The Cowichan Valley Capitals will have a new opponent for the 2015/16 B.C. Hockey League season after the league announced last month that the Wenatchee Wild will become the 17th team on the circuit.
The Wild will become the BCHL’s first Washington-based team since 1995, when the Bellingham Ice Hawks became the Trail Smoke Eaters.
"The BCHL is gaining a strong franchise in the Wenatchee Wild and we value the passion and professionalism they bring to our league," said BCHL commissioner John Grisdale. "The Wild will quickly develop rivalries with our existing franchises and I believe they will be a big draw in opposing buildings."
The Wild have played in the North
American Hockey League since 2008. They have posted a winning record in every season, and average around 3,000 fans for home games. Travel will be significantly reduced for the team, which played in a division with squads from Kansas and Texas last season.
"We could not be more excited or humbled to be joining the BCHL," Wild head coach Bliss Littler said. "Knowing the history and reputation of the league, be it sending players to play NCAA Division I hockey, NHL draft picks or the professionalism of the member teams and league have, we look forward to being a good league member on and off the ice."
As a U.S.-based club, the Wild will be allowed to roster a maximum of four Canadian players. The BCHL has not announced which division the Wild will play in.
