bringing a WHL expansion franchise to the Fraser Valley,” added Motherwell. “Our expectation is to establish a longstanding, championship-calibre Club that the people of Chilliwack will be proud of. It has been a longtime dream for Jeremy and I to work together in junior hockey and there is no better opportunity to do that than right here in Chilliwack.”

“The changing hockey landscape has created a potential that previously did not exist, and the future for major junior hockey has never been brighter. We can’t wait to make an impact in the community.”

The new Chilliwack franchise will play out of the Chilliwack Coliseum and will be part of the B.C. Division and Western Conference starting in the 2027-28 season. The club’s brand and name will be revealed at a future local launch event in Chilliwack.

“We’re excited to welcome the Western Hockey League back to Chilliwack, and look forward to meeting the new ownership group and the team,” said Mayor Jason Lum. “I encourage residents and visitors to pack the Coliseum on game days, get behind our new team, and help make this a win for Chilliwack both on and off the ice.”

The Chilliwack Coliseum – a WHL-ready, multi-purpose facility that seats 5,000 – opened in 2004 and is now owned and operated by the City of Chilliwack, with substantial upgrades approved ahead of 2027-28.

The 144,000 square-foot facility features two NHL-sized ice rinks, modern dressing rooms, food and beverage service, team merchandise store, and 13 premium suites.

This marks the return of the WHL to Chilliwack since the previous franchise relocated to Victoria to become the Royals following the 2010-11 WHL season.

“This is an opportunity to write a new chapter in Chilliwack’s hockey history,” Near said. “We’re committed to working with ownership and the community to build a first-class franchise that earns the trust and support of its fans for years to come.”

Led by Colliton, hockey operations staff for the WHL Chilliwack franchise will begin work assembling a roster immediately, including participating in the WHL Expansion Draft and WHL Prospects Draft in the spring of 2027.

Parameters for the 2027 WHL Expansion Draft, similar to what was done with the Penticton Vees joined the league ahead of the 2025-26 season, will be announced at a later date.