The British Columbia Hockey League is breaking away from Hockey Canada, a move the league says will provide more options for players under 18 years old that are looking to compete in college hockey in the United States.
The BCHL, a junior A league with 17 teams in B.C. – including in Merritt, Vernon, Salmon Arm, West Kelowna, and Prince George – and one in Washington, said in a release that all of its franchises will operate outside of Hockey Canada’s system starting June 1.
The move will allow BCHL teams to recruit 16- and 17-year-olds from other provinces, which is currently against Hockey Canada regulations.
The league says that will allow players without a competitive junior A option in their own provinces to remain in Canada while maintaining their NCAA availability.
“The BCHL sends more players to NCAA Division I teams than all other junior hockey leagues in Canada combined,” BCHL Chairman Graham Fraser said in a release.
“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.”
Hockey Canada rules state that players looking to play junior A hockey must do so in their own province.
That rule does not apply to the major junior teams under the Canadian Hockey League umbrella, but CHL players are ineligible from participating in NCAA hockey. The NCAA considers the CHL to be a professional league because it includes players that have signed NHL contracts.
“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,” Fraser added.
“Today, we are entering a new era that will eliminate barriers and change the landscape of junior hockey in Canada.”
For more information about the BCHL’s announcement, go here.
– With files from The Canadian Press
