Chilliwack getting WHL team as league expands to 24 teams

The Western Hockey League will return to Chilliwack starting next season.

The league announced Thursday that it will expand to 24 teams with a franchise in the city situated about 100 kilometres east of Vancouver in British Columbia's Fraser Valley.

The ownership group includes former Vancouver Canucks forward Mason Raymond and former Chicago Blackhawks and Abbotsford Canucks head coach Jeremy Colliton.

Colliton will serve as governor, general manager, and head coach of the club.

The Western Hockey League announced today the awarding of an expansion franchise to Chilliwack, B.C., and its ownership group led by Jeremy Colliton, Brett Motherwell, Mason Raymond, Mario Amantea and Patrick Lathrop.