After the NCAA changed its eligibility regulations earlier this month, people understandably have questions about how that affects the BCHL.
What is the BCHL’s mandate?
- Unity & Growth
The BCHL Board of Governors is committed to a strength-in-numbers approach and to continue growing the league moving forward. - Players Choice
We have, and will always, support player choice, which is why we do not have a draft. - Academics
As a feeder league to the NCAA, we care as much about our players in the classroom as we do on the ice and in the gym. That will remain a key focus of our league going forward, ensuring our athletes are prepared for the next level. - Independence
As an independent league, we have the autonomy to make decisions in the best interest of our athletes and their development. - Meeting the needs of our athletes and of NCAA Division I programs
We have made significant improvements in all of our programs to better serve our athletes’ development and their aspirations for higher education. When a player comes out of the BCHL, they are already prepared for the NCAA.
Has there been a mass exodus of players going from the BCHL to the CHL?
To date, less than four per cent of the league has left for the CHL. As usual, there is movement between other leagues like the USHL, CJHL, etc. which happens every season. Since the rule change has been in place, our teams have replaced players that left for the CHL with highly skilled athletes from other leagues with college aspirations. We have always supported player choice. If an athlete wants to leave, they have that right. As our teams have shown, there is a lineup of players ready to take roster spots, if needed.
Why did you call a special Board meeting on Nov. 20?
We called the meeting to give our Ad Hoc Committee focused on the NCAA eligibility change the chance to go over its recent findings and allow our Governors the chance to give feedback on the strategic direction of the league.
What was the outcome of the meeting?
The outcome was a very positive discussion of how the BCHL can be unified in its approach to continue to thrive as a pipeline for NCAA Division I players going forward.
How will the BCHL continue to attract top-end talent?
We will continue to attract top-end talent through our focus on academics, which many NCAA Division I programs significantly value. We have also modeled our schedule after college hockey with the vast majority of games on Fridays and Saturdays and development time in the gym, on the ice and in the classroom throughout the week. We also have great relationships with NCAA Division I programs with many schools wanting their players to come to our league.
Through our league scorecard, we have upped league standards on and off the ice by a large margin. In addition, our league continues to promote player choice. We do not have a draft. You get to choose which of our 21 programs are the best fit for you. None of our teams will have the ability to charge players as of 2025-26 and the vast majority already do not charge. Lastly, the work by our committees and the dedication of our Board will ensure that this league continues to thrive going forward.
What is the BCHL’s differentiator now that the eligibility rule has changed?
- Our league is specifically designed to prepare our players for college hockey, on and off the ice
- We have 21 teams in Western Canada already geared to get players to the NCAA
- We have modeled our schedule after the NCAA with the vast majority of games on Fridays and Saturdays and development time in the gym, on the ice and in the classroom throughout the week
- Our on-ice rule book is identical to the Big Ten conference rules
- We have great relationships with NCAA Division I programs with many schools wanting their players to come to our league
Are the five Alberta teams regretting their decision to join the BCHL?
No. This rule change affects all of junior hockey, so it’s not as if they would be unaffected if they remained in their previous league. The Alberta teams remain happy with their decision to join the BCHL and recognize that being a part of our league puts their organizations in the best position possible to thrive under the new regulations. The BCHL remains the clear top producer of NCAA Division I players in Canada.
Have you received feedback from any NCAA programs or conferences about where this leaves the BCHL?
Yes, we have held multiple meetings with NCAA Division I programs and conferences and the response has been encouraging. In no way do they feel the BCHL is irrelevant under the new regulations. They recognize the track record our league has and the high-end talent of our players. They also acknowledge the fact that our academic standards are at a high level, which makes it easier for them to recruit. Their players speak highly of their experience in the BCHL.
What do you say to people saying this rule change is the end of the BCHL?
With our track record and the current talent level of our league, our strategic plan going forward will keep this league thriving.
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Key data:
- 448 alumni currently playing NCAA Division I hockey (25% of all Div. I players)
- 247 NCAA Division I committed players currently in the league
- Set an NCAA commitment record every year since 2019-20 (COVID-19 shortened season excluded)
- 13.4 college committed players per team last year (compared to 10.6 the year prior)
- BCHL alumni make up 42% of Ivy League men’s hockey players
- ECAC Hockey conference has an average of 10.5 BCHL alumni per team
- Rest to game ratio is second only to NCAA (3.37:1)
- Teams are permitted to fly to out-of-conference games
