Annual General Meeting

The BCHL held its 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) May 29 and 30 in Richmond, B.C. with several noteworthy items coming out of it.

After six years as the Chair for the BCHL Board of Governors, Penticton Vees owner Graham Fraser has stepped down from his position and will be replaced by Trail Smoke Eaters owner Rich Murphy, effective immediately. Fraser will remain on the league's Executive Committee going forward.

The following governors were elected to committees at this year's AGM.

Executive Committee:

• Brendan Kenny - Spruce Grove Saints
• Dana Matheson - Langley Rivermen

Franchise Committee:

• Jamie Schreder - Langley Rivermen

Governance Committee:

• TJ Brar - Surrey Eagles
• Lindsey Leckelt - Spruce Grove Saints

Futures Committee:

• Brad Kwong - Nanaimo Clippers
• Adam Sergerie - Sherwood Park Crusaders

Marketing Committee:

• Tyler King - Okotoks Oilers
• Fraser Rodgers - Penticton Vees

Competition Committee (Coach Position):

• Ryan Donald (Cranbrook Bucks)

The regular season will continue to consist of 54 games.

Universal Affiliates

The Board of Governors voted in favour of adding universal affiliates going forward, meaning that affiliate players from the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) and Junior Prospects Hockey League (JPHL) may dress for any BCHL team during the year. This new system will allow them to experience different league markets and organizations to better help them make a decision should they play in the BCHL full time in the future.

League Office

The BCHL has extended the contract of Commissioner Steven Cocker, as well as Vice President of Hockey Operations Brad Lazarowich.

The league has also hired a full-time Manager of Events, Connor Ewert, who began work in early May and will be focused on the continued growth of league events and properties.

Sale of Victoria Grizzlies

July 18, The BCHL Board of Governors approved the sale of the Victoria Grizzlies franchise to local businessman Jim Hartshorne. Hartshorne, who is now the majority owner of the team, is also the owner of the Victoria Shamrocks lacrosse club that competes in the Western Lacrosse Association and, like the Grizzlies, plays out of the Q Centre. He was previously part of the ownership group of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs and, before that, was the owner of the Victoria Cougars of the Western Hockey League from 1980 to 1989. An agreement was put in place back in April, but the official sale was approved after the conclusion of the 2023-24 BCHL league year

Sale of Alberni Valley Bulldogs

July 23, The BCHL Board of Governors has approved the sale of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs franchise to Olithan Sports & Entertainment Ltd., headed by Garry and Teresa Wong. Garry Wong has been in the construction industry since 1984 and is the co-founder of Keith Panel Systems, a leading architectural facades company. The rest of the ownership group will remain with the organization.

All Star Weekend

The BCHL has announced details for its 2025 All-Star Weekend. This year's event will take place in Salmon Arm, B.C. from Jan. 17 to 19, 2025. In partnership with the City of Salmon Arm, the best of the BCHL will be in town for a Top Prospects Game, Skills Competition, Alumni & Friends Game and 3-on-3 All-Star Tournament at Rogers Rink, home of the Silverbacks.

ROSTERS:

• Teams have a maximum of 25 active roster spots, plus an additional card if a team chooses to have a third goaltender.
• A minimum of five "branch players" (Defined as players with demonstrable roots in B.C.,AB, YT, NWT or NU).
• A minimum of 13 players from Canada.
• A maximum of 10 players from the United States of America.
• A maximum of 7 20-year-olds on a roster are permitted at one time.
• A minimum of 4 rookies are required on a roster.
• No limit on former CHL players of any age are permitted on a roster.
• A maximum of eight affiliate registrations are permitted per team. Affiliates may come from any independent minor/youth/high school league across North America.

Coaches Challenge Pilot

The pilot project will allow BCHL coaches to challenge plays that were not penalized, in order to assess a double-minor, major or match penalty. If the challenge does not meet the criteria, the challenging team will be assessed a minor penalty for Delay of Game.

If the challenge is successful, the challenging team will have the right to a second challenge in the game.

TIE-BREAKER CRITERIA:

WITH RESPECT TO PLAYOFFS, FOR PURPOSES OF DETERMINING THE TOP TEAMS, THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA SHALL BE USED UNTIL THE TIE IS BROKEN:

1. The Team having the most POINTS.
2. The Team having the most WINS.
3. Team Having the Most WINS IN GAMES vs EACH OTHER
4. The team having the most POINTS IN GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER
5. The Team having the most POINTS IN GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER
6. The Team having the best GOALS FOR AND AGAINST IN GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER. (by taking the goals for and subtracting the goals against in games between the teams)
7. Should teams remain tied after the above tie breakers, the team with the MOST POINTS EARNED in games involving CONFERENCE OPPONENTS ONLY will be used to determine the CONFERENCE STANDINGS. (This tie-breaker only applies in determining CONFERENCE STANDINGS)

PLAYOFF FORMAT:

THE 2025 SHAW BCHL PLAYOFFS, WILL ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING STRUCTURE:

Five teams will not make the playoffs - two lowest from the Coastal and three lowest from the Interior conferences, all series are a "Best-Of-Seven".

• ROUND ONE: The top-eight teams from each conference will qualify for the postseason and play based on the following seeding: 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6 & 4 vs 5.
• ROUND TWO: The teams will then reseed, for this round, in the following order: 1 vs 4, 2 vs 3 in each conference.
• ROUND THREE: The winners will then play in their respective conference final, Cliff McNabb Trophy for the Coastal and Ryan Hatfield Trophy for the Interior.
• ROUND FOUR: Each conference champion will then play for the Fred Page Cup, BCHL Championship.