Western Canada has been the epicenter for turmoil in Tier II or Junior A hockey for the last two years. From departing Hockey Canada, to AJHL teams defecting. And this is just the beginning.
With the AJHL set to expand by one team, TJHN has learned that the BCHL is also set to expand with multiple new ownership applications pending. How many are going to get approved is anyones guess. The expansion franchise fee exceeds one million Canadian dollars according to one source involved with an expansion application.
Many are questioning if the BCHL will continue to see more teams exit the league for the new Junior A league being formed by BC Hockey. Multiple sources are informing TJHN that multiple teams have had discussions with Hockey Canada about returning.
What will that return look like though? The very big question pending in Western Canada concerns the new “Tier 1” Junior A league that is set to be formed some time after the conclusion of the KIJHL, VIJHL and PIJHL playoffs. Who exactly is going to make the cut to form this new “Tier 1” league? What are the qualifications to become a part of this league?
BC Hockey has been less than transparent in discussing the criteria being used to determine which teams will be allowed into this new level. That transparency is a problem for fans, and players. The delay, in making these determinations and lack of information on criteria, means that players are in the dark concerning the important decisions they need to make heading into tryout season.
Questions remain on whether or not this new league will become a CJHL member and be able to compete for a National Championship as well. Again, effecting players and parents ability to make determinations on where to try out and which teams to seriously consider or not.
Once rumor in Western Canada has one league aligning with the BCHL to become its development league as they are likely to miss the cut for Tier 1 status. If this is the case, BC Hockey and Hockey Canada have once again given the BCHL another tool to become successful.
The BCHL has been silent regarding expansion, and the possibility of a development league addition. It is as though the BCHL has taken the Napolean approach – “Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.”
The positioning of BC Hockey, and the lack of transparency is remiscent of the Central States Hockey League morphing into the NA3HL to become the theorhetical development league for the NAHL. While it would be great for the BCHL, it would likely not be so great for the players in this development league.
And while all this is happening in Western Canada, dont forget to keep your eyes on Eastern Canada and the Province of Ontario. As playoff wind down, league champions are crowned and teams look forward to National Championships, change is coming.
