The British Columbia Hockey League has been Canada’s leader at the Junior A level when it comes to sending players to NCAA programs over the last several years. This 2024-2025 season will likely mark the last season the BCHL will have so many NCAA committed players within the league.
With the NCAA rule changes allowing for players from the three Major Junior leagues in Canada to participate in NCAA hockey beginning in the 2025-2026 season, Junior A in Canada will no longer be the path that players will chose to chase those dreams.
With the KIJHL and PJHL now laying claim to the invention of “Tier 1 and Tier 2 Junior A”, the BCHL is said to be pooping their pants about the competition.
One source within the BCHL had this to say;
“Look, we made up the whole Tier 1 thing, and BC Hockey didnt want to give in to us, so we left. Now they think they can take our idea and use it against us? If they think we are just going to sit and take more of that garbage from them when we no longer work with them, they are crazy.”
Several sources are now saying a plan is being created to potentially “rebrand” the BCHL to combat any misperceptions made by players and parents concerning the BCHL vs the KIJHL or PJHL.
Another source within the BCHL gave a list of the following terms and phrases under consideration for use by the BCHL in its description. Ditching the “Junior A” label in exchange for…..
BCHL – Super, BCHL Crown Jewel, BCHL 1 AAA, BCHL 1 AAA Presidential, BCHL Creme De Le Creme, or our personal favorite BCHL Super Extra Class.
When it comes to naming, and labeling, its a fine point to distinguish yourself from the other leagues out there.
Labels said to have been rejected were….
BCHL Premier, BCHL Elite, for obvious confusion with the USPHL Premier and Elite, though some teams in the BCHL will still maintain that pay to play model. One source in the USPHL did confirm that the BCHL would be welcome to join those divisions.
In the crazy world of Junior Hockey, made crazier in Western Canada, its all about name an brand recognition. Lets hope the BCHL decides to continue forward with Super Extra Class Junior A Hockey next season. Surely that will put an end to the “Tier 1 Junior A” discussion.
