Chilliwack Bruins

Chilliwack Bruins
City	Chilliwack, British Columbia
League	Western Hockey League
Conference	Western
Division	B.C.
Operated	2006–2011
Home arena	Prospera Centre
Colours	Black, white and cream
Franchise history
2006–11	Chilliwack Bruins
2011–present	Victoria Royals

The Chilliwack Bruins were a major junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League (WHL) based out of Chilliwack, British Columbia. The 2006–07 season marked the Bruins' inaugural season in the WHL. The team played at Prospera Centre, which was expanded to 5,386 seats for the arrival of the team. The Bruins were sold after the 2010–11 season and were subsequently relocated to the Province of British Columbia's capital, Victoria, to become the Victoria Royals.

In 2005, the City of Chilliwack was granted a WHL expansion team after an attempt by the owners of the Tri-City Americans (Brian Burke, Glen Sather and Darryl Porter) to move the Americans to Chilliwack was voted down by the WHL directors. As a result, Burke, Sather and Porter sold their stake in the Americans and purchased the 21st franchise in the WHL. The arrival of the Bruins displaced the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL)'s Chilliwack Chiefs, who relocated to Langley to become the Langley Chiefs. In early 2011, it became apparent to fans that they had been sold to RG Properties to allow them to move the team to Victoria. The previous ownership group of the original Chilliwack Chiefs franchise before 2006 had an offer of $7.75 million from the Chiefs development group, including Major League Baseball player Justin Morneau and National Hockey League player Willie Mitchell. This offer was rejected by both the majority ownership of the Bruins as well as the league.

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