BCHL unveils new alignment with Alberta teams, adds coaches challenge

The B.C. Hockey League held its 2024 Annual General Meeting recently in Richmond.

The following are the noteworthy items that came out of it.

2024-25 Alignment and Playoff Format

With the five Alberta teams being fully integrated into the BCHL next season, the conference and divisional alignment will be as shown below.

The league will continue with its existing playoff structure with the first seed in each conference playing the eighth seed in the first round, the second playing the seventh seed, and so on.

Five teams will not make the playoffs – two from the Coastal and three from the Interior.

The regular season will continue to be 54 games.

Coaches Challenge Pilot

The Board of Governors has voted in favour of adopting a coaches challenge pilot at the 2024 BCHL Showcase.

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.

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.

The 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.

Chair of the BCHL Board of Governors

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, after he was elected by his peers on the Board.

“I am honoured that the Board of Governors has elected me as the new Chair of the BCHL,” said Murphy, who purchased the Smoke Eaters along with his wife Annie in 2016. “This is an incredible honour, not only for me, but for Trail – the smallest market in the league, but one that has had a profound and historical impact on Canadian hockey. I share the honour and joy of holding this important position with my team and with our community.”

Fraser will remain on the league’s Executive Committee going forward.

Committee Elections

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

Executive Committee:

• Brendan Kenny – Sherwood Park Crusaders
• 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)