BCHL League Meetings Wrap Up Over Weekend:

The BCHL's Annual League meeting's wrapped up over this past weekend in Surrey. For more info and interview's check out Brian Wiebe's Merritt Cenntenials Blog, http://merrittcentennials.blogspot.com/ & Ron Gallo's Prince George Spruce Kings Blog, http://sprucekingscrusader.blogspot.com/ Of course both broadcaster's can only reveal so much, but what we do know is the League has decided to go back to the old schedule format from 2007-2008. This meaning all Coastal & Island teams will visit the Interior Division once and the Interior teams will visit the Coast & Island also once. Fan's will get a chance at now seeing all BCHL teams, where as last year only a select few teams made the trip between the two Conferences.

I for one have always liked this schedule format and am thrilled to be able to catch all Coast-Island teams. It would be nice to be able to see these teams more then once, but with travel, gas, hotel, meals etc the cost adds up quickly. Sounds like the League schedule will be announced early this week. We do know that the League will start up its regular season on September 11th 2009. I for one hope the League goes away from the four games in a row vs one team, like what we saw last year between Vernon & Salmon Arm. With the Vipers schedule, Vernon & Salmon Arm fans watched both Okanagan rivals battle one another four straight games in and around the Christmas break. Dont get me wrong, I love the home and home series but wasnt a big fan of the four straight meetings with just one team. I would also like to see more of a spread within Division teams. Prince George made all its trips up to Vernon before Christmas, and one of the Vipers biggest rivals the Westside Warriors made just one trip in the second half of the season. Id like to see the schedule more spread out evenly is what Im trying to say. It will be interesting to see what the Vipers schedule look's like. Once the League post's the schedule, I will post the BCHL & Vipers schedule on my blog.

It also looks like at least one rule change is imminent as it starts to filter down from the NHL through the semi-pro and into the amateur leagues. This particular rule change would see a team on the power play given the added advantage of starting the odd man situation in the offensive zone.