British Columbia Hockey League
Current season or competition:
2023–24 BCHL season
Countries
Region(s)British Columbia
CEOChris Hebb
Former name(s)
  • Okanagan-Mainline Junior "A" Hockey League (OMJHL) (1961–67)
  • British Columbia Junior Hockey League (BCJHL) (1967–95)
Founded1961 (1961)
No. of teams17
Recent ChampionsPenticton Vees (2023–24)
Most successful clubPenticton Vees (14)
Websitewww.bchl.ca

The British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) is an independent junior hockey league with 17 franchises in the province of British Columbia.

History

1961 to 1993

In 1961, the heads of four junior "B" hockey teams in the Okanagan region of British Columbia got together and formed the first Junior "A" league in British Columbia's history. The Okanagan-Mainline Junior "A" Hockey League (OMJHL) originally consisted of the Kamloops Jr. Rockets, the Kelowna Buckaroos, the Penticton Jr. Vees, and the Vernon Jr. Canadians.

Early expansion

In 1967, the league expanded out of the Okanagan region, bringing in the New Westminster Royals and the Victoria Cougars of the original (1962–1967) Pacific Coast Junior Hockey League. With the expansion, the league decided that since it was no longer solely in the Okanagan region that it need a new name, becoming the British Columbia Junior Hockey League (BCJHL). A year later, the Vancouver Centennials joined the league. In the 1970s, the Victoria Cougars jumped to the Western Hockey League and the New Westminster team was forced to fold due to the relocation of the Estevan Bruins into their arena. In 1972, the Bellingham Blazers and the Nanaimo Clippers expanded the league to eight teams.

In the early 1970s, the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association separated the two tiers of Junior A hockey. The BCJHL, being a Tier II league, was then disallowed from competing for the Memorial Cup, which had traditionally been the National Junior A Championship trophy. Consequently, the Tier II Junior A leagues across Canada agreed to compete for a new trophy called the Centennial Cup.

Rivalry with the PJHL

The 1970s also saw the rise of a rival league for the BCJHL, the Pacific Coast Junior Hockey League (PCJHL), which briefly existed in the 1960s and was resurrected for the 1971–72 season. The PCJHL was promoted to a Junior "A" league for the 1973–74 season and changed its name to the Pacific Junior A Hockey League. The PJHL champions competed with the BCJHL champions for the provincial championship, the Mowat Cup.

The existence of the two Junior A leagues in British Columbia caused an unusual turn of events in the 1977–78 season postseason. The BCJHL sent their regular season champion, the Merritt Centennials, to play as the BC representative in the Pacific region (BC and Alberta) interprovincial Doyle Cup, excusing them from the BCJHL playoffs. The BCJHL continued their league playoffs without them, crowning Nanaimo as the playoff champion after Penticton Jr. Vees refused to finish the playoff finals due to a series of brawls in the third game of the series. Meanwhile, the Merritt Centennials won the Doyle Cup and advanced to the Abbott Cup (the Western Canada Championship) against the winner of the ANAVET Cup, the Western region champion Prince Albert Raiders of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. The Centennials lost to the Raiders, four games to one.

Merger with the PJHL

The PJHL and the BCJHL merged for the 1979–80 season.

During the 1980–81 season, the Coastal division season was interrupted by a strike at BC Ferries in late January. Since the mainland teams could no longer reach the island teams, the Coastal Division stopped playing, and began extended playoff rounds in place of the regular season.

In 1986, the Penticton Vees became the BCJHL's first Junior A national champion, defeating the Metro Valley Junior Hockey League's Cole Harbour Colts by a score of 7–4 to win the Centennial Cup. A year later, the BCJHL's Richmond Sockeyes won the league's second consecutive national title.

1993 to 2021

From 1993 to 2021, the league was a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League, an association of Junior A leagues across Canada that would play for the National Junior A Championship. The winner of the BCHL Fred Page Cup (not to be confused with the CJHL Fred Page Cup) would continue on to play the Alberta Junior Hockey League champions in the Doyle Cup for the right to compete for the national championship. The BCJHL was renamed the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) in 1995.

Further expansion and relocations

The Burnaby Bulldogs joined as an expansion team in 1998 and moved to Port Alberni in 2002. The Coquitlam Express and the Salmon Arm Silverbacks joined in 2001. The Williams Lake TimberWolves joined in 2002 and folded in 2010.

