The British Columbia Hockey League announced last week that the Chilliwack Chiefs and Prospera Centre will once again be host team and venue for the fourth annual Bauer BCHL Showcase.
The event is scheduled for Sept. 24 to 27 and kicks off the BCHL season. An extra day has been added to this year’s Showcase in order to allow all games to be played on Prospera Centre’s main ice surface.
“Chilliwack has been a gracious host and has provided a beautiful venue in Prospera Centre for the Bauer BCHL Showcase since its inception in 2012,” said BCHL commissioner John Grisdale.
“Our teams and players get optimum exposure to scouts from the college and professional ranks and the opportunities gained as a result speak for themselves.”
Since the first Showcase was held, the BCHL has had 12 players selected in the NHL Entry Draft with another five projected to be drafted this June. Over the last three seasons, the league has also averaged 132 players with college commitments, 114 of those to the NCAA Division I level.
The ability of scouts to evaluate players will only be enhanced this coming September as Prospera’s main sheet of ice will be used exclusively, which will also improve the fan experience at the Showcase.
“The Chilliwack Chiefs and Prospera Centre are proud to again welcome the university and professional hockey scouts of North America as well as Junior hockey fans from across the BCHL,” said Chiefs president Glen Ringdal.
At last year’s Showcase on Sept. 20-21, the Trail Smoke Eaters opened with two victories over Coquitlam Express 8-3 and Powell River Kings 4-3 in overtime.
All the matchups for the 2015 Bauer BCHL Showcase will be released after the conclusion of the league annual general meeting June 4 to 6 in Vancouver.
