The Spokane Braves are proud to unveil our logo for our upcoming 50th season of being in the KIJHL.
The Spokane Braves started as the Spokane Valley Kings in the West Kootenay Hockey League (WKHL) in 1971.
Before the start of the 1972/73 season, Ralph Redding, father of former head coach Gary Redding took over Spokane’s membership in the WKHL with the Spokane Rockets. The WKHL was renamed to the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League to reflect our membership in the league. The Spokane Rockets had a change in ownership before the 1974/75 season, and then the team was given to SAYHA before the 1975/76 season.
The Spokane Rockets became the Spokane Flames before the start of the 1975/76 season. Under coach Buddy Bodman, Spokane would get their first KIJHL banner as East Division champions for the 78/79 season. The Flames would lose in the league finals against the Trail Jr. Smoke Eaters.
In the summer of 1985, an ownership group took the team over, and renamed the team the Spokane Braves. After a couple of changes of ownership, Bob Tobiason would take the team over in 1989 and has operated the team ever since.
Until the start of the 2020/2021 season, we will continue to showcase various items from our past on Throwback Thursday.
More details in regards to our 50th season in the KIJHL will be shared when they are available.