The Chilliwack Chiefs moved to Langley in 2006 and were later renamed the Langley Rivermen. That team replaced the Langley Hornets who moved to West Kelowna and were later renamed the West Kelowna Warriors. In 2011, the Quesnel Millionaires moved to Chilliwack and were renamed the Chilliwack Chiefs.

The Wenatchee Wild (not to be confused with the WHL team of the same name) joined on 2015 and folded in 2023. The Cranbrook Bucks joined the league in 2020.

2021 to present

Withdrawal from CJHL and Hockey Canada

In March 2021, the league withdrew its membership from the Canadian Junior Hockey League.[1][2][3]

On May 1, 2023, the BCHL voted not to renew its agreement with governing body Hockey Canada and became an independent league. The league cited improved recruitment opportunities for 16 and 17 year old players in Canada as well as anticipated improved interest from Americans and players outside of North America as important reasons for the decision.[4]

Notable alumni

The most notable star to come from the BCHL is Olympian and National Hockey League hall of famer Brett Hull who played for Penticton. Hull holds the BCHL record for most goals in a season (105), which he set in 1983–84, a record that still stands today. Other NHLers who once played in the BCHL include Chuck Kobasew of the Penticton Panthers, Scott Gomez of the South Surrey Eagles, Carey Price of the Quesnel Millionaires, and Willie Mitchell of the Kelowna Spartans. In July 2013, the TheHockeyWriters.com listed the BCHL as the sixth best developmental league, professional or amateur, in North America.[5]

Current franchises

Conference Team City Arena Joined BCHL
Coastal Alberni Valley Bulldogs Port Alberni Weyerhaeuser Arena 1998 as Burnaby Bulldogs

2002 as Alberni Valley Bulldogs

Chilliwack Chiefs Chilliwack Chilliwack Coliseum 2011
Coquitlam Express Coquitlam Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex 2001
Cowichan Valley Capitals Duncan Cowichan Community Centre 1980
Langley Rivermen Langley George Preston Recreation Centre 1990
Nanaimo Clippers Nanaimo Frank Crane Arena 1972
Powell River Kings Powell River Hap Parker Arena 1988
Surrey Eagles Surrey South Surrey Arena 1976
Victoria Grizzlies Victoria The Q Centre 1967
Interior Cranbrook Bucks Cranbrook Western Financial Place 2020
Merritt Centennials Merritt Nicola Valley Memorial Arena 1961
Penticton Vees Penticton South Okanagan Events Centre 1961
Prince George Spruce Kings Prince George Kopar Memorial Arena 1972
Salmon Arm Silverbacks Salmon Arm Shaw Centre 2001
Trail Smoke Eaters Trail Cominco Arena 1987
Vernon Vipers Vernon Kal Tire Place 1961
West Kelowna Warriors West Kelowna Royal LePage Place 1994

