Updated: March 31, 2025
Was the BCHL caught by surprise by the NCAA eligibility rule change?
No, the BCHL identified the potential of a rule change as something we needed to be proactive about years ago. Initial discussions started with our Futures Committee in 2022 and led to the formation of an Ad Hoc Committee in the summer of 2024, with the sole purpose of being proactive and creating a strategy for how the BCHL will deal with the landscape changes and continue to deliver a first-class development experience to our athletes.
With the changes this year to the junior hockey landscape, what is the BCHL’s mandate going forward?
- 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.
What is the league’s immediate plan?
As detailed in the BCHL Mandate, we are doubling down in areas that have led to our growth and success. We will not make knee-jerk decisions when we expect the ecosystem to continue to adapt over the next couple of years. We anticipate other junior leagues will make adjustments when young athletes begin to announce that they are pursuing NCAA opportunities.
How will the BCHL maintain its status as one of the top destination for college-tracking junior players?
The BCHL is tailored to prepare players for college hockey on and off the ice, and that will not change. The league’s schedule is modeled after the NCAA’s, the rule book is identical and there is a keen focus on education. In addition, over decades, the league has built relationships with college programs and knows exactly how to cater to them and will continue to do so.
Did the BCHL take a hit in player quality after the rule change?
The league did lose a small percentage of players, but those players were replaced by high-end athletes from leagues across North America who see the BCHL as a path to college. We also had some athletes who left and were welcomed back with open arms. We have elite talent in our league and it does not shock us that other leagues would want BCHL athletes. Since the rule change on Nov. 7, the BCHL is still among the leaders in Division I commitments with 46 (and counting), which is on par with other seasons.
How does Western Hockey League (WHL) expansion into Penticton and Chilliwack affect the league?
Penticton’s ownership is maintaining its BCHL membership and looking to relocate the franchise. Chilliwack ownership was not involved in the WHL expansion process and fully supports the BCHL. The Chiefs organization has formally committed to play in the league next year and has expressed their commitment beyond that as well.
Is the BCHL regretting leaving Hockey Canada or looking to get back?
No. Our independence has been, and will continue to be, a benefit to us and we feel it is one of our greatest strengths. It allows us to quickly make changes that benefit our athletes and our league as a whole.
Are the five Alberta teams regretting their decision to join the BCHL?
No. The Alberta teams are happy where they are and have no desire to go back to their previous league. All five teams are committed to the BCHL and support the league’s direction.
In recent years, the BCHL has talked about its Standards Scorecard and making improvements at the team level. What has been the result of this process?
The commitment by the league’s Board of Governors in 2021 to the Standards Scorecard has resulted in an increase of quality across the league on and off the ice. Teams have added arena features like high-quality video boards and in-game video review capabilities, while also making improvements to team facilities like dressing rooms, team gyms and more. It has also resulted in significant investments to team staffing, all of which has increased the standards for our teams and has improved the experience for players and fans. This process has established the BCHL as a Tier I college-tracking junior hockey league.
What does the future look like for the BCHL?
The BCHL Board of Governors, league office and its committees are all working tirelessly to continue improving the league in all areas, including an enhanced education program, and to remain on the upward trajectory that the BCHL has been following over the past several years. The BCHL will continue to be a top destination for college-tracking athletes and will adapt in whichever ways best serve athletes on that path.
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Key data:
- 449 alumni played NCAA Division I hockey in 2024-25 (25% of all Div. I players)
- 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
- 250 NCAA Division I committed players currently in the league
- 46 Division I commitments since the NCAA eligibility rule change in November
- Have tied or surpassed our NCAA commitment record every year since 2015-16 (COVID-19 shortened season excluded)
- 13.4 college committed players per team last year (compared to 10.6 the year prior)
- 22 BCHL alumni have been selected in the NHL Draft since 2022
- 29 alumni were selected to NCAA All-Conference teams in 2024-25
- Five out of six players on the ECAC Hockey First-Team All-Conference were BCHL alumni
