Castlegar Rebels

06/18/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Castlegar Rebels Congratulate Alex Evin on BCHL Opportunity with Trail Smoke Eaters

CASTLEGAR, BC – The Castlegar Rebels Junior Hockey Club is proud to congratulate Alex Evin on his appointment with the Trail Smoke Eaters of the BCHL. Alex will join the organization as Associate Coach, Assistant General Manager, and Skills Director.

Alex has been an invaluable member of the Rebels organization, demonstrating outstanding leadership, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to player development. His passion for the game and dedication to helping young athletes reach their potential have made a lasting impact on our players and our program.

"On behalf of the entire Castlegar Rebels organization, I want to congratulate Alex on this tremendous opportunity," said Mitch Rinas, President of the Castlegar Rebels. "While we're certainly going to miss having him behind our bench, we're incredibly proud to see him advance to the BCHL. This is a well-deserved opportunity, and we have no doubt he'll make a significant impact with the Trail Smoke Eaters."

The Rebels take great pride in developing not only players but also coaches and hockey operations staff.

"Alex's advancement is another example of what our organization strives to achieve," added Rinas. "Our commitment to development extends beyond our players—we are equally committed to helping our coaches and staff grow and pursue opportunities at the next level. Seeing Alex earn this position reinforces that commitment and reflects the culture we've worked hard to build."

The Castlegar Rebels thank Alex for his dedication and contributions to the organization and wish him every success as he begins this exciting new chapter with the Trail Smoke Eaters.

About the Castlegar Rebels

The Castlegar Rebels are committed to providing a first-class junior hockey experience while developing players, coaches, and staff both on and off the ice. Competing in the Western International Junior Hockey League (WIJHL), the Rebels continue to foster an environment focused on excellence, character, and advancement to the next level.

Media Contact:

Mitch Rinas
President
Castlegar Rebels Junior Hockey Club

06/12/2026

🚨 ANNOUNCEMENT: Brent Heaven Joins Castlegar Rebels as Assistant Coach! 🚨

The Castlegar Rebels are thrilled to announce that Brent Heaven is returning to join our coaching staff as an Assistant Coach!

Brent’s hockey journey comes full circle, returning to the very club where he first started his coaching career as an assistant back in 2005–06.

Coaching Highlights:
🔸Led Selkirk College to back-to-back BCIHL Championships (2015, 2016).
🔸Named 2019 BCIHL Coach of the Year & 2010 KIJHL Divisional Coach of the Year.
🔸Former BCHL Assistant Coach & Director of Player Personnel for the Trail Smoke Eaters.
🔸Background in driving elite youth and collegiate player advancement.

Brent’s extensive 15-year career, combined with his sharp on-ice strategy, makes him an incredible asset to our players and organization as we push for success!

🤝 Thank You, Ed 👏

With this transition, the Rebels organization wants to extend a massive thank you to Ed Lindsey.

Ed has poured his heart into this franchise, first making an impact on the ice as a player and most recently behind the bench as our Assistant Coach. We are incredibly grateful for his hard work, dedication, and contributions to Rebels hockey, and we wish him the absolute very best as he moves on to new endeavours!

Please join us in welcoming Coach Heaven back to Castlegar, and thanking Coach Lindsey for his incredible service! 🙌🏒


Western International Junior Hockey League

06/08/2026

🚫 Myth:
The Rebels will have to travel more in the WIJHL.

✅ Fact:
The travel will be basically the same as staying in the KIJHL. The original eight WIJHL teams were the same clubs relegated to the Junior B division of the KIJHL, so the main travel footprint has not changed, aside from any future expansion teams.

06/01/2026

🚨 MYTHBUSTERS MONDAY 🚨

❌ Myth: The WIJHL won't have any referees or on-ice officials because it is Independent.

✅ Fact: BC Hockey rules allow on-ice officials to work BC Minor Hockey and EITHER independent junior hockey OR sanctioned junior hockey. Officials simply cannot officiate in both junior leagues at the same time.

05/26/2026

2006 - 2011 born skaters and goaltenders, join us for the Rebels Summer ID Camp this August 14-16 in Trail, BC!

Skaters: $275 (GST included).
Goaltenders: $300 (GST included).

Registration is now open at the Rebels website at castlegarrebels.ca or at the link in our ‘About’.

Questions? Contact Jesse Dorrans at [email protected].

05/25/2026

Week #2 Affiliation
WIJHL players will have the opportunity to affiliate with the BCHL.
Under this structure, players will affiliate with the league as a whole, rather than with a specific BCHL team. This approach allows players the flexibility to potentially play for multiple BCHL teams.

05/21/2026

Exciting News to Share! 🔥🏒🥅🔥

The Western International Junior Hockey League (WIJHL) is pleased to announce that an expansion franchise has been awarded to the community of Enderby, BC. The Enderby Icemen will begin play in September for the 2026-27 season.

📰 https://www.wijhl.com/news/wijhl-announces-expansion-franchise-in-enderby-for-2026-2027-season/

05/20/2026

🚨 MYTHBUSTERS MONDAY 🚨

Myth: “The Rebels social media team always posts on time.”
Busted. 😅

Apparently MythBusters Monday became “Wait… what day is it?” this week.
BUT while we’re here, let’s bust another myth:
“The new WIJHL won’t be exciting.”
Yeah… okay. Sure. 👀

The founding teams of the new Western International Junior Hockey League:

🏒 Castlegar Rebels
🏒 100 Mile House Wranglers
🏒 Chase Heat
🏒 Creston Valley Thunder Junior Hockey Club
🏒 Golden Rockets
🏒 Kelowna Chiefs Junior Hockey Club
🏒 Sicamous Eagles
🏒 Spokane Braves

Mountain Rivalries 🤝 Border Battles 🤝 Packed Barns

Missed Monday? Yes.
Still fired up for the future? Absolutely. 🔥

*Next Week* Playoff Format

05/19/2026

Tonight is the night! See you there.