    Timeline of teams

    • 1961 – Okanagan-Mainline Junior Hockey League founded with Kamloops Jr. Rockets, Kelowna Buckaroos, Penticton Jr. Vees, and Vernon Jr. Canadians
    • 1962 – Vernon Jr. Canadians become Vernon Blades
    • 1963 – OMJHL changes name to Okanagan Junior Hockey League
    • 1963 – Penticton Jr. Vees leave league
    • 1964 – Penticton returns as Penticton Broncos
    • 1964 – Kamloops Jr. Rockets become Kamloops Kraft Kings
    • 1967 – OJHL changes name to British Columbia Junior Hockey League
    • 1967 – Vernon Blades become Vernon Essos
    • 1967 – Kamloops Kraft Kings become Kamloops Rockets
    • 1967 – New Westminster Royals and Victoria Cougars join from Pacific Coast Junior A Hockey League
    • 1969 – Vancouver Centennials join league
    • 1970 – Chilliwack Bruins join league
    • 1971 – New Westminster Royals and Victoria Cougars leave league
    • 1972 – Vancouver Centennials become Vancouver Villas
    • 1972 – Nanaimo Clippers and Bellingham Blazers join league
    • 1973 – Kamloops Rockets move and become White Rock Centennials and then Merritt Centennials
    • 1973 – Vancouver Villas leave league
    • 1973 – Langley Lords join league
    • 1973 – Vernon Essos become Vernon Vikings
    • 1975 – Penticton Broncos become Penticton Vees
    • 1975 – Bellingham Blazers become Maple Ridge Blazers
    • 1976 – Kamloops Braves and Abbotsford Flyers join league
    • 1976 – Maple Ridge Blazers become Bellingham Blazers
    • 1976 – Chilliwack Bruins become Maple Ridge Bruins
    • 1976 – Langley Lords become Langley Thunder
    • 1977 – Maple Ridge Bruins move, renamed Revelstoke Bruins
    • 1977 – Kamloops Braves become Kamloops Chiefs
    • 1978 – Kamloops Chiefs become Kamloops Rockets
    • 1978 – Bellingham Blazers become Bellingham Ice Hawks
    • 1978 – Chilliwack Colts and Delta Suns join league
    • 1979 – Penticton Vees become Penticton Knights
    • 1979 – Revelstoke Bruins and Kamloops Rockets merge to become Revelstoke Bruins/Rockets
    • 1979 – Richmond Sockeyes and Nor'Wes Caps join league from Pacific Junior A Hockey League
    • 1979 – Delta Suns, Langley Thunder, and Vernon Canadians leave league
    • 1980 – Vernon rejoins league as Vernon Lakers
    • 1980 – Cowichan Valley Capitals and Coquitlam Comets join league
    • 1980 – Revelstoke Bruins/Rockets change name to Revelstoke Rockets
    • 1980 – Bellingham Ice Hawks move, renamed Vancouver Blue Hawks
    • 1980 – Chilliwack Colts cease operations mid-season
    • 1981 – Langley Eagles join league
    • 1981 – Coquitlam Comets and Nor'Wes Caps cease operations
    • 1982 – Esquimalt Buccaneers and Shuswap/Salmon Arm Totems join league
    • 1982 – Nanaimo Clippers cease operations
    • 1982 – Vancouver Blue Hawks move, renamed Burnaby Blue Hawks
    • 1983 – Revelstoke Rockets renamed Revelstoke Rangers
    • 1983 – Esquimalt Buccaneers move, renamed Nanaimo Clippers
    • 1983 – Kelowna Buckaroos move, renamed Summerland Buckaroos
    • 1983 – New Westminster Royals cease operations
    • 1984 – Cowichan Valley Capitals move, renamed Sidney Capitals
    • 1984 – Vernon Rockets renamed Vernon Lakers
    • 1985 – Delta Flyers and Kelowna Packers join league
    • 1985 – Burnaby Blue Hawks and Revelstoke Rangers cease operations
