(Photo supplied by the BCHL)

By Ian Gustafson

Meeting aftermath

BCHL puts plan in place following NCAA rule change

Nov 22, 2024 | 5:11 PM

The British Columbia Hockey League’s Board of Governors met earlier this week to discuss strategic planning in response to the NCAA’s eligibility rule change.

The league says they the board formed an Ad Hoc committee earlier this year to develop a strategy in preparation of the rule change. At the meeting on Wednesday they went over the committee’s findings.

BCHL Board Chairman Richard Murphy said their committees have been working tirelessly to ensure this league is in the best position possible in the ever-changing landscape of junior hockey.

“We had a very positive discussion at Wednesday’s meeting and it reinforced the fact that our Board room remains committed to providing the best path for young athletes to develop into NCAA Division I hockey players,” he said in a media release.

“Our high standards of education, along with our track record of providing elite on-ice development, means that we will continue to produce college-bound athletes for years to come.”

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Since the rule change, the BCHL reported less than four per cent of the league’s players have left for the Canadian Hockey League.

Teams have since replaced the departed with players from other leagues who have hopes of earning a NCAA scholarship.

The Blackfalds Bulldogs told rdnewsNOW that they’ve had zero players leave the team so far.

The BCHL will continue to attract top-end talent through their focus on academics, which they say the NCAA values heavily, and have modeled their schedule after college hockey.

The league’s main differentiators is that its designed specifically to prepare players for college hockey and that they have a great relationship with the NCAA, among other things.

Their mandate moving forward incudes:

1. Unity & Growth
   The BCHL Board of Governors is committed to a strength-in-numbers approach and to continue growing the league moving forward.
2. Players Choice
   We have, and will always, support player choice, which is why we do not have a draft.
3. 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.
4. Independence
   As an independent league, we have the autonomy to make decisions in the best interest of our athletes and their development.
5. 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.

“There’s no doubt that this rule change has altered the landscape of junior hockey, but as our league has always done, we will adapt to the new regulations and continue to thrive,” said BCHL Commissioner Steven Cocker.

“The fact is, only a small percentage of players have left our league due to this change and our teams are bringing in highly skilled athletes from other leagues to take their place. As a league without a draft, the BCHL has always supported players choice. We will always be in favour of athletes doing what they think is best for their development.”

The BCHL also silenced any noise that the rule change could be the end of the league saying with their track record and strategic plan, they’ll continue to thrive.

The Alberta Junior Hockey League is also affected by the rule change saying with the Western Canadian Development Model in place, they’ve had players from their league and the WHL going back and forth at all times.