The 2017/18 season marks the 56th year of the B.C. Junior Hockey League and the regular season schedule will be released by the end of this month. The BCHL held its annual general meeting last week in Richmond and with it comes news the league is helping clubs pursue upgrades to their broadcast systems to get high-definition video for pay-per-view customers on HockeyTV.
Several BCHL teams had HD in place last season and good news for Cowichan Valley Capitals fans, the goal is to have all arenas with upgraded cameras for 2017/18.
Health, both physical and mental, was on the AGM agenda. The BCHL renewed its commitment to an existing partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association’s B.C. branch and the Talk Today Program. Through that program, each team has a CMHA liaison who provides referrals to mental health and addictions support should they be needed.
The BCHL has also committed to ensuring each of its players undergo baseline concussion tests prior to participating in any league games.
The initial testing will be completed at the 2017 Bauer BCHL Showcase and when new players join the league, they will be tested prior to lacing up for their first games.
The partnership is part of the BCHL’s ongoing efforts to ensure player safety.