Start of BCHL season delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions

The BC Hockey League is now hoping to start its already-delayed regular season on Dec. 8.

That date had been Dec. 2, but due to the provincial health orders issued last week, the league will not schedule any games between now and midnight on Dec. 7.

The BCHL Return to Play Task Force will push the regular season start date to Tuesday Dec. 8 to accommodate the new orders against team travel.

It also means that the remainder of the exhibition schedule has been cancelled.

“If the PHO extends their current restrictions beyond Dec. 7, we have the option of moving the start date to after the holidays, but it is our intention to begin play once the current order expires”, said BCHL Commissioner Chris Hebb. “Our objective from the beginning, when we worked out our COVID-19 Safety Plan with the PHO, was to allow our players to have a season, but we want to make sure it is under the safest conditions possible.”

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“Should the season start be delayed past Dec. 8, the players that choose to go home for the holidays will be required to adhere to travel guidelines, including going into isolation for 14 days prior to joining their team,” said league Executive Director Steven Cocker.

A revised regular-season schedule will be released in the coming weeks for a Dec. 8 start.

The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League has also paused its regular season until Dec. 8th as well

The league said other Phase 3 activities, including team practices, may proceed as long as they adhere to all aspects of the KIJHL’s Return to Play policies.