Image: City of Chilliwack / Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Mayor Ken Popove

UPDATE 5:20 p.m. THURSDAY: Mayor Ken Popove issues statement about WHL franchise coming to Chilliwack

Mar 27, 2025 | 5:20 PM

UPDATE, 5:20 P.M. THURSDAY: Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove has issued a statement about the WHL:

“I recently shared a personal opinion on our local radio station, and acknowledge that my comments may have been misinterpreted as the opinion of Council.  I would like to clarify my intentions and confirm the City of Chilliwack’s support and excitement over the WHL expansion to Chilliwack.

“On Tuesday, Chilliwack City Council joined the WHL in celebrating its expansion to Chilliwack. I chose not to attend the announcement due to personal reasons. I did not mean to disrespect the WHL in any way by my absence, and I apologize if it was taken that way.

“Council is remarkable in that we can respectfully disagree with one another while remaining committed to the democratic process. We are dedicated to serving the best interests of Chilliwack and moving forward together once a decision has been made.

“Council considered several factors before moving forward with the WHL. We examined the high level of play that will provide enhanced entertainment for the fans, opportunities for youth in our community, financial benefits for taxpayers, and more. The WHL is a Tier 1 hockey league that boasts the most Western Canadian players of any league and develops young Canadian hockey players for the NHL; the expansion to Chilliwack will benefit our minor and junior players in town. With the WHL, we will be able to offer residents increased ice time and dry floor activities at the Coliseum.

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“Ultimately, Council made a decision that serves the best interest of our community. We are excited that the WHL has selected Chilliwack for expansion and look forward to taking the next steps together in order to welcome a new team to our incredible community.”

Original story below from 11:55 a.m. Thursday morning: 

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove isn’t necessarily on board with the Western Hockey League’s decision to initiate a franchise application process with the City of Chilliwack.

According to remarks made during Thursday morning’s “Ask the Mayor” segment with 89.5 JR Country host Glen Slingerland, Mayor Popove said he could not in good conscience attend Tuesday morning’s news conference announcing the return of a Western Hockey League franchise to Chilliwack, which is slated to begin in the 2026-27 season.

“Being a supporter, supporting Coach (Brian) Maloney, (VP) Barry Douglas, and the Moray Keith group, I couldn’t in all conscience get in front of a camera and support the next move because we have a viable team that’s drawing good crowds,” said Popove, who was first elected to council in 2011. “It’s in first place in the division. You know, a decision was made at the table that we want to go a different route. I still don’t think it’s the right move. That’s why I wasn’t there.”

Mayor Popove said he conferred with a city communications staff member on Monday, March 24 to obtain some notes for his speech. In the end, he just couldn’t do it.

“I just can’t do that, I’m loyal to the team, I’m loyal to what the Chiefs have done,” Popove said. “It’s not all about the money. It’s about community, how Maloney and Douglas have got the boys out there, (doing) Meals on Wheels, being everywhere. He’s created a real aura of good young men moving forward.”

Popove told Slingerland the return of WHL hockey in Chilliwack is not a done deal just yet, especially with no official ownership group in place and an expansion price that could top $15 million.

“It’s not a done deal. There’s no new ownership that has stepped up to the plate,” Popove said. “It’s a lot of money to buy an expansion team, north of $15 million. We shall see.”

When asked by Slingerland whether Chilliwack could support more than one local hockey franchise, Popove said he’s not sure.

“With resurgence of the Chilliwack Jets in their league, and they’re actually packing the house, it’d be a pretty hard sell to the community to have another team, but I don’t know,” Popove told Slingerland. “I like hockey. On the business side, does that make sense? I don’t know.”

While the Chiefs will remain in Chilliwack for next season, Popove hopes the new ownership group, if and when they’re shortlisted, will retain the current Chiefs executive roster of Maloney, Douglas and others.

“For me, my next strategy is when new ownership has been shortlisted, is to sit down with them and advocate for the admin that’s in that building,” Popove said. “Brian Maloney, Barry Douglas, and all their team. These guys put their heart and soul into this league, and they’re Chilliwack guys. They’re born and raised in Chilliwack, they love it here, they want to stay here. It’s a business, I get it, but let’s try to keep these guys employed. It’d be foolish for a team to come in and not hire these guys because they know the community, they know the sponsors, and they know who’s who. Time will tell.”