Hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic that forced the cancellation of the 2020 playoffs and spring camps, both vital revenue-generators, and uncertainty about ticket revenue and sponsorships for next season, the B.C. Hockey League has asked the provincial government for financial assistance to offset its losses.

B次元官网网址淲e have every intention of playing hockey next season, with all 18 of our teams, if we get the green light from Hockey Canada as well as the provincial health authorities,B次元官网网址� BCHL commissioner Chris Hebb said. B次元官网网址淏ut, the reality is weB次元官网网址檝e identified potential financial issues down the road due to this pandemic and want to address these problems now.

B次元官网网址淭he league has already lent its support to our teams through a contingency fund, but itB次元官网网址檚 clear that more is needed.B次元官网网址�

According to Hebb, the league sent a letter to Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Lisa Beare on Saturday, April 18, explaining what the league is and the effects the pandemic has had. They are hoping for a response by the end of this week.

B次元官网网址淲e had couple of former politicians that we knew guide us through this,B次元官网网址� Hebb noted on Wednesday afternoon. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not the business weB次元官网网址檙e in; weB次元官网网址檙e not lobbyists.B次元官网网址�

The BCHL cut the 2020 playoffs short after the first round, when Hockey Canada shut down all sanctioned events indefinitely.

Hebb has expressed concerns recently that the league could lose teams as a result of the pandemic. He acknowledged on Wednesday that some of the clubs may be in dire financial straits, although none have said they wonB次元官网网址檛 be back for a 2020-21 season.

B次元官网网址淲e have had no teams indicate they wonB次元官网网址檛 be playing,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址渂ut itB次元官网网址檚 a difficult prospect for teams to be without revenue.B次元官网网址�

The BCHL is a gate-driven league, with the bulk of funds coming from ticket sales.

B次元官网网址淏oth of those are about having people in the seats,B次元官网网址� Hebb commented. B次元官网网址淎t the end of the day, sponsors want people in seats, and ticket sales is our bread and butter.B次元官网网址�

Even major junior hockey, Hebb pointed out, does get some money from broadcasting deals, but the BCHL doesnB次元官网网址檛 have that luxury.

Among sports leagues in the province, the BCHL unique in a number of respects, Hebb said.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e nearly 59 years old,B次元官网网址� he pointed out. B次元官网网址淣ot many leagues have been around that long and have meant so much to so many.B次元官网网址�

The league announced last October that it was expanding into the East Kootenays with the Cranbrook Bucks franchise, and Hebb said he is no more concerned about that club than he is about the other 17. Sponsors are B次元官网网址渟itting on the sidelinesB次元官网网址� throughout the league as they wait to see what is going to happen next.

B次元官网网址淲e know weB次元官网网址檙e going to take a hit on sponsorship revenue. ItB次元官网网址檚 the same in Cranbrook as in every one of our markets.B次元官网网址�

The BCHL has several plans in place for if and when they get the go-ahead for a 2020-21 season, including their original schedule of 54 games, as well as backup plans for 50 and 46 games. The owners, he said, want the season to proceed, as do the players.

B次元官网网址淜ids are relying on us as a place to play, and we want to provide it,B次元官网网址� Hebb said, pointing out that the league had a record 172 players commit to U.S. Div. 1 or Div. 3 programs or Canadian university teams, a number that has increased each of the last six years. That represents about $3 million in scholarships.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not only a boon to the community,B次元官网网址� Hebb said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a boon to the kids.B次元官网网址�

There are 10 junior A leagues in Canada, but the BCHL produces about 60 per cent of scholarship players, the commissioner said.

B次元官网网址淲e have something special in B.C. ItB次元官网网址檚 not run-of-the-mill junior A. ItB次元官网网址檚 something that helps kids develop and go to school.

B次元官网网址淲e hope fans realize we are going to turn over every stone to make sure teams are viable. Remember, these teams are really important to their communities.B次元官网网址�

In pursuing funding from the provincial government, the BCHL has gathered letters of support from the mayors of their markets in B.C., as well as the District of Kitimat where the league held its first-ever BCHL Road Show in February.