The British Columbia Hockey League is a Junior A ice hockey league from British Columbia under Hockey Canada, a subsection of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. Founded in Vernon in 1961, the BCHL now includes 17 teams. These teams play in three divisions, known as the Interior, Island and Mainland divisions. The winner of the BCHL playoffs (Fred Page Cup) continues on to play in the Western Canada Cup or (WCC) featuring the champions of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, Manitoba Junior Hockey League, and Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. Two representatives from the WCC will compete in the Junior "A" National Championship for the Royal Bank Cup.
In 1961, the heads of four junior "B" hockey teams in the Okanagan region of British Columbia got together and formed the first ever Junior "A" league in British Columbia's history. The Okanagan-Mainline Junior "A" Hockey League, the precursor to the BCHL, was comprised originally of the Kamloops Jr. Rockets, the Kelowna Buckaroos, the Penticton Jr. Vees, and the Vernon Jr. Canadians.
In 1967, the league expanded out of the Okanagan region, bringing in the New Westminster Royals and the Victoria Cougars. With the expansion, the league decided that since it had stretched out of the Okanagan region, that it need a new name - The British Columbia Junior Hockey League. A year later, the Vancouver Centennials joined the league as well. In the 1970s, the Victoria Cougars jumped to the Western Hockey League and the New Westminster team was forced to fold due to the invasion of the Estevan Bruins into their arena. In 1972, the Bellingham Blazers and the Nanaimo Clippers expanded the league to 8 teams.
On a side note, in the early 1970s the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association separated the two tiers of Junior "A" hockey. The BCJHL, being a Tier II league, was disallowed from competing for the Memorial Cup. Therefore, the variety of Tier II Junior "A" leagues across Canada agreed to compete for a new trophy called the Centennial Cup. The '70s also saw the rise of a rival league for the BCJHL. The Pacific Coast Junior Hockey League, which briefly existed in the 1960s, was resurrected by Fred Page, the man that the Eastern Champion Junior "A" Fred Page Cup and the BCHL Championship trophy are named for. The Richmond Sockeyes were the PCJHL's most dominant team, which even defeated Nanaimo in the BC Championship, the Mowat Cup, to move on to what was the precursor to the Doyle Cup. In 1979, the PCJHL and the BCJHL merged. The 77-78 season proved to be a strange one. The BCJHL sent their regular season champion, the Merritt Centennials off to play in the interprovincial playdowns as league champions without playing a single playoff game. The BCJHL continued their league playoffs without them, crowning Nanaimo as the playoff champion after Penticton refused to finish the playoff finals due to a series of brawls in the third game of the series. Merritt played off against the Prince Albert Raiders of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League in the Abbott Cup (the Western Canada Championship) and lost in 5 games (best-of-7). The Raiders lost the Centennial Cup finals to the Guelph Platers of the Ontario Hockey Association.
In 1986, Penticton won the BCJHL's first ever National Championship defeating the Metro Valley Junior Hockey League's Cole Harbour Colts by a score of 7-4 to win the Centennial Cup. A year later, the BCJHL's Richmond Sockeyes won the league's second national title as well.
In 1990, the BCJHL was renamed to its current name, British Columbia Hockey League, and changed its logo twice, in 1990 and 2000, continues to expand with new teams and young players.
The most notable star to come from the BCHL is Olympian and National Hockey League hall of famer Brett Hull who played for Penticton. Hull holds the BCHL record for most goals in a season (105), which he set in 1983-84, a record that still stands today. Other NHLers who once played in the BCHL include Chuck Kobasew of the Colorado Avalanche who played for the since-renamed Penticton Panthers, Scott Gomez of the Montreal Canadiens, who played for South Surrey, and Carey Price of Montreal Canadiens who played for the Quesnel Millionaires. Willie Mitchell of the Los Angeles Kings is a native of British Columbia and played in the BCHL, as a member of the Kelowna Spartans, in 1994-95.
As of July 2013, the TheHockeyWriters.com lists the BCHL as the 6th best developmental league, professional or amateur, in North America.
The Wenatchee Wild, previously of the North American Hockey League had been attempting to get into the BCHL since 2012. On June 1, 2015 it was announced that they would be joining for the 2015-16 season, marking the league's return to the US after a twenty-year absence.
Williams Lake TimberWolves (suspended by League for being a "franchise not in good standing")
The Royal Bank Cup has been captured by a BCHL team eight times since the trophy's founding:
2016: West Kelowna Warriors
2012: Penticton Vees
2010: Vernon Vipers
2009: Vernon Vipers
2006: Burnaby Express
1999: Vernon Vipers
1998: South Surrey Eagles
1996: Vernon Vipers
The Centennial Cup was the forerunner to the Royal Bank Cup. The Centennial Cup was awarded for 25 years from 1971 to 1995 inclusive:
1993: Kelowna Spartans
1991: Vernon Lakers
1990: Vernon Lakers
1987: Richmond Sockeyes
1986: Penticton Knights
For Western Canada Cup (Inaugural Season 2013) , please go to the Western Canada Cup.
