Overtime format change highlights news from BCIHL Annual General Meetings

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The B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League held its Annual General Meeting at Trinity Western University in Langley, BC from May 11-12, 2016.

The meetings led to a number of notable changes and announcements with the most relevent to BCIHL fans being a switch in the league's overtime format.

Starting with the 2016/17 season, any game tied after regulation will proceed to a five minute 3-on-3 overtime period. If the game remains tied after the overtime period, it will proceed to a shootout. Previously, the overtime period had been played under a four-on-four format before proceeding to a shootout.

Other news from the meetings included substantial discussion on league expansion as well as the adoption of a new anti-harrassment policy, as well as development of league rules and policies.

"We've worked hard over the past 10 years to develop and establish our operations manual and league governance," says BCIHL president Kim Verigin. "It is now at the level that equals or exceeds equivalent associations or conferences that have been around for 20+ years or more. Now we need to focus on critical issues like expansion. We want to make our league attractive and accessible to as many student-athletes as possible and contribute to and support their progress in achieving their career goals."

The BCIHL was also pleased to welcome BC Hockey executive director Barry Petrachenko to discuss ways in which the two organizations can work more closely together to promote post-secondary hockey in BC.

"Working with BC Hockey and Hockey Canada and seeing their efforts to contribute to bolster the league and its membership is a very positive step forward," says Verigin. "They both recognize that intercollegiate hockey in BC is a critical level for hockey development and an important step forward to give student-athletes and option close to home."