In an unsurprising development, the Chiefs Development Group says the Western Hockey League option is effectively dead and they are pursuing a BCHL team as the primary tenant at Prospera Centre.
CDC sent out a news release Wednesday morning, with former Chilliwack Bruins co-owner Moray Keith talking about the possibility of the junior A Quesnel Millionaires relocating to the Fraser Valley.
Quesnel's current ownership group has publicly questioned the viability of continued operations in the northern B.C. town, and recently put the team on the sales block. Unable to replace the sold and relocated Bruins with another major junior club, Keith and business partner Jim Bond have zeroed in on the Mills.
“The WHL could bring us no existing franchise and has refused to entertain expansion,” Keith said. “But the truth is, the BCHL is very appreciated in Chilliwack and we definitely want hockey here this year. So we are talking with the people from Quesnel to see if we can create a good fit.”
Keith said it would take up to two weeks to complete a deal and meet the requirements of the league but added, “I do get quite excited about the natural rivalry that would exist between a BCHL team in Chilliwack and our former team in Langley.”
The Langley Chiefs officially changed their name to the Rivermen this week, paving the way for the Chiefs moniker to be reclaimed by a Chilliwack-based team.