Okanagan KIJHL team sold, moving to Williams Lake

Hockey fans in Williams Lake get to saddle up and support a new local junior hockey team.

In a news release issued Friday (March 22), the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) announced the Summerland Steam Junior A Hockey Club has been sold, relocated to Williams Lake, and rebranded as the Mustangs.

It’s a tip of the cap to the Williams Lake Mustangs who played in the Peace Cariboo Junior Hockey League and Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League throughout its existence in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.

The sale and move was approved unanimously by the KIJHL’s Board of Governors. The KIJHL says the Mustangs will be owned and operated by a local group featuring Tyrel and Robin Lucas, Gerald Overton, Brad Paddison, Parnell Pinette and Aaron and Nathan Zurak.

“Our group is excited to be part of a group that has been able to bring junior hockey back to Williams Lake, and more specifically, bring back the iconic ‘Mustangs’ brand,” Parnell Pinette, Mustangs governor, said.

“Growing up watching the Mustangs and aspiring to play that level in front of hundreds of screaming friends and family is a dream, and now we are able to give our local hockey talent that same opportunity. Williams Lake is such a great sports town and we hope to build something they can be proud of. We’d like to thank the KIJHL for this opportunity.”

Williams Lake local Tyrel Lucas will serve as the Mustangs’ head coach. The team will play out of the 1,100-seat Cariboo Memorial Recreation Centre, with renovations planned prior to the 2024-25 season to enhance team spaces, including the dressing room, team offices and broadcast area.

The KIJHL says further details regarding the Mustangs, including season ticket information, spring camp dates and locations and staffing announcements will be released in the coming weeks.