British Columbia Hockey League facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
British Columbia Hockey League

Current season or competition: 2023–24 BCHL season
Countries	Canada (BC, AB)
Region(s)	British Columbia, Alberta
CEO	Chris Hebb
Former name(s)	Okanagan-Mainline Junior "A" Hockey League (OMJHL) (1961–67) British Columbia Junior Hockey League (BCJHL) (1967–95)
Founded	1961; 64 years ago (1961)
No. of teams	22
Feeder League(s)	VIJHL
Recent Champions	Brooks Bandits (2023–24)
Most successful club	Penticton Vees (14)

The British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) is a top junior ice hockey league in Canada. It has 22 teams located in British Columbia and Alberta. For many years, it was part of Hockey Canada, which oversees hockey in Canada. However, in 2023, the BCHL decided to become an independent league. This means they now make their own rules and decisions.

In 2024, another league, the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League, also left Hockey Canada. It then became a partner league for the BCHL.

History of the BCHL

How it Started (1961-1993)

The BCHL began in 1961. It was first called the Okanagan-Mainline Junior "A" Hockey League (OMJHL). Four Junior "B" teams from the Okanagan area of British Columbia started it. These teams were the Kamloops Jr. Rockets, Kelowna Buckaroos, Penticton Jr. Vees, and Vernon Jr. Canadians. It was the first Junior "A" league in British Columbia.

Growing Bigger

In 1967, the league grew beyond the Okanagan region. Teams like the New Westminster Royals and Victoria Cougars joined. Because it was no longer just in the Okanagan, the league changed its name. It became the British Columbia Junior Hockey League (BCJHL). More teams joined later, like the Vancouver Centennials.

In the early 1970s, junior hockey leagues in Canada were split into different levels. The BCJHL became a "Tier II" league. This meant its champion could no longer compete for the Memorial Cup. A new trophy, the Centennial Cup, was created for Tier II champions across Canada.

Joining Forces

For a while, there was another Junior "A" league in BC called the PJHL. The champions of the BCJHL and PJHL would play each other for a provincial championship. But in the 1979–80 season, the PJHL and BCJHL decided to merge. This made the BCJHL the main Junior "A" league in British Columbia.

Winning National Titles

The BCJHL started winning big in the 1980s. In 1986, the Penticton Knights became the first BCJHL team to win the national Junior "A" championship. They won the Centennial Cup. The next year, the Richmond Sockeyes won it too, giving the league back-to-back national titles!

Changes and Growth (1993-2021)

From 1993 to 2021, the BCHL was part of the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL). This group included all the top Junior "A" leagues in Canada. The winner of the BCHL's championship, the Fred Page Cup, would then play for the national championship. In 1995, the BCJHL officially changed its name to the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).

New Teams and Moves

Over these years, the league continued to expand and teams moved to new cities. For example, the Burnaby Bulldogs joined in 1998 and later moved to Port Alberni. The Coquitlam Express and Salmon Arm Silverbacks joined in 2001. Teams like the Chilliwack Chiefs moved and changed names, becoming the Langley Rivermen. The Wenatchee Wild from the USA joined in 2015.

Recent Times (2021-Present)

Leaving Hockey Canada

In March 2021, the BCHL left the Canadian Junior Hockey League. Then, on May 1, 2023, the BCHL made a big decision. They chose not to renew their agreement with Hockey Canada. This made the BCHL an independent league.

Why did they do this? The BCHL wanted more control over their league. They also wanted to be able to recruit younger players (under 18) from outside British Columbia. Under Hockey Canada rules, players under 18 usually had to live where their team was. But some major junior leagues could recruit players from anywhere. The BCHL wanted to offer a similar chance for talented young players. They also wanted to help players keep their eligibility for college hockey in the United States.

Because the BCHL is now independent, players and staff involved with the league cannot also play or work in Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs during the same season. To help with this, the BCHL increased the number of players teams could have on their roster.

Expanding to Alberta

On January 20, 2024, the BCHL announced another big change. Five teams from the Alberta Junior Hockey League would join the BCHL for the 2024-25 season! These teams are the Blackfalds Bulldogs, Brooks Bandits, Okotoks Oilers, Sherwood Park Crusaders, and Spruce Grove Saints. For the rest of the 2023-24 season, these five Alberta teams played in their own division within the BCHL.

Current Teams

For the 2024–25 BCHL season, the BCHL has 21 teams. They are split into four divisions and two conferences: the Coastal Conference (10 teams) and the Interior Conference (11 teams).

League Championships

Each season, the best teams from each conference go to the playoffs. There are four rounds of playoffs. The winners of the Coastal and Interior Conference playoffs then play each other. They compete for the Fred Page Cup, which is the BCHL championship trophy.

National Championships

The Centennial Cup (also known as the Royal Bank Cup for many years) is the championship for the Canadian Junior Hockey League. BCHL teams won this national title 14 times! However, since the BCHL left the CJHL in 2021, its teams can no longer compete for this trophy.

• 1986: Penticton Knights
• 1987: Richmond Sockeyes
• 1990: Vernon Lakers
• 1991: Vernon Lakers
• 1993: Kelowna Spartans
• 1996: Vernon Vipers
• 1998: South Surrey Eagles
• 1999: Vernon Vipers
• 2006: Burnaby Express
• 2009: Vernon Vipers
• 2010: Vernon Vipers
• 2012: Penticton Vees
• 2016: West Kelowna Warriors
• 2018: Chilliwack Chiefs

BCHL Records

Here are some amazing records set by players and teams in the BCHL!

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 (first-year player): 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 (not letting any goals in): 250 minutes, 25 seconds, Brad Thiessen, Prince George, 2005–06

Team Records

• Winning streak in a season: 42 Games, Penticton Vees, 2011-2012
• Most wins in a season: 54, Penticton Vees, 2011–2012
• Most points in a season: 110, Penticton Vees, 2011-2012
• Most goals scored in a season: 498, Penticton Knights, 1984–85
• Fewest goals against in a season: 115, Powell River Kings, 60-game schedule, 2010–11

Famous Players from the BCHL

Many talented hockey players have played in the BCHL before moving on to bigger leagues. Brett Hull, a NHL Hall of Famer, played for the Penticton Knights. He holds the BCHL record for most goals in a season (105). Other NHL players who started in the BCHL include Scott Gomez of the Surrey Eagles, Carey Price of the Quesnel Millionaires, and Paul Kariya of the Penticton Panthers.

List of NHL Alumni

Players in bold are in the Hockey Hall of Fame