    • 1985 – Merritt Centennials renamed Merritt Warriors
    • 1985 – Abbotsford Flyers renamed Abbotsford Falcons
    • 1985 – Salmon Arm Totems renamed Salmon Arm/Shuswap Blazers
    • 1986 – Sidney Capitals move, renamed Juan de Fuca Whalers
    • 1987 – Salmon Arm/Shuswap Blazers renamed Salmon Arm Tigers
    • 1987 – Merritt Warriors renamed Merritt Centennials
    • 1987 – Langley Eagles move, renamed Chilliwack Eagles
    • 1988 – Summerland Buckaroos and Abbotsford Falcons cease operations
    • 1988 – Juan de Fuca Whalers move, renamed Cowichan Valley Whalers
    • 1988 – New Westminster Royals rejoin league
    • 1988 – Delta Flyers move, renamed Powell River Paper Kings
    • 1989 – Kelowna Packers renamed Kelowna Spartans
    • 1989 – Chilliwack Eagles move, renamed Ladner Penguins
    • 1989 – Cowichan Valley Whalers renamed Cowichan Valley Capitals
    • 1989 – Salmon Arm Tigers cease operations
    • 1990 – Penticton Knights renamed Penticton Panthers
    • 1990 – Victoria Warriors join league
    • 1990 – Ladner Penguins move, renamed Bellingham Ice Hawks
    • 1990 – Richmond Sockeyes move, renamed Chilliwack Chiefs
    • 1990 – Cowichan Valley Capitals cease operations
    • 1991 – New Westminster Royals move, renamed Surrey Eagles
    • 1993 – Cowichan Valley Capitals rejoin league
    • 1993 – Victoria Warriors cease operations
    • 1994 – Victoria Salsa, Langley Thunder, Royal City Outlaws join league
    • 1995 – Bellingham Ice Hawks sell franchise rights to Trail Smoke Eaters of the Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League; Trail joins BCHL
    • 1995 – Vernon Lakers renamed Vernon Vipers
    • 1995 – Kelowna Spartans cease operations
    • 1996 – Royal City Outlaws sell franchise rights to Prince George Spruce Kings; both Prince George and the Quesnel Millionaires of the RMJHL join the BCHL
    • 1996 – Surrey Eagles renamed South Surrey Eagles
    • 1998 – Burnaby Bulldogs join league
    • 1998 – Powell River Paper Kings renamed Powell River Kings; Langley Thunder renamed Langley Hornets
    • 2001 – Coquitlam Express and Salmon Arm Silverbacks join league
    • 2002 – Williams Lake TimberWolves join league
    • 2002 – Burnaby Bulldogs move to Alberni Valley
    • 2003 – South Surrey Eagles renamed Surrey Eagles
    • 2004 – Penticton Panthers renamed Penticton Vees
    • 2005 – Coquitlam Express move to Burnaby
    • 2006 – Langley Hornets move, renamed Westside Warriors
    • 2006 – Chilliwack Chiefs move to Langley
    • 2006 – Victoria Salsa renamed Victoria Grizzlies
    • 2007 – Williams Lake TimberWolves take leave of absence from league
    • 2009 – Williams Lake TimberWolves active in league
    • 2010 – Williams Lake TimberWolves declared "not in good standing"; operations suspended
    • 2010 – Burnaby Express move to Coquitlam
    • 2011 – Quesnel Millionaires move, become Chilliwack Chiefs
    • 2011 – Langley Chiefs renamed Langley Rivermen
    • 2012 – Westside Warriors renamed West Kelowna Warriors
    • 2015 – Wenatchee Wild join league from the North American Hockey League
    • 2020 – Cranbrook Bucks join the league as an expansion team
    • 2023 – Wenatchee Wild cease operations as a BCHL team, buying out the Winnipeg Ice franchise, and joining the Western Hockey League

