NCAA vs BCHL – Don’t Think It’s Over

Regardless of who you talk with in hockey circles, everyone has a different opinion to the recent announcement of the NCAA regarding players.

If anyone thinks this is over don’t count on it just yet given the recent exit of players moving on to other leagues.

The controversy initially began when the BCHL pulled out of Hockey Canada in the summer of 2023 simply wanting a self governance situation and depending on who you asked I was told “can you blame them” being purely a business decision.

As of January of 2024 there are six out of the top ten players in the BCHL are American players also noting that thirteen of the top twenty scorers are American. 

We are hearing that one of the Canadian born players scoring in the top twenty are from BC with the other top twenty Canadian players are from Ontario and Quebec.

The most recent press release from the BCHL is below for your reading:

The BCHL’s Board of Governors met on Wednesday to discuss strategic planning in response to the recent NCAA eligibility change.

Earlier this year, the league’s Governors struck an Ad Hoc Committee to create a strategy around the upcoming rule change and that committee presented its findings so far.

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

He continued “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. 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.”

BCHL Commissioner Steven Cocker mentioned to the media “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.” 

He continued “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. 

Currently the league is without any draft format noting that the BCHL has always supported players’ choice arrangement noting that they “will always be in favour of athletes doing what they think is best for their development.”

The BCHL’s mandate going forward remains:

1. Unity & Growth
2. Players Choice
3. Academics
4. Independence
5. Meeting the needs of our athletes and of NCAA Division I programs

For more details on the mandate, and other information related to the eligibility change, visit the BCHL’s Frequently Asked Questions page.