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Hockey season! Here we go!
It has been a wild ride, these past few years, for all of us. Busy! A lot of it feels like a blur. I have accepted that our busy lives don’t often leave much time for reflection, but if you can take a few minutes to reflect, take a deep breath as we get ready for the 2023-24 season of hockey, you should. I did, and what came to mind surprised me. My mind didn’t dwell at all on any of the difficulties for some reason. While it’s true that we’ve been through a lot recently, and that it has been challenging, my thoughts went right to the happiest hours. Especially being in the arenas. Smiles in the dressing rooms. Those coffee-chats in the stands or standing down in the corner, watching a game.
I am not in the rinks as much as I have been in the past (nor as much as most of you reading this), but I was able to take in some tournaments, and pop in on some championship weekends. I can’t count on all my fingers and toes the great moments! Loud, busy rinks, full of players, parents, and volunteers. The way it should be. I can also report that I am broke from entering every 50/50 draw I saw, and that some of the coffee was dreadful, but I would not only do it all again, I know that I will. Just like everyone reading this.
We have had an amazing and productive summer. Our Annual Congress and AGM in June was a terrific time for all of us to connect in Penticton under the 2023 banner of Be The Change in Hockey. The seminars were excellent, the stories and laughs flowed, and we elected three new Directors to our Board. I am certain that those of you who attended were as awed and inspired as I was by the keynote presentation by Corey Hirsch.
Okay, so now the new season looms, and we turn our minds toward what we need to do more of, or next, or better, to serve our members and our 60,000 participants. We know that families put their trust in BC Hockey and Hockey Canada to help them navigate the ever-changing hockey environment. In 2023, that means much more than just opening the gate and hearing skates on ice. It also means accelerating positive change, keeping our game safe, unlocking opportunities to grow, and just downright enjoying our game. It means engaging with each other in ways that are consistent with our values. Most of all though, it means (as Past Chair of the Board Bill Greene once said) getting to the business of putting smiles on sweaty heads!
See you at the rink,
Cameron Hope
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Are you Ready for the Season? | |
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Just like that, September is here and the hockey season is on its way. Whether you're behind the bench as a coach, or taking the ice as an official, everyone has certain qualifications that they need to obtain.
Bench Staff: All bench staff have until December 1, 2023 to be caught up with their certifications, so make sure you tackle them ahead of time. Not sure what you need? Click the button below for all the answers.
Officials: New officials need to complete certification for the 2023-24 season before they're eligible to hit the ice. Click the buttons below for information.
*If you are a returning official from the 2022-23 season, you're clear to officiate under that certification until its expiration date of December 31, 2023.
If you have any questions related to any of our BC Hockey clinics, reach out to clinics@bchockey.net
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National Events on the Horizon | |
Photo Credits: Paul McLeod | It's an exciting time for women's hockey as B.C. will play host to a pair of national events this season. The National Women's Under-18 Championship makes its way to Dawson Creek in November, while Vernon hosts the 2024 Esso Cup in April. | |
2023 National Women's Under-18 Championship | |
Dawson Creek will welcome the top female players in the country when the 2023 National Women's Under-18 Championship rolls into town at the Ovintiv Events Centre from November 5-11, 2023.
Catch all the action and click below to grab your tickets as Team BC goes for gold on home soil!
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The road to a national championship for Canada's top Female AAA programs will end at Vernon's Kal Tire Place.
Hosted by the BCEHL's Thompson-Okanagan Lakers, teams from across the country will battle it out from April 21-27, 2024 to see who will hoist the 2024 Esso Cup and be crowned national champions!
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Celebrating Girls' Hockey! | |
Get involved this fall by promoting girls' hockey in your community. Introduce the game in a fun and welcoming way by hosting an Esso Fun Day, or join in on the worldwide celebration of girls' hockey and apply to host an event as part of World Girls' Ice Hockey Weekend. | |
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Applications are OPEN for local associations to host an Esso Fun Day in their community during the 2023-24 season. The goal of these events is to introduce beginners to the game of hockey in a fun, positive and welcoming environment at NO COST!
There are nearly 100 programs hosted and over 1,800 players introduced to the game each year.
Join in on the fun by hosting an Esso Fun Day in your community or register for an existing Esso Fun Day by clicking below!
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World Girls' Ice Hockey Weekend | |
The IIHF's World Girls' Ice Hockey Weekend makes its return on October 7-8, 2023!
The weekend is aimed to have events that recruit, retain and engage players, coaches, officials and fans through grassroots programming led by girls hockey associations, minor hockey associations and communities.
Want to get involved? Click below and make sure to get your applications in before the September 18, 2023 deadline.
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Say hello to BC Hockey's newest Board members!
At BC Hockey's 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM), which took place at the Penticton Lakeside Resort in June, three new members were elected to the BC Hockey Board of Directors. We are excited to welcome Mark Burgin, Jaci Edgeworth and Brad Klock onboard. They will be valuable assets to BC Hockey.
