# Vancouver Island junior hockey season scheduling > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/vancouver-island-junior-hockey-season-scheduling > Updated: 2026-09-04T22:00:00.000Z. Sources: 24. Developments: 4. The Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) has commenced its 2026-2027 regular season, which features 11 teams playing 48 games each. Following the season opener on September 4, several teams secured early victories. The Victoria Cougars earned a 6-5 overtime win against the Saanich Predators, highlighted by an Avery Lowe hat trick. The Nanaimo Buccaneers also won their opening matchup, defeating the Lake Cowichan Kraken 3-2. The Westshore Wolves secured a 4-1 victory over the Peninsula Panthers. On September 5, the Campbell River Storm defeated the Comox Valley Glacier Kings 4-1, and the Port Alberni Bombers beat the Oceanside Generals 5-2. The Peninsula Panthers also recorded a 4-2 win against the Kerry Park Islanders. Earlier preparations for the season included training camps for all teams and coaching transitions, such as Craig Didmon taking over the defending champion Victoria Cougars. The league continues to utilize international recruitment through a partnership with the B.C. Hockey League, featuring players from 13 different countries. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-04: VIJHL teams secure wins in 2026-27 season openers The VIJHL 2026-27 season opened with wins for the Victoria Cougars, Nanaimo Buccaneers, Westshore Wolves, Campbell River Storm, Port Alberni Bombers, and Peninsula Panthers. 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vancouver-giants-to-host-inaugural-game-at-new-langley-rink ### 2026-09-02: Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League begins 2026-27 season The Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League begins its 2026-27 season this weekend, featuring 11 teams and an increasing number of international players from 13 different countries. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vancouver-island-junior-hockey-league-begins-2026-27-season ### 2026-08-20: VIJHL releases 2026–27 regular-season schedule The VIJHL has announced its 2026–27 regular-season schedule, featuring the Kerry Park Islanders' home opener on September 5 and the Lake Cowichan Kraken's home opener on September 18. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vijhl-releases-202627-regular-season-schedule ### 2026-08-10: Junior hockey leagues release 2026-2027 season schedules Junior hockey leagues VIJHL and WIJHL have released their 2026-2027 schedules, featuring the Enderby Icemen's inaugural season and upcoming regular season play for Vancouver Island teams. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/junior-hockey-leagues-release-2026-2027-season-schedules --- Cite as: Vancouver Island junior hockey season scheduling. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/vancouver-island-junior-hockey-season-scheduling