Quesnel awarded KIJHL franchise
QUESNEL — The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League announced today that the North Okanagan Knights franchise has been sold and relocated to Quesnel, where they will be known as the River Rush.
The sale and move was approved unanimously by the KIJHL’s Board of Governors and will take effect immediately. With the addition of the River Rush, the KIJHL geographic footprint expands a further 120 kilometres north and provides the Cariboo with a third franchise in addition to the 100 Mile House Wranglers and Williams Lake Mustangs.
The River Rush will be owned and operated by local businessman Tracy Mero, who has previously been the principal owner of the Kamloops Storm since 2019. Part of the KIJHL’s approval process for the sale and relocation to Quesnel involved the sale of the Kamloops franchise from Mero to longtime Storm president and governor Matt Kolle.
“The KIJHL is thrilled to be involved in the return of Junior A hockey to Quesnel,” says KIJHL commissioner Jeff Dubois. “We’ve been so excited to see the passion and enthusiasm that has been building throughout this process and we can’t wait to experience the incredible atmosphere when the team hits the ice this fall.”