2023–24 BCHL season
{{Infobox sports season
| title = 2023–24 BCHL season
| color = #FFFFFF; border-top:#007AC2 5px solid; border-bottom:#FEB942 5px solid;
| color_text =
| league = BCHL
| sport = Hockey
| duration = Regular season
22 September – 31 March
Post-season
5 April – 26 May
Rocky Mountain Challenge
31 May - 1 June
| season = Regular season
| season_champs = Surrey Eagles (BC)
Brooks Bandits (AB)
| playoffs = Post-season
| conf1 = BC
| conf1_champ = Surrey Eagles
| conf1_runner-up = Penticton Vees
| conf2 = AB
| conf2_champ = Brooks Bandits
| conf2_runner-up = Sherwood Park Crusaders
| finals = Rocky Mountain Challenge
| finals_champ = Brooks Bandits
| finals_runner-up = Surrey Eagles
| no_of_games = 54
| no_of_teams = 17 (BC)
5 (AB)
| seasonslist = List of BCHL seasons
| seasonslistnames = BCHL
| prevseason_link = 2022–23 BCHL season
| prevseason_year = 2022–23
| nextseason_link = 2024–25_BCHL_season
| nextseason_year = 2024–25
}}
The 2023–24 BCHL season was the 62nd season of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). The 17 teams from the Coastal and Interior Divisions played 54 scheduled games, including two games as part of the BCHL showcase, which were held in Seattle from October 22 to October 26 2023, in partnership with the NHL's Seattle Kraken.{{cite web |url=https://bchl.ca/bchl-and-seattle-kraken-to-host-2023-showcase-event-in-seattle |title=BCHL And Seattle Kraken To Host 2023 Event in Seattle |publisher=BCHL |accessdate=17 May 2023}} The 5 teams in the stand-alone Alberta Division, which was created mid-season, played between 65 and 69 season games.
League changes
The 2023–24 season was the BCHL's first season as an independent league, following its departure from Hockey Canada.{{cite web|url=https://bchl.ca/bchl-to-become-independent-league |title=BCHL To Become Independent League |accessdate= 17 May 2023 |publisher=BCHL}}
In an effort to limit the number of games decided by shootout, overtime was lengthened from five minutes to ten minutes. Games would still be decided by shootout if they remained tied after one period of 3-on-3 sudden victory overtime.{{cite web|url=https://bchl.ca/2023-bchl-annual-general-meeting-recap|title=BCHL Annual General Meeting Recap |publisher=BCHL |accessdate= 23 June 2023}}
Team rosters were required to have a minimum of three players under the age of 18. Previously, they required one player under the age of 18.{{cite web |title=BCHL announces roster rules and important dates for 2023-24 |url=https://bchl.ca/bchl-announces-roster-rules-and-important-dates-for-2023-24 |website=bchl.ca |publisher=British Columbia Hockey League |access-date=24 January 2024}}
Russian and Belarussian players were barred from the league.{{cite web |title=BCHL announces roster rules and important dates for 2023-24 |url=https://bchl.ca/bchl-announces-roster-rules-and-important-dates-for-2023-24 |website=bchl.ca |publisher=British Columbia Hockey League |access-date=24 January 2024}}
The Wenatchee Wild folded after its owners acquired the Western Hockey League's (WHL) Winnipeg Ice and moved it to Wenatchee.{{cite web|url=https://www.wenatcheewildhockey.com/news/wenatchee-wild-announce-move-to-western-hockey-league-ahead-of-2023-24-season/ |title= Wenatchee Wild Announce Move To Western Hockey League Ahead of 2023–24 Season |accessdate= 16 June 2023|publisher= Wenatchee Wild}}
On January 20, 2024, the league announced that five teams from the Alberta Junior Hockey League would join the BCHL in the 2024–25 season, namely, the Blackfalds Bulldogs, Brooks Bandits, Okotoks Oilers, Sherwood Park Crusaders, and Spruce Grove Saints.{{cite news |title=B.C. Hockey League releases schedule for 2024-25 season |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/10578202/bc-hockey-league-schedule-2024-25-season/ |access-date=22 September 2024 |work=Global News |publisher=Corus Entertainment |date=20 June 2024}} The league had planned to wait until the end of the season to make the announcement; however, rumours had already begun to circulate.{{cite web |title=BCHL agrees to terms with five Alberta-based teams |url=https://bchl.ca/bchl-agrees-to-terms-with-five-alberta-based-teams |website=bchl.ca |access-date=20 January 2024}}
