Grizzlies start season Sept. 20 in Coquitlam
The B.C. Hockey League will go back to a divisional format for the 2025-26 season, it was announced Thursday.
The Victoria Grizzlies, Alberni Valley Bulldogs, Nanaimo Clippers, Cowichan Valley Capitals and Powell River Kings will play in what will be known as the Coastal West Division.
The Coastal East will feature the teams skating in Coquitlam, Langley, Surrey, Chilliwack and Prince George.
The Interior West will have the franchises in Cranbrook, Salmon Arm, Trail, Vernon and West Kelowna. The Interior East will feature the five teams in Alberta — Spruce Grove, Sherwood Park, Brooks, Blackfalds and Okotoks.
The new playoff format will have the top four teams from each of the league’s four divisions qualifying for the post-season with the last-place team from each division in the regular season to be eliminated.
The first two rounds will be played within the division. The third round will feature the division winners playing in the conference finals before the best-of-seven championship series.
Each team will play 54 regular-season games beginning Sept. 19 through March 29. The playoffs will begin April 3.
The Grizzlies open with four road games beginning Sept. 20 in Coquitlam. The home opener at The Q Centre is Oct. 3 against the Bulldogs.
The Clippers and Bulldogs open their seasons with a home-and-home set Sept. 19-20 in Nanaimo and Port Alberni. The Capitals open with two home games Sept. 19-20 in Duncan against the Surrey Eagles and Chilliwack Chiefs. The Kings open with a home double-header Sept. 19-20 in Powell River against the Langley Rivermen.