Chilliwack getting WHL team as league expands to 24 teams

The Western Hockey League will return to Chilliwack starting next season.

The league announced Thursday that it will expand to 24 teams with a franchise in the city situated about 100 kilometres east of Vancouver in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley.

The ownership group includes former Vancouver Canucks forward Mason Raymond and former Chicago Blackhawks and Abbotsford Canucks head coach Jeremy Colliton.

Colliton will serve as governor, general manager, and head coach of the club.

The Western Hockey League announced today the awarding of an expansion franchise to Chilliwack, B.C., and its ownership group led by Jeremy Colliton, Brett Motherwell, Mason Raymond, Mario Amantea and Patrick Lathrop.

📝 | https://t.co/DC1pHDdYz7 https://t.co/y144eWIpG2

The team will play at the 5,000-seat Chilliwack Coliseum. Branding and the team name will be unveiled at a future local launch event.

It’s the second time the WHL has expanded to 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.