Changes to BCHL Showcase

Photo: BCHL

The BC Hockey League has made some changes to its annual Showcase event in an effort to increase its profile moving forward.

The annual four-day event will now take place over two venues, Chilliwack and Penticton.

A BC Hockey festival will be held in Penticton, which will include fan interaction areas to celebrate the game, while a partnership with BC Hockey will try to increase the reach of the event to include participation of minor hockey  programs from across B.C.

The newly named BCHL Showcase Festival presented by Bauer, will run from Oct. 2 to 5. The event will kickoff in Chilliwack with mostly Island and Mainland division teams competing Oct. 2 and 3 before shifting to the SOEC in Penticton, where Interior Division teams, as well as Prince George and Coquitlam will compete Oct. 4 and 5.

“Our Showcase has grown in stature since its inception in 2012 thanks to the great work done in Chilliwack and we feel the time is right to add another few layers to the proceedings,” said BCHL commissioner Chris Hebb.

“From now on, the Showcase is going to be a marquee event to signify the beginning of the hockey season in our province.”

BC Hockey CEO Barry Petrachenko says he's excited about their role in the event.

“October is a perfect time frame to celebrate our game and to capture the excitement that is generated by the start of a new season," he said.

The schedule in Penticton includes the Vees facing Vernon and Wenatchee Friday and Saturday evening at 7 p.m.

The Warriors will take on Prince George Friday morning at 10 a.m. and Vernon Saturday afternoon a 4.