BCHL adds 18th team

Oct 8, 2019 | 10:41 AM

The B.C. Hockey League will be growing next season.

The league has approved an expansion franchise to Cranbrook to begin play in the 2020-21 season.

The Cranbook Bucks will play out of Western Financial Place, former home of the Kootenay Ice of the WHL, a franchise which moved to Winnipeg this year.

“We are pleased to add Cranbrook as the 18th member of the B.C. Hockey League,” BCHL Commissioner Chris Hebb said. “The city already has a rich hockey history and we are excited to see them add to that legacy and bring BCHL hockey to another great community in our province.”

The Bucks are led by majority owner and President Nathan Lieuwen.

First-Degree Murder

Pair charged in 2016 West Kelowna murder

4h ago

Emegrency Preparedness

Workshop to help prepare older adults ahead of summer heat, fire season

6h ago

Reality Check - Life Without a Home

Pair of Vernonities to spend days on the street to raise homelessness awareness, outreach funds

Apr 19, 2026

Lieuwen is a former pro goaltender, playing five seasons in the AHL and ECHL and also suiting up for seven NHL games with the Buffalo Sabres in the 2013-14 season. He also had a brief stint in the BCHL as a member of the Westside Warriors in 2007-08 where he played 11 games.

“We are extremely excited to bring a BCHL franchise to Cranbrook and the East Kootenay,” Lieuwen said. “The Cranbrook Bucks Hockey Club looks forward to being a proud member of the Cranbrook community and surrounding areas for many years to come. We are grateful for all parties involved in bringing the BCHL to Cranbrook and we can’t wait for the puck to drop for the 2020-21 season.”

Former NHL defenceman, and Hockey Hall of Famer Scott Niedermayer, who is from Cranbrook, is a minority owner of the team.

CFJC Today in Kamloops reports the new team will pay an expansion franchise fee of $1.2 million.

The mayor of Cranbrook is excited to bring a BCHL team to the city.

“Having a BCHL franchise showcasing an exciting brand of hockey will be a great addition to the economic well-being of the City,” Lee Pratt, Mayor of the City of Cranbrook, said. “Nathan and his group, along with city staff have worked closely together these last few months to bring this great entertainment to the citizens at an affordable price. We welcome the Bucks to Cranbrook and look forward to many years of exciting hockey.”

The new team creates the need for a realignment of the current BCHL divisions which will be announced at a later date.

For more information on the Bucks, you can visit their website here.

by Pete McIntyre

View Comments