The 1967-1968 West Kootenay Junior Hockey League Season (WKJHL) was the first in league history. The league was founded in Castlegar, with teams playing in Nelson, Castlegar, Trail, Rossland, and Grand Forks.^[1] The Trail Junior Smoke Eaters won the league's inaugural championship.

The Trail Jr. Smoke Eaters, Nelson Jr. Maple Leafs, and Rossland Jr. Warriors were named after the senior-level hockey teams that already operated in their respective cities. The team in Castlegar was branded as the Apollos and the Grand Forks-based club was named the Border Bruins, a nod to the proximity to the United States and fauna in the area.^{[citation needed]}

League map

League map

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Legend

• 1
  Nelson Leafs
• 2
  Castlegar Apollos
• 3
  Trail Smoke Eaters
• 4
  Rossland Warriors
• 5
  Grand Forks Border Bruins

Upon the completion of the regular the team with the best record won the league without a playoff matchup.^[2] As such the Trail Smoke Eaters were the first team to win the league title