The B.C. Hockey League announced Monday it has severed its ties with Hockey Canada and will operate as an independent league in a bid to create more opportunities for players and increase the calibre of the league.
The BCHL wants to be able to recruit 16- and 17-year-old players from other provinces, similar to the arrangement which allows major junior teams in the Western Hockey League to recruit from the western provinces and western United States.
“We believe U18 players should have two development paths in Canada – major junior leading to the National Hockey League (NHL) being one and college-tracking junior leading to a US college and then the NHL being the other,” said BCHL CEO Chris Hebb, who has handed off his duties as commissioner to Steven Cocker. “Both are important. Both should be supported.”
The current rule for BCHL teams allows just six out-of-province imports. That restriction will no longer apply once the move to become independent takes effect on June 1. Ditching Hockey Canada also opens the door for unrestricted access to players from the U.S. and Europe. With more elite players joining the league, that’s expected to increase the quality of play and result in more Division 1 scholarships being awarded to BCHL players.
“The BCHL sends more players to NCAA Division I teams than all other junior hockey leagues in Canada combined," said BCHL chairman Graham Fraser. “During the past season there were 411 BCHL alumni on NCAA rosters, making up nearly a quarter of all Division I college hockey. That is exciting, but we aspire to do more for players and to provide a higher level of hockey for our fans. Under the current system, that’s just not possible.”
The BCHL will maintain a minimum requirement of B.C.-based players. Details of how many were not specified in the league’s Monday release.
The existing pool of referees and linesmen operate under Hockey Canada oversight and the move to ditch the national organizing structure means the BCHL will likely have to find its own on-ice officials.'
Prince George Spruce Kings general manager and governor Mike Hawes declined comment.
