No Off-Season For Juniors

Regardless of the summer we are enjoying, many of us spending time relaxing, some individuals have their minds set on constant training for the upcoming hockey season.

Such is the case with several BCHL players who are “on a mission” to reach the next level of their game and many aren’t that far off.

We just received this from the BCHL and wanted to share with everyone, so enjoy the read.

The league is pleased to recognize three players for their hustle this season and thanks our partners at FortisBC for their support again in 2016-17.

The British Columbia Hockey League is pleased to announce its FortisBC Energy Players of the Year with forward Colin Burston of the Wenatchee Wild and Zac Masson of the Langley Rivermen tying for a share of the the regular-season recognition with Chilliwack Chiefs forward Linden Hora taking it for the playoffs.

Once again this past season and throughout the playoffs, in addition to the 3 Stars, one player was recognized each game for his hard work on the ice with the FortisBC Energy Player of the Game nod.

Burston, Masson and Hora are this year’s winning players with the BCHL season concluded and the playoff tally added up.

In 56 regular-season games, Burston was named FortisBC Energy Player of the Game 12 times while Masson earned his 12 nods while dressing in all 58 games.

Burston, a native of Winnipeg, produced 25 goals and 43 assists for 68 points which was third-most on the Wild.

Masson calls Newmarket, Ontario home and he managed to set new career highs with 15 goals and 39 helpers for 54 points which put him fourth in Rivermen scoring.

Hora, from Kelowna, B.C., played all 23 Chiefs playoff games as the team went all the way to Game 7 of the Fred Page Cup BCHL Finals.

He earned the FortisBC Energy Player of the Game recognition on five occasions after notching five goals and three assists in the playoffs. He had eight goals and nine helpers in 51 regular-season games.

The BCHL thanks FortisBC for their support again this season and congratulates Colin, Zac and Linden on this outstanding achievement.

News;

The BCHL held its annual general meeting last week in Richmond, B.C. and have decided on several initiatives that will take place for the coming season.

First, the league confirmed the results of a motion voted on prior to the AGM that sees the Wenatchee Wild move to the Interior Division for 2017-18 season.

The Wild competed in the Mainland Division for the past two seasons.

The league has entered into a partnership agreement that will see each of its players undergo base-line concussion tests prior to participating in league games. The initial testing will be completed at the 2017 Bauer BCHL Showcase.

When new players join the league, they will be tested prior to competing in their first game and with this the partnership is part of the ongoing efforts of the BCHL to ensure player safety.

The BCHL renewed its commitment to an existing partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association of B.C. (CMHA BC) via its Talk Today Program where each team has a CMHA liaison who provides referrals to mental health and addictions support.

Additional resources have been committed to the Ultimate Toolkit program for fan engagement and ticket sales. The initial phase of the program, in place for the 2017 BCHL playoffs, saw an increase in attendance of close to 24 per cent over the 2016 playoffs.

Also, BCHL clubs will be pursuing upgrades to their broadcast systems to get high-definition video for pay-per-view customers on HockeyTV.

Several BCHL teams had HD in place last season and the goal is to have all arenas with upgraded cameras for 2017-18.

The dates for the 2017 Bauer BCHL Showcase are Sept. 20 to 24 at Prospera Centre in Chilliwack. All games this year will take place on the arena’s main sheet of ice.

The board of governors is also fully in support and looking forward to the first-ever BCHL Exposure Camp which is happening July 1 to 3 at Richmond Olympic Oval.

The camp is at full capacity with 132 elite young hockey players and their families coming to learn from BCHL coaches and find out more about the Junior A – NCAA development path.

Finally, the league named two individuals for excellence in the administrative and promotional aspects for the league.

Wenatchee Wild governor David White was named Executive of the Year while Chilliwack Chiefs director of marketing Barry Douglas was named Marketer of the Year.

The 2017-18 season will be the 56th for the BCHL. Details are still be finalized for the regular season schedule and it should be announced by the end of June.