Editor’s Note: With puck drop on the 2025-26 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season coming on Sept. 19, kijhl.ca is providing fans with a preview on all 21 teams. We are featuring the teams in our readership area.

The Kelowna Chiefs finished last season fifth in the Bill Ohlhausen division with a record of 19-21-3-0 for 42 points. They missed the playoffs by eight points. This season they look to qualify with new head coach-general manager Rylan Ferster.

It’s not the first time Ferster has been hired late into an off-season - it’s happened twice before with the West Kelowna Warriors and Victoria Grizzlies, who he joined for a second stint in 2022-23.

“It’s drinking through a fire hose,” joked Ferster, when it comes to learning about his roster.

He won’t have to worry ab

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