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Department of Player Safety

The BCHL’s Department of Player Safety (DOPS) oversees all on-ice incidents during BCHL games. If an incident has the potential to warrant discipline to an individual player, the DOPS meets to discuss whether or not it deserves a suspension, and what the appropriate length of suspension would be.

Beyond disciplining players and coaches, a large focus of the DOPS is on education. The league’s Vice President of Hockey Operations Brad Lazarowich visits each team before the season to educate players and coaches on the rules and regulations and what type of plays do or do not warrant discipline. In the case that a player is disciplined, the DOPS works with that player to educate them on why a suspension was given and how to avoid it going forward.

Brad Lazarowich -Vice President, Hockey Operations

In his role with the league, Lazarowich is responsible for monitoring, mentoring and developing BCHL referees and linesmen. He handles the scheduling of officials for all BCHL games and maintains open communication with coaches across the league on all officiating inquiries.

One of the longest-serving officials in NHL history, Lazarowich started in the NHL in 1986 and worked 1,971 games before retiring in 2016. He was assigned to three Stanley Cup Finals, highlighted by a Game 7 in 2003 between the Anaheim Ducks and New Jersey Devils. He also worked the World Cup of hockey in 1996 and 2004, the 1996 NHL All-Star Game in Boston and he spent 16 years in the NHL Officials Association where he played a key role in collective bargaining, officials contracts and the NHL Pension Society.

Lazarowich joined the BCHL in the 2012-13 season while still active as an NHL linesman.