The AJHL responded to the announcement by cancelling most of the five teams' remaining scheduled matches except those between each other. It was then decided that the five Alberta-based teams would play out the rest of the 2023–24 season as a stand-alone division under the aegis of the BCHL.{{cite web |title=BCHL announces finalized franchise agreements and integration with five Alberta-based teams |url=https://bchl.ca/bchl-announces-finalized-franchise-agreements-and-integration-with-five-alberta-based-teams |website=bchl.ca |publisher=British Columbia Hockey League |access-date=2 February 2024}}
For the post-season, the Okotoks Oilers and Spruce Grove Saints, respectively the 4th and 5th placed teams in the Alberta division, played a best-of-5 wildcard series, with the winner advancing to the Alberta division semi-finals along with the top-3 Alberta teams. The rankings for the Alberta division were determined by winning percentage including their regular season records from the AJHL. The semi-final and final rounds each consisted of a best-of-7 series. The Brooks Bandits defeated the Sherwood Park Crusaders in the final round 4 games to 1.{{cite web |title=BCHL announces Alberta playoff format and BC postseason refresher |url=https://bchl.ca/bchl-announces-alberta-playoff-format-and-bc-postseason-refresher |website=bchl.ca |publisher=British Columbia Hockey League |access-date=6 March 2024}}{{cite web |title=Brooks Bandits capture 2023-24 Alberta Cup |url=https://bchl.ca/brooks-bandits-capture-2023-24-alberta-cup |website=bchl.ca |publisher=British Columbia Hockey League |access-date=2 June 2024}}
The Surrey Eagles won the BCHL Fred Page Cup championship after defeating the Penticton Vees in 6 games. The Eagles and Brooks Bandits then met for a best-of-3 competition hosted by Brooks and branded as the Rocky Mountain Challenge. The Bandits swept the Eagles in 2 games.{{cite web |title=BCHL announces Alberta playoff format and BC postseason refresher |url=https://bchl.ca/bchl-announces-alberta-playoff-format-and-bc-postseason-refresher |website=bchl.ca |publisher=British Columbia Hockey League |access-date=6 March 2024}}{{cite web |title=BCHL announces Rocky Mountain Challenge Postseason Series |url=https://bchl.ca/bchl-announces-rocky-mountain-challenge-postseason-series |website=bchl.ca |publisher=British Columbia Hockey League |access-date=29 March 2024}}{{cite web |title=Brooks Bandits win 2024 Rocky Mountain Challenge |url=https://bchl.ca/brooks-bandits-win-2024-rocky-mountain-challenge |website=bchl.ca |publisher=British Columbia Hockey League |access-date=2 June 2024}}
Standings
Note: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, OTL = Overtime Losses, SOL = Shootout losses, Pts = Points
= British Columbia =
{{alternating rows table|class=wikitable sortable}}
|+ style="background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#007AC2 5px solid; border-bottom:#FEB942 5px solid|Coastal Division
|-
! width="170px"|TEAM NAMES
! width="30px"|GP
! width="30px"|W
! width="30px"|L
! width="30px"|OTL
! width="30px"|SOL
! width="30px"|Pts
|- align=right
|align=left| Surrey Eagles|| 54 || 48 || 8 || 2 || 0 || 90
|- align=right
|align=left| Chilliwack Chiefs|| 54 || 32 || 17 || 4 || 1 || 69
|- align=right
|align=left| Alberni Valley Bulldogs|| 54 || 33 || 20 || 1 || 0 || 67
|- align=right
|align=left| Victoria Grizzlies|| 54 || 29 || 22 || 1 || 2 || 61
|- align=right
|align=left| Nanaimo Clippers|| 54 || 27 || 23 || 3 || 1 || 58
|- align=right
|align=left| Coquitlam Express|| 54 || 21 || 29 || 1 || 3 || 46
|- align=right
|align=left| Langley Rivermen|| 54 || 19 || 28 || 7 || 0 || 45
|- align=right
|align=left| Cowichan Valley Capitals|| 54 || 16 || 34 || 3 || 1 || 36
|- align=right
