A format change to the 2016 Central Interior Hockey League playoffs will see all seven teams compete in the postseason.
The change was decided upon during the CIHL annual general meeting in May.
Last season, the bottom two West Division teams and the bottom East Division teams were eliminated from playoff contention following the regular season.
This year, the top team in the East Division between the Williams Lake Stampeders, the Quesnel Kangaroos and the Lac La Hache Tomahawks will receive a first-round bye and will then face the winner of the second and third seeds in the second round.
In the West Division between the Prince Rupert Rampage, the Terrace River Kings, the Kitimat Ice Demons and the Smithers Steeleheads, the first seed will play the fourth and the second seed will meet the third in the first round.
The winning teams will then square off with the emerging two teams from the second round division finals meeting in the CIHL playoff final.
No new teams are entering the league this year, and no teams are withdrawing.
Terrace River Kings’ manager Ray Hallock was elected the new CIHL president and will take over presidential duties from past president J.C. Brown of Smithers.
Kitimat’s Cliff Madsen will be the league vice president.
The CIHL, however, is still looking for a treasurer and a league sponsor.
Additionally, the Williams Lake Stampeders will be recognized for its 80th season of existence. The number of regular season games will remain at 16.
All teams also now have the option of icing two referees and two linesmen.