AGM yields big additions with playoffs, OT and shootouts on tap for 2012/13

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The British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League held its 2012 Annual General Meeting on June 2nd and 3rd at Selkirk College in Castlegar, with league governors approving a numbers of significant changes to be implemented for the 2012/13 season.

Amongst the developments was the implementation of a three-round playoff format to determine the BCIHL Champion that will replace the tournament format that was in existence for the league's first six seasons. Beginning in March 2013, the top five regular season finishers will advance to a playoffs with the winner of each round being determined by a best-of-three series.

• 1st Round: 4th place vs. 5th place
• 2nd Round: 1st place vs 4/5 Winner, 2nd Place vs. 3rd Place
• 3rd Round: Round 2 Winners meet in Championship Series

The league also approved the implementation of overtime and shootouts using the same format as the National Hockey League. Games tied at the end of regulation will now proceed to a five-minute 4-on-4 overtime and potentially a shootout. In the past, games tied after 60 minutes of play ended in a tie.

"The adoption of a playoffs and the addition of overtime and shootouts are exciting developments for our fans and athletes," says BCIHL President Kim Verigin. "It was positive to see our teams working together to overcome a number of logistical challenges and move forward with these changes."

League governors also approved a regulation to allow for the affiliation of players competing at the Junior B level in B.C. who are enrolled in courses at BCIHL member institutions. These players, with the consent of their junior organization, will now be able to appear in as many as four BCIHL regular season games.

"Our league's coaches were very enthusiastic about allowing graduating Junior B players to be exposed to the level of play in the BCIHL," says Verigin. "We're thankful for the cooperation of BC Hockey and the respective leagues in helping to make this a reality. We hope this option allows a number of high-calibre players to experience the league and ultimately choose to compete in the BCIHL once their junior careers are complete."

The meetings wrapped on Sunday with the appointment of Chris Hans to the BCIHL Executive. Hans replaces Jeff Dubois, who recently left SFU to accept the head coaching position at Selkirk College.