The BCHL has introduced a set of year-end awards for officials, starting in 2023-24. At the conclusion of the season, the league will announce an Officiating All-Star Team made up of two referees and two linespeople. The award will be voted on by a panel of officiating coaches involved with the BCHL. “This initiative gives […]

The BC Hockey League announced today that current NHL referee Kelly Sutherland, former NHL officials Shane Heyer and Jay Sharrers, as well as Big Ten (NCAA) Coordinator of Officials Steve Piotrowski have signed on as development coaches and mentors for the BCHL’s Officiating Program in 2023-24. The group will work directly with BCHL officials, either […]

The BC Hockey League Board of Governors has approved a pilot project to expand video review at the 2022 Showcase event Oct. 17 to 20 in Chilliwack. Through the use of the Sporfie video system, officials will be able to review all penalties where a player would be ejected from the game, except for Abuse […]

The BC Hockey League held its Annual General Meeting May 26 and 27 in Salmon Arm, B.C. The league’s Governors discussed and approved several initiatives regarding officiating, scheduling and a wide variety of other topics. Officiating Development Program The Board of Governors approved the creation of a BCHL Officiating Development Program. The stated goal of […]

Photo credit: Chaisson Creative To say the last eight months have been challenging for BCHL official Braiden Epp is a massive understatement. The 25-year-old from Prince George, B.C., who is also a former BCHL player, had his life turned upside down last May when he noticed a strange sensation his legs while refereeing games in […]

Four BC Hockey League (BCHL) officials will become the first all-female officiating crew to work a game at the Canadian Junior A level today when they work a game between the Langley Rivermen and the Surrey Eagles. Grace Barlow and Megan Howes will referee today’s afternoon contest, while Melissa Brunn and Colleen Geddes will work […]

Photo credits: Garrett James Photography (Naylor), Michigan Photography (Granowicz) On this week’s episode of the BCHL Podcast, we talk to BCHL Director of Officiating and former NHL official Brad Lazarowich (1:50) to go over on-ice return-to-play protocols as well as his 30-year career in the NHL. After that, we are joined by Nanaimo Clippers goalie […]

Photo credit: Garrett James Photography The BCHL held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) over a series of video conference calls over the last month and the league’s Board of Governors has approved several new initiatives and protocols for the 2020-21 season. In Part 1 of our two-part segment, we will discuss those changes related to […]

The BCHL stakes its reputation on developing players and giving them the chance to play at the game’s highest level but the same is also true of officials. One of the star pupils of the BCHL’s officiating program in recent seasons before moving on to higher levels was Bevan Mills and he got to realize […]

Longtime NHL linesman Brad Lazarowich will be offering his 30 years of pro hockey experience when he and BCHL director of officiating Derek Adams host an upcoming camp for young officials. The Officials’ Development and Exposure Camp runs June 8 to 11. The development part of the camp will be June 8 and 9 at […]