BC junior hockey league officially dumps Hockey Canada
BC junior hockey league officially dumps Hockey Canada
BCHL will operate independently effective June 1
British Columbia’s junior ‘A’ (tier 2) hockey league will officially operate independently of Hockey Canada, beginning June 1, 2023.
The BCHL made the announcement today, stating, “New era opens more doors for players, raises standards and creates an enhanced experience for athletes and fans.”
By taking this step as a league, the BCHL will have more autonomy and control over its own direction. This will allow the league to make decisions that are in the best interests of players, their families and its 18 teams.
~ BCHL press release on independence from Hockey Canada
As for the BCHL, it traces its routes in Canada’s westernmost province back to 1961, and this announcement is arguably its biggest step in the more than 60 years since.
As of this posting, Hockey Canada has not issued an official statement of reply.
On its move to independence, the BCHL explains, “Becoming independent was a decision made following nearly five years of good faith efforts to find a solution within Hockey Canada’s system. BCHL owners, governors, executives, and committees thoroughly explored all options but were unable to establish meaningful discourse with the governing leadership of Hockey Canada.”
The 2023 league playoffs continue this month, and the BCHL will not be participating in the 2023 Centennial Cup, the national championship tournament hosted by Hockey Canada. The BCHL was last represented at the national championship tournament in 2019 when the Prince George Spruce Kings carried the league’s banner.
Currently, the league’s conference finals are underway, featuring Alberni Valley versus Chilliwack (the former leading 2 games to none) and Penticton against Salmon Arm (Penticton leads 2-0). The winners will square off in the Fred Page Cup final. The Fred Page Cup is the official BCHL championship trophy. (This should not be confused with the Fred Page Cup of East Region, a tournament that was formerly held for champions of the CCHL, MHL, and LHJAAAQ to determine the qualifier for the national tourney. This year, all nine CJHL leagues will send their titlist to the Centennial Cup, which will be held in Estevan Saskatchewan. The Ottawa Jr. Senators and Smiths Falls Bears are currently battling for the CCHL crown and a trip to the national dance.)
In regard to the timing of the league’s independence announcement, the BCHL states, “A change of this significance requires an extensive amount of preparation and planning for all teams and stakeholders. This will be implemented on June 1, 2023, and we had a lot of work to do and needed as much time as possible.”
The league plans to expand its recruitment starting for next season, explaining, it will open the door to players from beyond BC’s borders. “We will also be able to recruit Canadian U18 players from outside of their branch, as well as from the USA and outside of North America.”
The BCHL has sought its own insurance coverage and says it plans to “increase compensation for its officials.”
On player movements, the league notes, “The BCHL will explore new transfer agreements with similar leagues to allow transactions to take place.”
Justifying the departure from Hockey Canada, the BCHL outlines the following:
More NCAA and U-Sports scholarships: With a higher level of hockey, the BCHL anticipates more players will earn scholarships to Division I schools in the NCAA and U-Sports while playing in the league. With the addition of more elite players, we anticipate creating a higher level of competition that will push our athletes, coaches and teams to be better.
Exciting new Events: The BCHL will continue to enhance its series of events, including the potential of a post-playoff tournament that celebrates the skill level of its players. Currently, the league hosts a Showcase event, a Top Prospects game, Outdoor All-Star Event and a Road Show to help increase the exposure and experience for its athletes.
Larger player pool: The BCHL will now be able to recruit U18 players from other provinces, as well as from the USA and outside of North America. In addition, the BCHL remains committed to BC player development. Currently, 97 percent of BC-born players who played NCAA Division I hockey last year played in the BCHL. Current roster minimums for BC-born players will not change.
Higher Standards: The BCHL will continue to use its new scorecard system with the goal of making improvements that will ultimately benefit all teams and the league as a whole. The scorecard was implemented in 2022 and covers all operating areas, including hockey operations, off-ice business standards and facility infrastructure. As part of the four-year plan, the BCHL will eliminate player fees across the league by year four (2024-25 season).
For more, check out the FAQ page here or the official announcement here.
The BCHL currently offers the same tier of hockey (tier 2 junior ‘A’) as the nine leagues of the CJHL, including our region’s CCHL.