BCHL postpones start of hockey season until February

The British Columbia Hockey League has been forced to postpone the hockey season.

The BCHL made the announcement earlier today, Jan. 8, after the provincial health officer extended current restrictions around team sports until Feb. 5 yesterday.

The league is pushing the start of its regular season to the week of Feb. 8.

“Although it is frustrating to have to delay our season start once again, we are in no way, shape or form throwing in the towel on the 2020-21 season,” BCHL commissioner Chris Hebb said in a media.

“We understand why the order was extended and we will continue to work with the provincial health officer on scenarios to start a season in a safe manner.”

Teams will remain under Phase 2 protocols which allow for individual on-ice skills and drills.

The league had been exploring non-traditional ways to have a season prior to the current postponement, including a ‘hub concept’ in Penticton, but BCHL content services coordinator Jesse Adamson said the plans were very preliminary and would have to be approved by a number of agencies.

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