Report: Penticton to be newest expansion club to join Western Hockey League

MONTREAL, Quebec – It appears the Western Hockey League is about to have a makeover. 

Sources indicate to Elite Prospects that the WHL will welcome an expansion club from Penticton, British Columbia to the league to begin the 2025-26 campaign. The newly created team has reportedly already paid a substantial seven-figure fee to the Kelowna Rockets for bringing a team so close in proximity to the Rockets. 

While it's been difficult to lock down the exact expansion fee paid to the league, sources have indicated anywhere from 5 million to 15 million dollars. Either way, such large numbers ensures that new ownership has deep pockets. It also means that the remaining 22 organizations will take home a tidy sum of money for their troubles.

While it is not yet clear who the ownership group is, it wouldn't be outrageous to expect to see a familiar name or two from the Penticton Vees' alumni who went on to have NHL success (both on the ice and financially). 

There have also been whispers that Chilliwack could also join the league as an expansion franchise. Sources indicate that that move is more likely to happen for the beginning of the 2026-27 season assuming new ownership can secure a deal with the city. 

Vancouver Canucks owner, Francesco Aquilini has been linked as a potential new owner for that team. 

What this will mean to the BCHL remains a mystery. Penticton has been a crown jewel for the league for many years and draws strong revenue. Additionally, the league has been reacting to the exodus of talent to the CHL now that players can play major junior hockey before moving on to the NCAA. 

It's been a difficult year for the BCHL, but one can imagine that a league that's been producing high-quality hockey for over 60 years will continue to adapt to survive.