Click the button below to get to know a little bit more about Mark, Jaci and Brad as we welcome them to the BC Hockey family.
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Change is here in Junior Hockey! | |
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In July, BC Hockey announced a new pathway for Junior A hockey in British Columbia, a change that will take place this upcoming season. The shift will see teams in the Kootenay International Junior League (KIJHL), Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) and the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) commit to elevated standards in various areas, as part of reclassification to Junior A.
Check out what else is in store for junior hockey in B.C. by clicking below.
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Victoria to host Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada | |
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BC Hockey is excited for Hockey Day in Canada! Here is some info from the host committee!
Greater Victoria steps into the national spotlight this January as the region plays host to Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada on Sportsnet from January 16-20, 2024. Family friendly celebrations are planned for Victoria’s iconic Inner Harbour, including an outdoor skating rink, hockey clinics for kids and a festival at Ship Point.
“This is a region that loves hockey, and this event gives us a chance to showcase our deep connection to the sport while showing off our spectacular hometown,” Victoria Hockey Legacy Society Chair John Wilson said. “We gratefully acknowledge that we are on the traditional truly spectacular territory of Lekwungen speaking peoples — the Songhees Nation and Esquimalt Nation — and let all Canadians know that Victoria is a welcoming place to visit any time of year.”
The Victoria Hockey Legacy Society has partnered with Sportsnet, Scotiabank, the City of Victoria, the Province of B.C. and Destination Greater Victoria to bring this multi-day event to Vancouver Island. Highlights include an NHL Alumni Game, opportunities to see the Stanley Cup and more, culminating with a full day of NHL broadcasts hosted from the Inner Harbour by Sportsnet’s Ron MacLean.
BC Hockey, local minor hockey associations and the WHL's Victoria Royals will play an important role in the event. There will be multiple clinics run to showcase our local kids and provide them a unique experience. One of the legacies of the event will be a state-of-the-art artificial rink by CAN-ICE that will be usable by skaters for years to come. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Courtnall Society for Mental Health.
For more information, click below and make sure to follow #HockeyDayinCanadaVictoria on social media.
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Taking Home Some Hardware | |
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It was an awesome night of celebration at the 2023 BC Hockey Awards Gala in June! Awards were handed out to members of the BC Hockey community who've made significant contributions across all areas of the game.
A huge congratulations to everyone who took home an award and thank you for everything that you all do for hockey in B.C. and Yukon.
The 2023 BC Hockey Award winners were:
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BC Hockey Life Member: Bonnie Cameron, Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey Association (PCAHA)
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BC Hockey Life Member: June McKenzie, Greater Trail Minor Hockey Association
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Diamond Stick Award: Don Freer, Victoria, B.C.
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Chair of the Board Award: Larry Krause, Chilliwack, B.C.
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Life Members' Executive Award: Roy Sakaki, Salmon Arm Minor Hockey Association
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Ernie Gare Award - BC Hockey Coach of the Year: Blaine Markwart, Kitimat Minor Hockey Association
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Program of Excellence Award: Kris Hogg, Female U18 Team BC
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BC Hockey Official of the Year: Graedy Hamilton, Cowichan Valley Minor Hockey Association
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BC Hockey Safety Award: Michael Liu, Greater Vancouver Comets
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Development Award - Coaching: Kurt Corman, Kelowna, B.C.
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Mike Landucci Development Award - Officiating: Galen Brewer, Juan de Fuca Minor Hockey Association
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Frank Spring Award - Minor Hockey Association of the Year: Capital Region Female Minor Hockey Association
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Indigenous Impact and Legacy Award: Vancouver Female Ice Hockey Association
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Hockey Canada Officiating Award - Most Deserving: Roy Kozuki, Williams Lake Minor Hockey Association
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Hockey Canada Officiating Award - Most Improved: Dana Edamura, Vancouver Female Ice Hockey Association
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Hockey Canada Officiating Award - Most Promising: Erika Denis, Kamloops Minor Hockey Association
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2023 Fred Heslop Minor Hockey Week Awards: Brendon Caron, Greater Vernon Minor Hockey Association; Mike Forward, Kitimat Minor Hockey Association; Doug Geiger, Lumby Minor Hockey Association; Sunny Khakh, Burnaby Winter Club; Theresa Philips, Vanderhoof Minor Hockey Association
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Hockey Canada Introduces EDI Path Forward | Hockey Canada has published its first Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Path Forward, which includes a Commitment to Action statement that summarizes the organization's ongoing to drive long-term, sustainable change within the hockey ecosystem in Canada. | |
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With the season underway, there is lots going on surrounding BC Hockey. Check out some additional Quick Hits below:
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Wilson's Transportation
Wilson’s Transportation Ltd is a proud partner of the BCEHL. Wilson’s Transportation Ltd is a locally-owned and operated charter bus company serving Victoria and Vancouver Island. In operation since 1962, we are a trusted provider known for our exceptional service, transporting groups large and small from one destination to another – safely and on time.
For more information, visit their website!
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BC HOCKEY
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