Why Did the BCHL Leave Hockey Canada?

The BCHL voted to leave Hockey Canada and run an independent league. Ian Kennedy explains what this means for recruiting players to the Jr. A league.

Update: This story's been updated with a statement Hockey Canada provided on Monday evening recognizing the BCHL's vote.

The British Columbia League, one of Canada’s top Jr. A leagues, has pulled out of Hockey Canada. Beginning June 1, the BCHL and its 18 teams will operate independently of Hockey Canada.

It’s an unprecedented move in Canadian junior hockey, although the league was already operating outside of the Canadian Junior Hockey League, not sending their champion to compete in the Centennial Cup since 2021.

The move, which the BCHL’s press release states intends “to grow and create move opportunities for players and move excitement for fans,” marks a major hit to Hockey Canada, as the BCHL sends more players to NCAA Div. I hockey than all other junior hockey leagues in Canada combined. According to the BCHL, last season, there were 411 alumni in the NCAA, representing a quarter of the NCAA Div. I player roster.

“(W)e aspire to do more for players and to provide a higher level of hockey for our fans. Under the current system, that’s just not possible,” said BCHL chairman Graham Fraser in a league news release.

“Our owners and governors are proud of how far we have come in recent years and have a strong desire to continue to grow and make decisions that are in the best interests of young players and families. Today, we are entering a new era that will eliminate barriers and change the landscape of junior hockey in Canada.”

Hockey Canada said in a statement to The Hockey News on Monday evening that it recognizes the BCHL's decision.

"Hockey Canada and our members are tasked with ensuring that participants of all ages and abilities can enjoy playing hockey in communities across the country, both recreationally and competitively," said Hockey Canada's statement. "While we feel strongly that our model for delivering hockey is to the benefit and safety of players, coaches, officials, parents, administrators and volunteers, we recognize that the BCHL and others are free to enjoy the game outside of sanctioned programs. 

"Hockey Canada will continue to work with BC Hockey and its nearly 94,000 remaining participants to provide British Columbians with opportunities to safely enjoy, develop and compete in Canada’s game."

One of the major changes the BCHL intends to institute is the removal of its recruiting boundaries. 

By cutting ties with Hockey Canada, the BCHL is no longer restricted to recruiting U-18 players whose province of residence is British Columbia. Now, they’ll be able to draw from across Canada and the United States. However, the roster minimums for BC-born players will not change.

The BCHL also hopes to attract the top talent from other provinces who previously were forced to go to the NAHL and USHL, the top two American junior leagues, because of Hockey Canada restrictions. 

This season, 44 Canadian players appeared in the USHL, while 52 played in the NAHL, according to eliteprospects.com. With the BCHL’s new recruitment freedom, the league hopes to attract the top players from across North America, challenging the USHL as the top development league outside Major Junior in North America.

“We believe U-18 players should have two development paths in Canada – major junior leading to the (NHL) being one and college-tracking junior leading to a US college and then the NHL being the other,” said BCHL CEO Chris Hebb in the league's release. “Both are important. Both should be supported.”

Not only will the BCHL now be able to recruit from across North America, but the league can now also draw from Europe, again challenging the two American leagues. The USHL had 53 players from Europe and Asia, while the NAHL welcomed 86 players from outside North America, according to eliteprospects.com.

This season, 23 BCHL alumni played in the NHL. Those players include Jamie Benn, Alex Kerfoot, Devon Toews, Dante Fabbro and Kent Johnson. 

This year, several more past, present, and future BCHL players will be selected by NHL teams. Two players, Matthew Wood and Bradly Nadeau, are projected as possible first-round NHL picks. 

The BCHL’s NHL alumni also include four Hockey Hall of Fame members: Brett Hull, Paul Kariya, Mark Recchi and Glenn Anderson.

The BCHL has been in operation since 1961.