|align=left| Powell River Kings|| 54 || 14 || 35 || 5 || 0 || 33
|-
{{end}}
{{alternating rows table|class=wikitable sortable}}
|+ style="background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#007AC2 5px solid; border-bottom:#FEB942 5px solid|Interior Division
|-
! width="170px"|TEAM NAMES
! width="30px"|GP
! width="30px"|W
! width="30px"|L
! width="30px"|OTL
! width="30px"|SOL
! width="30px"|Pts
|- align=right
|align=left| Penticton Vees|| 54 || 38 || 10 || 3 || 3 || 82
|- align=right
|align=left| West Kelowna Warriors || 54 || 33 || 10 || 11 || 0 || 77
|-align=right
|align=left| Salmon Arm Silverbacks || 54 || 34 || 17 || 0 || 3 || 71
|- align=right
|align=left| Vernon Vipers|| 54 || 33 || 19 || 20 || 0 || 68
|- align=right
|align=left| Trail Smoke Eaters || 54 || 28 || 20 || 6 || 0 || 62
|- align=right
|align=left| Merritt Centennials || 54 || 22 || 26 || 5 || 1 || 50
|- align=right
|align=left| Cranbrook Bucks || 54 || 20 || 31 || 3 || 0 || 43
|- align=right
|align=left| Prince George Spruce Kings || 54 || 16 || 35 || 3 || 0 || 35
|-
{{end}}
= Alberta =
{{alternating rows table|class=wikitable sortable}}
|+ style="background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#007AC2 5px solid; border-bottom:#FEB942 5px solid|Alberta Division
|-
! width="170px"|TEAM NAMES
! width="30px"|GP
! width="30px"|W
! width="30px"|L
! width="30px"|OTL
! width="30px"|SOL
! width="30px"|Pts
|- align=right
|align=left| Brooks Bandits || 65 || 58 || 6 || 1 || 0 || 117
|- align=right
|align=left| Sherwood Park Crusaders || 67 || 49 || 16 || 2 || 0 || 100
|- align=right
|align=left| Blackfalds Bulldogs || 68 || 39 || 22 || 6 || 1 || 85
|- align=right
|align=left| Okotoks Oilers || 69 || 38 || 28 || 3 || 0 || 79
|- align=right
|align=left| Spruce Grove Saints || 66 || 26 || 34 || 5 || 1 || 58
|- align=right
{{end}}
Alberta team standings are displayed separately from the rest of the BCHL on the [https://bchl.ca/stats/standings?standingstype=division&context=overall&specialteams=false&season=58&sortkey=points&league=1 league website.]
Post-season
= 2024 BCHL Fred Page Cup playoffs =
{{16TeamBracket
| seeds = no
| boldwinner = high
| RD1-team01 = Surrey
| RD1-score01 = 4
| RD1-team02 = Cowichan Valley
| RD1-score02 = 1
| RD1-team03 = Victoria
| RD1-score03 = 4
| RD1-team04 = Nanaimo
| RD1-score04 = 1
| RD1-team05 = Chilliwack
| RD1-score05 = 4
| RD1-team06 = Langley
| RD1-score06 = 0
| RD1-team07 = Alberni Valley
| RD1-score07 = 4
| RD1-team08 = Coquitlam
| RD1-score08 = 3
| RD1-team09 = Penticton
| RD1-score09 = 4
| RD1-team10 = Prince George
| RD1-score10 = 0
| RD1-team11 = Vernon
| RD1-score11 = 4
| RD1-team12 = Trail
| RD1-score12 = 1
| RD1-team13 = West Kelowna
| RD1-score13 = 4
| RD1-team14 = Cranbrook
| RD1-score14 = 3
| RD1-team15 = Salmon Arm
| RD1-score15 = 4
| RD1-team16 = Merritt
| RD1-score16 = 2
| RD2-team01 = Surrey
| RD2-score01 = 4
| RD2-team02 = Victoria
| RD2-score02 = 2
| RD2-team03 = Chilliwack
| RD2-score03 = 0
| RD2-team04 = Alberni Valley
| RD2-score04 = 4
| RD2-team05 = Penticton
| RD2-score05 = 4
| RD2-team06 = Vernon
| RD2-score06 = 1
| RD2-team07 = West Kelowna
| RD2-score07 = 1
| RD2-team08 = Salmon Arm
| RD2-score08 = 4
| RD3-team01 = Surrey
| RD3-score01 = 4
| RD3-team02 = Alberni Valley
| RD3-score02 = 3
| RD3-team03 = Penticton
| RD3-score03 = 4
| RD3-team04 = Salmon Arm
| RD3-score04 = 3
| RD4 = Fred Page Cup Final
| RD4-team01 = Surrey
| RD4-score01 = 4
| RD4-team02 = Penticton
| RD4-score02 = 2
}}
= Alberta Division =
{{5TeamBracket
| seeds = no
| boldwinner = high
| RD1= Wildcard (Bo5)
| RD2= Semifinals (Bo7)
| RD3= Final (Bo7)
| RD1-team1 = Okotoks
| RD1-score1 = 3
| RD1-team2 = Spruce Grove
| RD1-score2 = 0
| RD2-team1 = Brooks
| RD2-score1 = 4
| RD2-team2 = Okotoks
| RD2-score2 = 3
| RD2-team3 = Sherwood Park
| RD2-score3 = 4
| RD2-team4 = Blackfalds
| RD2-score4 = 0
| RD3-team1 = Brooks
| RD3-score1 = 4
| RD3-team2 = Sherwood Park
| RD3-score2 = 1
}}
= Rocky Mountain Challenge =
{{2TeamBracket
| seeds = no
