A second championship in three years for the VIU Mariners in the BC Intercollegiate Hockey League, via an 8-1 win over UVic on Sunday, March 8. (Image Credit: BCIHL)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

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Dominant VIU Mariners capture another BCIHL title

Mar 9, 2026 | 12:20 PM

NANAIMO — For the second time in three years, the VIU Mariners are on top of the BC Intercollegiate Hockey League.

After dominating the regular season with a 17-2-0-1 record, finishing eight points clear of second place, the team cruised to the title with an 8-1 win over the University of Victoria Vikes on Sunday, March 8 at Queen’s Park Arena in New Westminster.

Gage Newans and Blake Power led the scoring with two goals each in the convincing win.

“It was pretty decisive,” Gord Nowicki, team president, said. “I think it was a lot of motivation from losing last year to UVic. Our guys were pretty focused and pretty intent on not letting that happen again.”

Hunter Burgeson, Ryan Hunter, Carson Erhardt and Landen Stromme also scored, while Connor Stojan stopped 25 of 26 UVic shots for the win.

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While being held without a point in the post-season tournament, Jones wraps his VIU career on a high.

The fourth-year Mariner and team captain also leaves the program as its all-time point scorer with 54 goals and 150 points through 68 career BCIHL regular season games.

Growth of the program has accelerated at a rapid pace in recent years.

Two championships and a finals appearance in three years have positioned VIU as one of the dominant forces in the five-team league.

Nowicki said their secret is going after quality people, not just high-end hockey players.

“Hockey is incredible, we love the idea of hockey, but we’re trying to grow some pretty good human beings that are going to stay in our community and be good members of society, that are going to give back, going to be involved in this community.”

He added geography helps them sell the program to out-of-town student athletes looking for top-level hockey following their junior hockey careers.

Showcasing near year-round golfing and recreation options, combined with excellent educational and career advancement opportunities, are all part of the pitch.

“They love the island, they love the school, and so we sold it, we sold them Nanaimo, we sold them VIU, and told them about the program and told them what our plans were and what we wanted to end up doing. It was an easy sell.”

The volunteer-run team receives no direct financial support from Vancouver Island University, which is tasked with compiling about $120,000 annually.

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