For the sixth year in a row, the BCHL has set a new record for players committing to NCAA or Canadian university programs.
The league’s total for the 2019-20 campaign is 172, surpassing last season’s mark of 169. With 166 players committing to NCAA Div 1 programs, the BCHL eclipsed its previous mark of 151.
“The BCHL prides itself on moving players up to the NCAA ranks,” said BCHL Executive Director Steven Cocker. “Our alumni aren’t just surviving, but thriving in college, as leaders and captains of their respective schools.
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“Whether it’s seeing former BCHL players in the NHL, or moving on to become CEOs, lawyers or doctors, we are incredibly proud to call them our alumni. We are thrilled to hit this milestone, however, there is more to come.”
The BCHL has seen a steady rise in college-committed players since the early 2000s. In 2003-04, the league had 71 player commitments, but by the 2008-09 season, the number had grown to 111 and has been climbing ever since.
The Chilliwack Chiefs alone are sending 18 players from this year’s roster on to NCAA Div 1 opportunities:
Trevor Adams – Union College
Jack Agnew – Boston College
Ethan Bowen – North Dakota
Mathieu Caron – Brown
Nicholas Cherkowski – Merrimack
Brody Gagno – Quinnipiac
Xavier Henry – Maine
Nathan Kelly – Union
Joey Larson – Northern Michigan
Tommy Lyons – Harvard
Arlo Merritt – Ohio State
Cooper Moore – North Dakota
Nikita Nesterenko – Boston College
Kyle Penney – Cornell
Peter Reynolds – Boston College
Brett Rylance – Northern Michigan
Hudson Thornton – Minnesota-Duluth
Brett Willits – Northern Michigan
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