WEST KELOWNA, B.C. – The BC Hockey League (BCHL) announced its schedule today for the 2020-21 season, which includes 20 games per team for a total of 160 league games. The West Kelowna Warriors will open their 20 game regular season Saturday April, 3rd versus the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
“We are excited to continue a storied rivalry with the Silverbacks and the Vipers,” said Warriors Head Coach Simon Ferguson. “Our players have been working very hard over the past 5 months; a handful of them will be making their BCHL debuts opening weekend”.
All games will be broadcast on BCHL.TV with a paid subscription or listen for free on the BCHL Warriors Mixlr Feed. Just a reminder that no fans will be allowed inside Kal Tire Place in Vernon.
The five-week season will commence on Friday, Apr. 2 and will run until Sunday, May 9. The 16 teams participating in the season have each been assigned one of five pod locations where they will play the other members of that pod for the duration of the year. The league announced last week that the pods will take place in Port Alberni, Chilliwack, Coquitlam (Burnaby), Penticton and Vernon.
“It has been a long road, but we’re thrilled to finally announce our season schedule,” said BCHL Executive Director Steven Cocker. “Our coaches and players have spent the past seven months focusing on on-ice and off-ice development and now we are able to provide them with a chance to play meaningful games to give them the NHL and NCAA exposure they deserve.”
BCHL teams are currently undergoing a quarantine period before they will be tested for COVID-19. Upon receiving a negative test result, players will be free to join their teammates in practice to prepare for the season.
Highlights of the season schedule include:
- A five-game slate on opening night (Apr. 2).
- The Warriors open their regular season Saturday April. 3rd versus the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
- The 2019-20 regular-season champion Coquitlam Express debut against the Surrey Eagles on Apr. 2.
- Last year’s Interior Division champions the Penticton Vees start their season opening night against the Trail Smoke Eaters.
- The reigning Island Division champion Nanaimo Clippers open their season against their rival Victoria Grizzlies on Apr. 3.
- The most recent Fred Page Cup champions the Prince George Spruce Kings make their season debut against the Chilliwack Chiefs on Apr. 3
- Once the season begins on Apr. 2, 36 of the following 38 days will have BCHL hockey.
Click here to view the full schedule.
