The 2020-2021 BCHL season will commence on Dec. 1. Teams including the Nanaimo Clippers will open an extended training camp on Sept. 8. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

BCHL Returns

BCHL announces tentative return to play plan, eyeing Dec. 1 start

Jul 17, 2020 | 9:18 AM

NANAIMO — The BCHL is hoping to return to the ice in 2020 with a season start date of December 1.

The plan is subject to the approval of the Public Health Office. A specific number of games and how the schedule will look for travel between the 18 cities in the league will come later.

BCHL Commissioner Chris Hebb said the December start would align with the NHL’s plan for their own 2020-21 season.

“The PHO has indicated to us that waiting until December gives us the best chance at ensuring we have an uninterrupted season, while also maximizing the amount of regular-season games we’ll be able to play.”

In March the BCHL playoffs were scrapped after the opening round and the post season was ultimately cancelled a short time later.

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Locally, the Nanaimo Clippers are set to begin training camp on Sept. 8th with the team confirming all of their players will be in attendance.

Prior to the start of the season Nanaimo, Alberni Valley, Victoria, Cowichan Valley and Powell River will participate in an Island Division Exhibition tournament.

The first games for the event are slated for early October.

Clippers captain Kyler Kovich is relieved to have some clarity on what the next hockey season will look like.

“It’s great for every party involved. It gives us players a chance to show what we’ve been training for all summer and something to look forward to,” Kovich said.

In a statement from the league, the BCHL stresses the need to have at least some fans in their buildings to operate once the regular season begins.

Tali Campbell, Clippers GM, confirmed ticketing procedures will be different at Frank Crane for the upcoming year.

“We still believe that as of Dec. 1, capacity will be capped at 50 per cent. We’re trying to encourage our fans to buy a season ticket because we will not have a box office this year,” Campbell said.

The BCHL will continue to work with the Public Health Office to determine the next steps for a return to play.

dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On twitter: @danmarshall77