For pre-2013 Pacific Regional playoffs, please go to the Doyle Cup.
For the National Championship, please go to the Royal Bank Cup.
Please note: In chart, league champions are bolded.
For 2017, the top four teams from the Island and Mainland divisions advance to the playoffs, along with the top six Inland division teams, with a chance for the 5th place Mainland division team to take the spot of the 6th place Inland team if they finish higher in the regular season standings. The post-season consists of four rounds, all consisting of a series of best-of-seven games, and the top two teams in the Inland division receive a bye to the second round. The team that wins the Fred Page Cup championship advances to the 2017 Western Canada Cup in Pentiction, British Columbia.
See 2016–17 BCHL season for detailed playoff results.
1961 - Okanagan-Mainline Junior Hockey League founded with Kamloops Jr. Rockets, Kelowna Buckaroos, Penticton Jr. Vees, and Vernon Jr. Canadians.
1962 - Vernon Jr. Canadians become Vernon Blades.
1963 - OMJHL changes name to Okanagan Junior Hockey League.
1963 - Penticton Jr. Vees leave league.
1964 - Penticton returns as Penticton Broncos.
1964 - Kamloops Jr. Rockets become Kamloops Kraft Kings.
1967 - OJHL changes name to British Columbia Junior Hockey League.
1967 - Vernon Blades become Vernon Essos.
1967 - Kamloops Kraft Kings become Kamloops Rockets.
1967 - New Westminster Royals and Victoria Cougars join from Pacific Coast Junior A Hockey League.
1969 - Vancouver Centennials join league.
1970 - Chilliwack Bruins join league.
1971 - New Westminster Royals and Victoria Cougars leave league.
1972 - Vancouver Centennials become Vancouver Villas.
1972 - Nanaimo Clippers and Bellingham Blazers join league.
1973 - Kamloops Rockets move and become White Rock Centennials and then Merritt Centennials.
1973 - Vancouver Villas leave league.
1973 - Langley Lords join league.
1973 - Vernon Essos become Vernon Vikings.
1975 - Penticton Broncos become Penticton Vees.
1975 - Bellingham Blazers become Maple Ridge Blazers.
1976 - Kamloops Braves and Abbotsford Flyers join league.
1976 - Maple Ridge Blazers become Bellingham Blazers.
1976 - Chilliwack Bruins become Maple Ridge Bruins.
1976 - Langley Lords become Langley Thunder.
1977 - Maple Ridge Bruins move, renamed Revelstoke Bruins.
1977 - Kamloops Braves become Kamloops Chiefs.
1978 - Kamloops Chiefs become Kamloops Rockets.
1978 - Bellingham Blazers become Bellingham Ice Hawks.
1978 - Chilliwack Colts and Delta Suns join league.
1979 - Penticton Vees become Penticton Knights.
1979 - Revelstoke Bruins and Kamloops Rockets merge to become Revelstoke Bruins/Rockets.
1979 - Richmond Sockeyes and Nor'Wes Caps join league from Pacific Junior A Hockey League.
1979 - Delta Suns, Langley Thunder, and Vernon Canadians leave league.
1980 - Vernon rejoins league as Vernon Lakers.
1980 - Cowichan Valley Capitals and Coquitlam Comets join league.
1980 - Revelstoke Bruins/Rockets change name to Revelstoke Rockets.
1980 - Bellingham Ice Hawks move, renamed Vancouver Blue Hawks.
1980 - Chilliwack Colts cease operations mid-season.
1981 - Langley Eagles join league.
1981 - Coquitlam Comets and Nor'Wes Caps cease operations.
1982 - Esquimalt Buccaneers and Shuswap/Salmon Arm Totems join league.
1982 - Nanaimo Clippers cease operations.
1982 - Vancouver Blue Hawks move, renamed Burnaby Blue Hawks.
1983 - Revelstoke Rockets renamed Revelstoke Rangers.
1983 - Esquimalt Buccaneers move, renamed Nanaimo Clippers.
1983 - Kelowna Buckaroos move, renamed Summerland Buckaroos.
1983 - New Westminster Royals cease operations.
1984 - Cowichan Valley Capitals move, renamed Sidney Capitals.
1984 - Vernon Rockets renamed Vernon Lakers.
1985 - Delta Flyers and Kelowna Packers join league.
1985 - Burnaby Blue Hawks and Revelstoke Rangers cease operations.
1985 - Merritt Centennials renamed Merritt Warriors.
1985 - Abbotsford Flyers renamed Abbotsford Falcons.
