BC Hockey has announced a new name and brand for its high performance regional leagues for the coming 2021/22 season.
The B.C. Elite Hockey League (BCEHL) will now be home to the top ‘AAA’ level players in the province.
Local clubs include the Greater Vancouver Canadians that will be icing teams at the boys U15, U17 and U18 levels, along with the Greater Vancouver Comets for U18 female.
In total, the four leagues will feature 35 teams from throughout B.C. and the Yukon.
“Our increased focus on these leagues is much more than just a rebrand of the logo and a name change,” BC Hockey’s Chief Executive Officer Cameron Hope said. “We are creating a stronger infrastructure for hockey in our region alongside the new identity.
“The BCEHL will set a standard for elite competition in B.C. and operate in a way that provides ongoing support for the entire minor hockey environment. After all, the players who earn a chance to compete at this level in the future are lacing up right now in MHA programs all across B.C. and Yukon.”
Originally established in 2004/05 season as the British Columbia Major Midget League for players under 18 years of age, a female division was initialized in 2007/08 and played under the umbrella of the Female Midget AAA League. In 2018 a U16 league was created, followed by a U15 league in 2019. These four divisions now comprise the BCEHL.
“These young athletes play in the premier AAA hockey league in British Columbia,” BCEHL Commissioner Fred Zweep said. “We are committed to having everything about the experience be reflective of the high calibre of coaching, development, growth, and game competition delivered at this level. We look forward to seeing BCEHL teams competing for national championships at the Esso Cup and the TELUS Cup.”
The BCEHL season begins on Friday (Sept. 24) with 20 teams across the four leagues in action. The BCEHL will be launching a new website and social media sites in the near future.
