Defending BCIHL Champions UVIC Lead Expectations Ahead of 25/26

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After a thrilling conclusion to the 2024/25 BCIHL season, the UVIC Vikes have the league's highest expectations as defending BCIHL champs, the first time they've held the title since 2017. 

UVIC went into the championship game perhaps as the underdog to regular season powerhouse VIU (17-1-0-1), but the hometown team blanked the Mariners 3-0 in an epic final that offered wall-to-wall excitement for 60 minutes. Eric Clark, in goal for UVIC, earned the first star with a flawless 34‑save shutout while Thomas Jenkins, the game's third star, netted the game winning goal early in the first period. Fans can watch a replay of the final on BCIHL.tv

The win was UVIC's 5th BCIHL title, and first under head coach Alec Dillon. While VIU has won the last two BCIHL regular season races and 1 of 2 BCIHL championships, the Vikes win in the biggest game in 2025 begs the question whether UVIC or VIU are favourites going into the 2025/26 season. 

SFU, Okanagan and Logan Lake, on the other hand, are quietly gearing up to turn the table on Vancouver Island's 2 year run of dominance. The Red Leafs have undergone a major re-tooling this offseason, parting ways with head coach Mark Soares, and incoming coach Guido Lamberti-Charles announcing a slew of PJHL recruits in the first few weeks including Ridge Meadows Flames Pierce Whyte, Richmond Sockeyes netminder Max Fowle, and NCAA D3 transfer Dylan Narduzzi. Okanagan has announced one ACAC transfer (Matteus Reis) and a handful of KIJHL pickups including Grand Forks Border Bruins netminder Jasper Tait. The Miners in their own right have been busy, adding more tools to their blue collar roster including Kamloops Storm defenceman Kyle Sanford.

However, anyone who thinks the VIkes have spent the summer celebrating instead of prepping for the upcoming season are mistaken, as the Vikes have replaced graduating seniors with another strong recruiting class including Grandview Steelers standout netminder Ronin Geraghty, Surrey Eagles' Savek Brar and the Kamloops Blazers Bryce Minten.

The Mariners, not to be outdone, have added 4 MJHL grads, one SJHL grad, and an NCAA D3 transfer in Brandon Modde. 

For an updated list of all BCIHL recruits, visit the BCIHL Commitments Page

As the BCIHL puts the finishing touches on the 2025/26 schedule, fans can expect another exciting season of university hockey in BC.