Unlike the last two winters, Penticton won't be welcoming one of the B.C. Hockey League's marquee events in 2025.
The Peach City is sitting out on hosting duties for BCHL All-Star Weekend this time around, with the league announcing it is bringing the event to Salmon Arm in January.
"We were thrilled to host BCHL All-Star Weekend for two years in a row and establish a level of excellence for the event moving forward, particularly the skills competition at the outdoor rink," said Shane Mills, Penticton's senior communications advisor. "The nature of all-star games, though, is for them to rotate around to different communities and we anticipate hosting the event again in the future."
The city invested $50,000 to host the event in January 2024. Its economic impact locally was about $290,000, officials estimated.
Salmon Arm will host the event for the first time from Jan. 17 to 19, after the South Okanagan city did so in 2023 and 2024.
"Penticton did a great job hosting the past two years and we are excited to build on that momentum in Salmon Arm," said BCHL commissioner Steven Cocker.
Along with a skills competition and three-on-three all-star game, the event also featured a BCHL alumni game on Penticton's outdoor rink. Stanley Cup champion Scott Niedermayer and former Ottawa Senators forward Kyle Turris were among those to take part in the showcase.
The BCHL is going indoors for its event in 2025, with Salmon Arm's Rogers Rink set to host festivities. The facility is home to the Silverbacks.
Also new this year at BCHL All-Star Weekend is the addition of a Top Prospects Game for the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL).
In addition to on-ice activities, community events are scheduled to take place across Salmon Arm over the course of the weekend.
“The City of Salmon Arm is excited for the incredible opportunity that hosting the All-Star Weekend provides to the community,” said Salmon Arm Mayor Alan Harrison. “Welcoming players, their families and supporters to experience what makes Salmon Arm special will benefit our economy and provide inspiration for young hockey players.”
