The BCHL and its member clubs will leave Hockey Canada effective June 1 and become an independent league. (Island Images Photography)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

game over

BC Hockey League parting ways with Hockey Canada

May 1, 2023 | 11:40 AM

NANAIMO — The B.C. Hockey League are breaking away from Hockey Canada.

Effective June 1, 2023, the BCHL and their member teams including the Nanaimo Clippers, will allow their agreement with the sport’s nationwide governing body to expire and operate as an independent league.

Graham Fraser, chairman of the BCHL, said in a statement the move is designed to increase the eligible player pool for BCHL teams and provide a higher level of hockey for fans.

“Our owners and governors are proud of how far we have come in recent years and have a strong desire to continue to grow and make decisions that are in the best interests of young players and families. “Today, we are entering a new era that will eliminate barriers and change the landscape of junior hockey in Canada.”

Under the new arrangement, according to the BCHL, challenges for players choosing between Major Junior (Western Hockey League, etc) and the college hockey route will be eliminated.

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It’s hoped the move will lead to more college and university scholarships being offered to BCHL players destined for either the NCAA or U Sports.

BCHL teams will also be able to recruit younger players from out of province, including into the United States and internationally.

Roster rules about a minimum number of B.C. born players will not change, with the league noting 97 per cent of all NCAA players from B.C. last year came through the BCHL.

Chris Hebb, the current commissioner of the BCHL, will move into a CEO role and focus on business and development.

One main goal is to eliminate player fees league-wide in four years.

Steven Cocker, who had served as the league’s executive director will replace Hebb as commissioner.

“Players and families currently in the BCHL can rest assured that we remain committed to player development and the standards of excellence in their day-to-day hockey experiences will not change,” Cocker said. “In fact, they will have access to even more opportunities for their future success.”

For the 2022/23 season, 411 BCHL alumni played on NCAA rosters, totalling nearly a quarter of all NCAA division 1 players.

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