4th Year, Independent League
2026-27 British Columbia Hockey League Season

NEWS

BCHL announces partnership extension with Pro Hockey Life, introduces TRUE Hockey and Bauer as goaltending equipment suppliers

April 17, '26 - The BCHL has announced a three-year partnership extension with Pro Hockey Life to remain the official jersey supplier, servicing the league with premier NHL brand Fanatics uniforms. In addition, the BCHL has also reached an agreement with TRUE Hockey through Pro Hockey Life, making them an official supplier of goalie equipment for the league, along with longtime partner Bauer.

Pro Hockey Life has been the BCHL's official jersey supplier since the 2023-24 season, while this is the first year the league will partner with TRUE Hockey. Pro Hockey Life has also supported additional BCHL initiatives in recent years, like the league's annual All-Star Weekend event. Although the BCHL is adding Bauer as an official supplier of the league's goaltending equipment, they remain the BCHL's exclusive equipment and stick supplier.


2026 Annual General Meeting Recap

June 3, '26 - The BCHL held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) May 28 and 29 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, B.C. where a number of topics were discussed regarding the future of the league.

League Office Staffing

The BCHL will hire a Chief Commercial Officer, responsible for driving the league's long-term commercial growth and external relationships as the league continues to follow its growth plan. In addition, the league will be hiring a Deputy Commissioner, responsible for supporting the Commissioner with league operations, as well as overseeing the BCHL's rapidly growing development system.

League Growth

Governors identified Alberta expansion as a priority, as well as strategic growth within British Columbia and cross-border expansion. This growth will focus on communities, facilities and ownership groups that meet the standards set by the BCHL.

Roster Regulations

The Board voted in favour of reducing the roster maximum to 23 players, plus the option of an additional roster spot for a third goalie. Previously, the maximum was 25 players with an extra spot for a third goalie. Governors approved this change with the goal of providing increased opportunities to players from alliance leagues to be called up when needed, while ensuring BCHL athletes are actively participating and developing.

Year-End Awards

On Day 1 of the AGM, Cranbrook Bucks Owner and President Nathan Lieuwen was recognized as the 2025-26 Executive of the Year, as voted by his peers. The following day, Trail Smoke Eaters Director of Marketing Allison McCarthy was recognized as the 2025-26 Marketer of the Year. McCarthy previously won the award following the 2021-22 season.

Guest Speakers

The BCHL would like to thank Riche Leveille, Director of Partnership Strategies with the Vancouver Canucks, who gave a presentation to the Board on Day 2, focused on the evolving partnership landscape and community impacts. The league would also like to thank Rocky Olfert, Managing Director of Canada West, and Rob Godfrey, Associate Athletic Director at Mount Royal University, who also presented to the Board, focused on college hockey opportunities for BCHL athletes and synergies between the organizations.


BCHL announces 2026-27 regular season schedule

July 7, '26 The BCHL has unveiled the schedule for the 2026-27 regular season.

The season begins with opening night across the league on Friday, Sep. 18.

Key information: Each team will play 54 games / Opening night on Sep. 18 features 18 of 20 teams playing their season openers / Divisional alignment and playoff format remain the same as last season / The Coastal West division will play the Interior East division, marking the first time the majority of these teams will play in a BCHL regular season game / 2026 BCHL Showcase games are not included and will be announced at a later date / The season concludes on March 21 / The Rogers BCHL Playoffs begin on March 26 (a week earlier than recent years)


BCHL and VIJHL announce partnership extension and management agreement

August 4, '26 - The BCHL and the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) have announced a partnership extension under an enhanced management agreement, beginning with the 2027-28 season.

Under the new agreement, the BCHL office will oversee operations of the VIJHL at the direction of the VIJHL Board of Governors and Executive Committee.

Similarly, the BCHL will also work with the Western International Junior Hockey League (WIJHL) as they begin their first season as an independent league in the fall.


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2025-26 BCHL REGULAR SEASON (Sortable Table - Clickable Columns, Click Sort, Click Reverse)

COASTAL CONFERENCE RANKINGS
Coastal West Division GP W L OL SL PT OW GF GA PM D C L
Alberni Valley Bulldogs 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Cowichan Valley Capitals 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nanaimo Clippers 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Powell River Kings 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Victoria Grizzlies 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal East Division GP W L OL SL PT OW GF GA PM D C L
Chilliwack Chiefs 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coquitlam Express 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Langley Rivermen 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Prince George Spruce Kings 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Surrey Eagles 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
INTERIOR CONFERENCE RANKINGS
Interior West Division GP W L OL SL PT OW GF GA PM D C L
Cranbrook Bucks 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Salmon Arm Silverbacks 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Trail Smoke Eaters 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Vernon Vipers 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
West Kelowna Warriors 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Interior East Division GP W L OL SL PT OW GF GA PM D C L
Blackfalds Bulldogs 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Brooks Bandits 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Okotoks Oilers 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sherwood Park Crusaders 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Spruce Grove Saints 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

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PLAYOFFS

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 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)
  6. Should teams remain tied after the above tie breakers, the team with the MOST POINTS EARNED in games involving DIVISIONAL OPPONENTS ONLY will be used to determine the DIVISIONAL STANDINGS. (This tie-breaker only applies in determining divisional standings)

PLAYOFF FORMAT:

THE 2026 SHAW BCHL PLAYOFFS, WILL ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING STRUCTURE:

The top four teams from each of the league's four divisions will qualify for the postseason. Four teams will not make the playoffs - lowest seed from each Division, all series are a "Best-Of-Seven".

  • ROUND ONE: Each division will qualify the four top teams. They will play, with-in each division, based on the following seeding: 1 vs 4, 2 vs 3.
  • ROUND TWO: The two remaining teams, of each division, will play each other for the division title.
  • ROUND THREE: The division 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 Rogers BCHL Cup, BCHL Championship.

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