1985 - Salmon Arm Totems renamed Salmon Arm/Shuswap Blazers.
1986 - Sidney Capitals move, renamed Juan de Fuca Whalers.
1987 - Salmon Arm/Shuswap Blazers renamed Salmon Arm Tigers.
1987 - Merritt Warriors renamed Merritt Centennials.
1987 - Langley Eagles move, renamed Chilliwack Eagles.
1988 - Summerland Buckaroos and Abbotsford Falcons cease operations.
1988 - Juan de Fuca Whalers move, renamed Cowichan Valley Whalers.
1988 - New Westminster Royals rejoin league.
1988 - Delta Flyers move, renamed Powell River Paper Kings.
1989 - Kelowna Packers renamed Kelowna Spartans.
1989 - Chilliwack Eagles move, renamed Ladner Penguins.
1989 - Cowichan Valley Whalers renamed Cowichan Valley Capitals.
1989 - Salmon Arm Tigers cease operations.
1990 - Penticton Knights renamed Penticton Panthers.
1990 - Victoria Warriors join league.
1990 - Ladner Penguins move, renamed Bellingham Ice Hawks.
1990 - Richmond Sockeyes move, renamed Chilliwack Chiefs.
1990 - Cowichan Valley Capitals cease operations.
1991 - New Westminster Royals move, renamed Surrey Eagles.
1993 - Cowichan Valley Capitals rejoin league.
1993 - Victoria Warriors cease operations.
1994 - Victoria Salsa, Langley Thunder, Royal City Outlaws join league.
1995 - Bellingham Ice Hawks sell franchise rights to Trail Smoke Eaters of the Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League; Trail joins BCHL.
1995 - Vernon Lakers renamed Vernon Vipers.
1995 - Kelowna Spartans cease operations.
1996 - Royal City Outlaws sell franchise rights to Prince George Spruce Kings; both Prince George and the Quesnel Millionaires of the RMJHL join the BCHL.
1996 - Surrey Eagles renamed South Surrey Eagles.
1998 - Burnaby Bulldogs join league.
1998 - Powell River Paper Kings renamed Powell River Kings; Langley Thunder renamed Langley Hornets.
2001 - Coquitlam Express and Salmon Arm Silverbacks join league.
2002 - Williams Lake TimberWolves join league.
2002 - Burnaby Bulldogs move to Alberni Valley.
2003 - South Surrey Eagles renamed Surrey Eagles.
2004 - Penticton Panthers renamed Penticton Vees.
2005 - Coquitlam Express move to Burnaby.
2006 - Langley Hornets move, renamed Westside Warriors.
2006 - Chilliwack Chiefs move to Langley.
2006 - Victoria Salsa renamed Victoria Grizzlies.
2007 - Williams Lake TimberWolves take leave of absence from league.
2009 - Williams Lake TimberWolves active in league.
2010 - Williams Lake TimberWolves declared "not in good standing"; operations suspended.
2010 - Burnaby Express move to Coquitlam.
2011 - Quesnel Millionaires move, become Chilliwack Chiefs.
2011 - Langley Chiefs renamed Langley Rivermen
2012 - Westside Warriors renamed West Kelowna Warriors
2015 - Wenatchee Wild join league from the North American Hockey League
Individual records
Most goals in a season: 105, Brett Hull, Penticton, 1983–84
Most assists in a season: 111, Bob Ginetti, Burnaby, 1986–87
Most points in a season: 188, Brett Hull, Penticton, 1983–84
Most goals in a season, defenceman: 38, Campbell Blair, Vernon, 1986–87
Most assists in a season, defenceman: 77, Bruce Harris, Bellingham, 1978–79; Ian Kidd, Penticton, 1984–85
Most points in a season, defenceman: 109, Campbell Blair, Vernon, 1986–87
Most goals in a season, rookie: 84, John Newberry, Nanaimo, 1979–80
Most assists in a season, rookie: 103, Doug Berry, Kelowna, 1974–75
Most points in a season, rookie: 185, John Newberry, Nanaimo, 1979–80
Most shorthanded goals in a season: 14, Greg Hadden, New Westminster, 1988–89
Most powerplay goals in a season: 32, Dan Bousquet, Penticton, 1993–94
Longest consecutive shutout streak: 250 minutes, 25 seconds, Brad Thiessen, Prince George, 2005–06
Team records
Winning streak in a season: 42 Games Penticton Vees 2011-2012
Most wins in a season: 54 Penticton Vees, 2011-2012; 52, New Westminster Royals, 1989–90; Vernon Vipers, 1998–99
Most points in a season: 110, Penticton Vees, 2011-2012
Most goals scored in a season: 498, Penticton Knights, 1984–85
Fewest goals against in a season: 130, Penticton Knights, 48-game schedule, 1981–82; 115, Powell River Kings, 60-game schedule, 2010–11
