​PORT COQUITLAM, BC – January 26, 2023… The City of Port Coquitlam is excited to welcome a new Pacific Junior Hockey League team to the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC).

The new team is set to play out of the Jon Baillie Arena which seats 780 spectators at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC) for the 2023-24 season.

“This is exciting news for hockey fans and for the community. I am thrilled to have this new Junior B team call the Port Coquitlam Community Centre their home,” Mayor Brad West said. “There is an abundance of community spirit that will rally around this new team showing their enthusiasm and support. This calibre of hockey will provide tremendous opportunities for our youth and will inspire children and youth  to pursue their sport interests by watching their community team in action in this great facility.”

The Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC) is a vibrant community hub offering a wide variety of new and enhanced amenities perched on the edge of downtown Port Coquitlam.

The stunning modern facility at 2150 Wilson Ave. houses three arenas (including a spectator arena with seating for 780), a gymnasium, a leisure pool, a fitness centre and studios, a children’s area for City Preschool and childminding, Terry Fox Library, a concession with snacks and drinks, overlooking the spectator arena, the large Mabbett Hall and other multi-purpose spaces, washrooms and changerooms with universal and accessible options, and underground parking with 425 spots and a pick-up/drop-off area.

The main entrance on Wilson Avenue greets visitors with plaza seating and gardens. Access is also possible from the south-side known as the Terry Fox Hometown Square, which features seating, lawn, sport courts (including pickleball), playgrounds, a walking path, community gardens, an outdoor spray park connected to the leisure pool and an outdoor gym (equipment coming later this summer), a café in the lobby and active rehab/physiotherapy near the fitness centre.

“We look forward to welcoming this new team, visitors, players, coaches and officials to the City of Port Coquitlam,” said Cllr. Steve Darling, Council’s designate for sport. “This is a great opportunity for local hockey fans and with the excitement created with our National Junior team, we hope to see the next wave of stars coming from Port Coquitlam.”

About the Pacific Junior Hockey League

The Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) is a 13-team junior ‘B’ hockey league with franchises spread throughout the Lower Mainland. The teams are divided into the Tom Shaw Conference and Harold Brittain Conference and play a 44 game regular season, followed by three rounds of league playoffs.

Port Coquitlam has a history with Junior hockey. The Poco Buckeroos operated out of the PoCo Recreation Centre from 1990 to 2006 before moving to Port Moody where the franchise continues in the PJHL as the Panthers.

The new franchise will engage the community to come up with a team name and logo which will be unveiled later this year. The team will join the league’s Tom Shaw Conference which will put seven teams in each division.

For more information about the PJHL please visit pjhl.net.

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MEDIA CONTACT

Ximena Ibacache
Manager of Communications & Administrative Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5499
Email ibacachex@portcoquitlam.ca