| boldwinner = high
| RD1 = Best of 3
| RD1-team1 = Brooks
| RD1-score1 = 2
| RD1-team2 = Surrey
| RD1-score2 = 0
}}
Scoring leaders
GP = Games Played, G = Goals, A = Assists, P = Points, PIM = Penalties In Minutes
| cellpadding="0" |
| style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"
| | {| cellpadding="1" style="width:650px; font-size:90%; border:1px solid gray;" |
| style="background:#ddf; width:30%;"| Player
! style="background:#ddf; width:30%;"| Team ! style="background:#ddf; width:7.5%;"| GP ! style="background:#ddf; width:7.5%;"| G ! style="background:#ddf; width:7.5%;"| A ! style="background:#ddf; width:7.5%;"| Pts ! style="background:#ddf; width:7.5%;"| PIM |
|---|
| Caden Cranston
| 51 | 30 | 56 | 86 | 16 |
| Aaron Schwartz
| 51 | 34 | 47 | 81 | 10 |
| Felix Caron
| 54 | 31 | 38 | 69 | 54 |
| Mike Murtagh
| 53 | 27 | 36 | 63 | 51 |
| Nicholas Beneteau
| 54 | 17 | 46 | 63 | 36 |
| Michael Felsing
| 53 | 16 | 42 | 58 | 32 |
| Hayden Stavroff
| 46 | 35 | 20 | 55 | 82 |
| Luke Buss
| 52 | 29 | 26 | 55 | 20 |
| Anthony Yu
| 53 | 18 | 37 | 55 | 16 |
| Callum Arnott
| 53 | 18 | 37 | 53 | 8 |
|}
Leading goaltenders
Note: GP = Games Played, Mins = Minutes Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, OTL = Overtime Losses, GA = Goals Against, SO = Shutouts, Sv% = Save Percentage, GAA = Goals Against Average.
| cellpadding="0" |
| style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"
| | {| cellpadding="1" style="width:650px; font-size:90%; border:1px solid gray;" |
| style="background:#ddf; "| Player
! style="background:#ddf; "| Team ! style="background:#ddf; width:5%;"| GP ! style="background:#ddf; width:7%;"| Mins ! style="background:#ddf; width:5%;"| W ! style="background:#ddf; width:5%;"| L ! style="background:#ddf; width:5%;"| OTL ! style="background:#ddf; width:5%;"| GA ! style="background:#ddf; width:5%;"| SO ! style="background:#ddf; width:7%;"| Sv% ! style="background:#ddf; width:5%;"| GAA |
|---|
| Will Ingemann
| 32 | 1817 | 22 | 6 | 1 | 56 | 6 | .919 | 1.85 |
| Ajeet Gundarah
| 33 | 1904 | 25 | 6 | 1 | 68 | 2 | .931 | 2.14 |
| Andrew Ness
| 25 | 1419 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 52 | 2 | .915 | '2.20 |
| Eli Pulver
| 38 | 2320 | 23 | 13 | 0 | 89 | 3 | .915 | 2.20 |
| Rorke Applebee
| 41 | 2396 | 24 | 6 | 8 | 105 | 3 | .902 | 2.30 |
|}
Award winners
- Brett Hull Trophy (Top Scorer): Caden Cranston (Surrey Eagles)
- Campbell Blair Trophy (Top Defencemen): Isaiah Norlin (West Kelowna Warriors)
- Bruce Allison Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year): Chase Pirtle (Victoria Grizzlies)
- Bob Fenton Trophy (Most Sportsmanlike): Josh Nadeau (Penticton Vees)
- Michael Garteig Trophy (Top Goaltender): Ajeet Gundarah (Surrey Eagles)
- Wally Forslund Memorial Trophy (Best Goaltending Duo): Will Ingemann & Andrew Ness (Penticton Vees)
- Vern Dye Memorial Trophy (regular-season MVP): Caden Cranston (Surrey Eagles)
- Jeff Tambellini Trophy (Playoff MVP): Micah Berger (Surrey Eagles)
- Joe Tennant Memorial Trophy (Coach of the Year): Cam Keith (Surrey Eagles)
- Ron Boileau Memorial Trophy (Best Regular Season Record): Surrey Eagles
- Cliff McNabb Memorial Trophy (Coastal Conference champions): Surrey Eagles
- Ryan Hatfield Trophy (Interior Conference champions): Penticton Vees
- Fred Page Cup (League Champions): Surrey Eagles
- Alberta Division Champions: Brooks Bandits
- Rocky Mountain Challenge Champions: Brooks Bandits
- Jim Hughson Award (Broadcaster of the Year): Dan Marshall (Nanaimo Clippers)
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://bchl.ca Official Website of the British Columbia Hockey League]
- [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/ottawa-senators/latest-news/ottawa-senators-goalie-prospect-scores-a-goal/ "Ottawa Senators Goalie Prospect Scores a Goal".] thehockeynews.com. The Hockey News. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
{{BCHL|state=expanded}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:2023-24 BCHL season}}