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Hockey Valley's Junior Teams Gear Up for Exciting Season Ahead

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Hockey fans in Port Alberni are buzzing with excitement as the Alberni Valley Bulldogs and the Port Alberni Bombers prepare to hit the ice for their junior hockey seasons. The Bulldogs, a member of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), will face off against the Powell River Kings in their first exhibition game on September 7, followed by matches against the Nanaimo Clippers and Cowichan Valley Capitals. Meanwhile, the Bombers, playing in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL), will kick off their regular season on September 5 against the Lake Cowichan Kraken and then face the Nanaimo Buccaneers on September 15.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Alberni Valley Bulldogs will play their first BCHL exhibition game against the Powell River Kings on September 7.
  • The Bulldogs will also face off against the Nanaimo Clippers and Cowichan Valley Capitals in their three-game pre-season.
  • The Port Alberni Bombers will start their VIJHL regular season on September 5 against the Lake Cowichan Kraken and have their first home game against the Nanaimo Buccaneers on September 15.
  • New Bombers coach Troy Newans will face off against his previous team, the Campbell River Storm, on September 12 in Campbell River.
  • The Bulldogs' regular season will kick off on September 19 and September 20 against the Nanaimo Clippers, with the first home game on September 20.
  • The Bulldogs will play their first match against the Blackfell Bulldogs from Alberta on October 9.
  • The Bombers will have their last match of the regular season on home ice on February 16, while the Bulldogs will end their regular season on March 28 with a home game.
  • The season schedules for both teams are available online at www.albernivalleybulldogs.ca and portalbernibombers.ca.
  • As of the publication date, trades are ongoing for the Bulldogs, with Cole Bishop being traded to the Coquitlam Express in exchange for future considerations.

Statistics:

  • 3 pre-season exhibition games for the Bulldogs against the Powell River Kings, Nanaimo Clippers, and Cowichan Valley Capitals.
  • 2 home games for the Bombers on September 15 and October 18.
  • 2 games on September 19 and 20 for the Bulldogs against the Nanaimo Clippers.
  • 1 match on October 9 for the Bulldogs against the Blackfell Bulldogs from Alberta.
  • 23 home games for the Bulldogs, including the regular season opener and closing game.
  • The regular season will conclude for the Bulldogs on March 28 and for the Bombers on February 26.

Sources:

  • Alberni Valley News, "Hockey Valley's junior hockey teams gear up for season ahead" (2025)
  • British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) website (no date)
  • Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) website (no date)

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