    League championships

    Each season the top eight teams from each conference advance to the playoffs. The postseason consists of four rounds, all consisting of a series of best-of-seven games, with the Coastal and Interior Conference playoff champions meeting in the league finals to play for the Fred Page Cup.

    Year League champion League runner-up
    Memorial Cup era
    1962Kamloops RocketsKelowna Buckaroos
    1963Kamloops RocketsKelowna Buckaroos
    1964Kamloops RocketsKelowna Buckaroos
    1965Kelowna BuckaroosKamloops Kraft Kings
    1966Kamloops Kraft KingsKelowna Buckaroos
    1967Penticton BroncosKelowna Buckaroos
    1968Penticton BroncosKelowna Buckaroos
    1969Victoria CougarsPenticton Broncos
    1970Vernon EssosVictoria Cougars
    Modern era
    1971Kamloops RocketsVancouver Centennials
    1972Vernon EssosPenticton Broncos
    1973Penticton BroncosChilliwack Bruins
    1974Kelowna BuckaroosLangley Lords
    1975Bellingham BlazersKelowna Buckaroos
    1976Nanaimo ClippersPenticton Vees
    1977Nanaimo ClippersPenticton Vees
    1978Merritt CentennialsPenticton Vees
    1979Bellingham BlazersKamloops Rockets
    1980Penticton KnightsNanaimo Clippers
    1981Penticton KnightsAbbotsford Flyers
    1982Penticton KnightsNew Westminster Royals
    1983Abbotsford FlyersKelowna Buckaroos
    1984Langley EaglesPenticton Knights
    1985Penticton KnightsBurnaby Blue Hawks
    1986Penticton KnightsRichmond Sockeyes
    1987Richmond SockeyesKelowna Packers
    1988Vernon LakersRichmond Sockeyes
    1989Vernon LakersNew Westminster Royals
    1990New Westminster RoyalsVernon Lakers
    1991Vernon LakersPowell River Paper Kings
    1992Vernon LakersBellingham Ice Hawks
    1993Kelowna SpartansPowell River Paper Kings
    1994Kelowna SpartansCowichan Valley Capitals
    1995Chilliwack ChiefsPowell River Paper Kings
    1996Vernon VipersLangley Thunder
    1997South Surrey EaglesVernon Vipers
    1998South Surrey EaglesPenticton Panthers
    1999Vernon VipersChilliwack Chiefs
    2000Chilliwack ChiefsVernon Vipers
    2001Victoria SalsaMerritt Centennials
    2002Chilliwack ChiefsVernon Vipers
    2003Vernon VipersChilliwack Chiefs
    2004Nanaimo ClippersSalmon Arm Silverbacks
    2005Surrey EaglesVernon Vipers
    2006Burnaby ExpressPenticton Vees
    2007Nanaimo ClippersVernon Vipers
    2008Penticton VeesNanaimo Clippers
    2009Vernon VipersPowell River Kings
    2010Vernon VipersPowell River Kings
    2011Vernon VipersPowell River Kings
    2012Penticton VeesPowell River Kings
    2013Surrey EaglesPenticton Vees
    2014Coquitlam ExpressVernon Vipers
    2015Penticton VeesNanaimo Clippers
    2016West Kelowna WarriorsChilliwack Chiefs
    2017Penticton VeesChilliwack Chiefs
    2018Wenatchee WildPrince George Spruce Kings
    2019Prince George Spruce KingsVernon Vipers
    2020Not awarded[lower-alpha 1]
    2021Not awarded[lower-alpha 2]
    2022Penticton VeesNanaimo Clippers
    2023Penticton VeesAlberni Valley Bulldogs
    1. ↑ The 2020 playoffs were cancelled by Hockey Canada after the first round due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]
    2. ↑ The league decided that they would not hold playoffs for the 2020–21 season because continued public health restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]

    National championships

    The Centennial Cup (known as the Royal Bank Cup from 1996 to 2018) is the Canadian Junior Hockey League championship tournament. It was awarded to BCHL teams 14 times in its history. BCHL teams are no longer eligible to play in the tournament since the league withdrew from the CJHL in 2021.

    BCHL records

    Individual records

    • Most goals in a season: 105, Brett Hull, Penticton, 1983–84
    • Most assists in a season: 111, Bob Ginetti, Burnaby, 1986–87
    • Most points in a season: 188, Brett Hull, Penticton, 1983–84
    • Most goals in a season, defenceman: 38, Campbell Blair, Vernon, 1986–87
    • Most assists in a season, defenceman: 77, Bruce Harris, Bellingham, 1978–79; Ian Kidd, Penticton, 1984–85
    • Most points in a season, defenceman: 109, Campbell Blair, Vernon, 1986–87
    • Most goals in a season, rookie: 84, John Newberry, Nanaimo, 1979–80
    • Most assists in a season, rookie: 103, Doug Berry, Kelowna, 1974–75
    • Most points in a season, rookie: 185, John Newberry, Nanaimo, 1979–80
    • Most shorthanded goals in a season: 14, Greg Hadden, New Westminster, 1988–89
    • Most powerplay goals in a season: 32, Dan Bousquet, Penticton, 1993–94
    • Longest consecutive shutout streak: 250 minutes, 25 seconds, Brad Thiessen, Prince George, 2005–06

    Team records

    NHL alumni

    Names in bold indicate inductees of the Hockey Hall of Fame

    References

    1. ↑ "BCHL rumoured to be unhappy with national Junior A body, looking to go out on its own". TheProvince.com. March 25, 2021.
    2. ↑ "BCHL confirms exit". Castanet.net. April 9, 2021.
    3. ↑ "CJHL STATEMENT REGARDING BCHL". Canadian Junior Hockey League. April 9, 2021.
    4. ↑ "BCHL pulls out of Hockey Canada, becomes an independent league". The Province. May 1, 2023.
    5. ↑ "Top 10 Best Ice Hockey Leagues".
    6. ↑ "CJHL Announces Official Cancellation For Remainder Of 2019-20 Season". CJHL. March 13, 2020.
    7. ↑ "BCHL announces season will end with no playoffs, plans for alternate set of pod awards". BCHL. April 28, 2021.
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