Vancouver Island Junior B League ends partnership with Hockey Canada

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The BC Hockey League has a new tag team partner in its feud with Hockey Canada.

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The 11-team Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League announced Monday that it will leave Hockey Canada and become an independent league next fall. This may sound familiar, as the BCHL severed ties with Hockey Canada and began operating on its own last June.

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Five teams from the Alberta Junior Hockey League made the jump from Hockey Canada in January and also signed with the BCHL.

The two sides were not friendly. For example, Hockey Canada criticized the BCHL for giving roster spots to Americans and Europeans, and said in a statement in early February that Hockey Canada's “first priority is to provide Canadian players with the opportunity to participate in our country's winter sports.” It's something to do.''

BCHL CEO Chris Hebb fired back at Hockey Canada for his comments about the roster structure, saying, “I don't understand what they're trying to accomplish.” According to the league, more than 70 per cent of this season's BCHL players are Canadian.

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When the BCHL announced that it would be parting ways with Hockey Canada, it pointed to Hockey Canada's restrictions on recruitment and other matters. VIJHL issued a similar message, explaining in a written statement on its website on Monday that the decision “gives VIJHL more autonomy and puts all decision-making in our hands.”

West Shore Wolves owner Sean Vincent called the VIJHL's independence a “player-based decision” and noted that the league would be a feeder system or affiliate league for the BCHL.

Under Hockey Canada rules, players who participate in non-sanctioned or independent leagues after September 30 of the season are not eligible to participate in any type of Hockey Canada activity for the remainder of the season.

“Many players and families were frustrated that they had to consider the option of going to Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba to reach the next level of hockey,” Vincent added. Ta.

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Per Hockey Canada regulations, the BCHL expanded its roster this season to include up to 23 skaters and three goaltenders on each team. Some players saw limits to their duties. There was also a third-team goalie who played in only one game during the regular season. Adding affiliate leagues should alleviate this situation.

The BCHL has long been the most successful Junior A league in the country in terms of sending players to NCAA scholarships. The BCHL team also won the most Centenary Cup national Junior A titles (14) of any Canadian league.

Founded in 1965, the VIJHL was a Junior B league until last July, when BC Hockey, the province's governing body, elevated the league to Junior A Tier II as part of filling a gap in the Canadian hockey development path. . Due to withdrawal from BCHL. The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League and Pacific Junior Hockey League were also promoted from Junior B.

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The plan is to allow teams in those leagues to apply for Junior A Tier I status. BC Hockey has hired Blackfin Sports, led by former Vancouver Canucks assistant general manager Chris Geer, to evaluate candidates, and is expected to complete the evaluation sometime next season.

Vincent said the VIJHL isn't sure how many teams will be promoted, and with only 11 teams on Vancouver Island, it could be put in a difficult position if only some are accepted.

The KIJHL and PJHL released identical statements on Monday saying they plan to remain with Hockey Canada. They said in a news release that even though traditionally the three leagues have been designated at the same level,It is important that players, families, and fans clearly and accurately understand the differences in the level of competition between the three leagues. ” They continued to explainThe KIJHL and PJHL have won 38 of 42 state championships against VIJHL teams, including the last seven straight.

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BC Hockey CEO Cameron Hope said the decision is “very devastating in the short term for the children of Vancouver Island.”

Mr Hope acknowledged that they were a “membership organization” and could not “force anyone to become a member”.

“If you don't like the gym, just look for another gym. I don't understand why some people don't like this gym,” he said.

Leaving Hockey Canada means the VIJHL will have to find its own insurance and its own referees and linesmen.

BCHL was also located in the same location.

The problems between the BCHL and Hockey Canada have been going on for years. The league left the Canadian Junior Hockey League, which represents Hockey Canada and manages the Centennial Cup national championship and other events, in April 2021. Additionally, in September 2022, it released a white paper on how to “modernize Canada's junior hockey system.”

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There are various connections between BCHL and VIJHL. Among them is the fact that David Michaud serves as president of both the BCHL's Alberni Valley Bulldogs and the VIJHL's Port Alberni Bombers.

The Victoria Times Colonist also reported: The VIJHL's Peninsula Panthers have been sold by longtime owners Pete and Colleen Zubersky to Rich Murphy, who also owns the BCHL's Trail Smoke Eaters.

SEwen@Postmedia.com

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