The BCHL has introduced its new Academic Readiness Program, a comprehensive initiative designed to be the gold standard for preparing student athletes for the classroom and aiding them in their hockey journey.
The program consists of policies, enhanced support tools and partnerships to ensure that every BCHL athlete is academically prepared to excel in the NCAA, U Sports and beyond.
“In today’s evolving hockey landscape, the BCHL is taking a proactive and progressive approach and rethinking how we operate,” said league Commissioner Steven Cocker. “This shift has given us the opportunity to reflect on the many successes we’ve had and identify areas where we can raise the bar even higher.”
“The BCHL is already recognized as the leader in developing athletes for the top academic institutions in NCAA men’s hockey, but we are not satisfied with that. We are committed to building on our track record and ensuring our athletes excel both on the ice and in the classroom, wherever their next stop is.”
Track record
Over the years, the BCHL has become Canada’s leader in sending players to post-secondary institutions.
- In 2024-25, league alumni made up 25 per cent of all NCAA Division I athletes and 42 per cent of all Ivy League players
- In 2024-25 the BCHL had over 500 alumni enrolled in NCAA or U Sports institutions
- Since 2017-18, the BCHL has grown its yearly number of NCAA Division I committed players from 142 to a league record 292 in 2023-24
For decades, each BCHL team has had an academic advisor on staff to work with athletes and ensure they have the necessary support to excel in the classroom and maintain their eligibility for post-secondary education.
“For years, our academic advisors have been a vital part of our players’ educational journeys,” said Cocker. “Many of them have been with their teams for decades, dedicating countless hours to helping athletes succeed academically. We owe it to them to provide more resources, training and tools so they can continue guiding our players through the critical transition to post-secondary life. Their work is essential to the BCHL’s mission of developing well-rounded student-athletes.”
Athlete Development Alliance
The BCHL has partnered with the Athlete Development Alliance (ADA) to act as the league’s academic consultants. ADA’s Dr. Richard Wolfe will work with the BCHL’s stable of team academic advisors and coaches, ensuring they are provided with the necessary support and resources to continue mentoring athletes when it comes to their education.
Wolfe is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business and was previously a sports management professor at the University of Michigan and Brock University. He is also the founder of the Academics & Athletics: Co-Creating Excellence program, a goal of which is to optimally prepare junior hockey players, academically, for college.
“I have had the opportunity to work with the BCHL for only two months — however, getting to know the league’s Academic Advisors provides me with a good sense of how the league has been so successful in placing its players in the NCAA over the years,” said Wolfe. “The advisors are a very impressive group of unselfish volunteers who are willing to share their knowledge in a manner that will allow the BCHL to continue to thrive in placing its players in higher education.”
“As former collegiate players, educators, and coaches we know the path to collegiate hockey is long and arduous,” said Shawn Burt, ADA’s Co-Founder & President of Business, Brand & Athlete Marketing. “By prioritizing education alongside elite hockey, we are thrilled to support the BCHL’s leadership position in preparing their student-athletes for what’s next. The hockey landscape has changed. The best developed people make the best student-athletes and we look forward to supporting the BCHL in this capacity.”
Partnerships
The BCHL is partnering with American Public University System (APUS) and Thompson Rivers University (TRU) to give athletes access to convenient and affordable higher education opportunities, allowing them to continue their academics after high school, but before moving on to their college or university hockey careers.
“As a leading online higher education provider, we are honoured to collaborate with the BCHL to expand access to affordable and flexible higher education options for student-athletes as they advance in both their academic and athletic pursuits,” said Eric Morris, Associate Vice President, Strategic Partnerships for APUS. “We realize hockey players are balancing big goals, on and off the ice, and our online format is a great fit.”
“Thompson Rivers University is pleased to partner with the BCHL to support the academic goals of these high-level players,” said Shannon Wagner, TRU’s Interim Provost and Vice President Academic. “This collaboration gives BCHL athletes greater access to flexible, high-quality online courses that can be pursued alongside their hockey commitments, helping them build a strong foundation for success both on and off the ice.”
In addition to the post-secondary partnerships, the league is also working with virtual high schools to accommodate younger athletes who are not able to attend brick and mortar schools.
Bylaws
In January of this year at the league’s Semi-Annual Meeting, the Board of Governors approved several changes to the league’s bylaws to ensure teams are providing the necessary academic support and resources for athletes to succeed academically. These changes ensure accountability, structure and consistent support for all athletes across the league. Bylaw updates include:
- Team-submitted academic plans
- Team-submitted academic schedules and study time
- NCAA Clearinghouse registration and compliance deadlines
- Enrollment requirements and testing
- Enhanced tutoring support
- Athlete academic reporting (Grade Point Average, academic schedule, attendance record)
- Compliance and accountability
“Despite the BCHL’s great track record for advancing players to the NCAA, the Board recognized the need to bolster our commitment to academic excellence, ensuring our athletes are fully equipped for success in both their educational and hockey pursuits,” said Cranbrook Bucks majority owner and President Nathan Lieuwen, who also serves as the Vice Chair of the BCHL’s Board of Governors. “By passing these bylaws, we are setting a new standard for holistic athlete development, reinforcing the BCHL’s leadership in preparing players for top-tier post-secondary institutions.”
As the season unfolds, the BCHL will share additional details related to the Academic Readiness Program, spotlighting these partnerships and the people behind them.
