The Official Magazine of the British Columbia Hockey League
close calls courtesy SAIT ATHLETICS
Mike Ullrich (right) scored 121 points in two seasons with the
Vernon Vipers before suiting up at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. His 47 points led the team last season
But both are growing in size and offering British Columbia Hockey League grads a chance to play the game close to home. The British Columbia Intercollegiate
O
Hockey League is a seven-team circuit with programs that stretch from the Lower Mainland to Vancouver Island, the Oka- nagan and the Kootenays. Founded in 2006, the league has quickly grown to the point where it serves as an attractive option for players exiting junior and em- barking on a post-secondary education. “I looked at it as a good choice,” said
Patrik Martin, who is in his first season at Simon Fraser University after concluding a three-year career with the Trail Smoke Eat- ers in March. “I’m going to a great school and I knew I would still be able to play a good level of hockey.” The BCIHL also has teams at Trinity
Western University (Langley), the University of Victoria, the University of the Fraser Val- ley (Abbotsford), Selkirk College (Castle- gar), Okanagan College (Kelowna) and Thompson Rivers University (Kamloops). Martin represents one of many BCHL
ne league is relatively new on the scene while the other has long been entrenched in the college hockey culture.
grads who have been a part of the league’s growth. Last season, former Ver- non Vipers netminder Nick Olynyk and Penticton Vees defenceman Matt Schultz helped lead the University of Victoria to the league title. This year, former Vi- pers blueliner Korey Gannon and Prince George Spruce Kings winger Joel Leon-
ard are key players for Thompson Rivers in their inaugural campaign. University of the Fraser Valley forward Darren Olson was a 59-point man for the Langley Hornets. “When the BCIHL first started there
was an obvious need for university and college hockey in B.C.,” says Kim Veri- gin, the Athletic Director at Selkirk Col-
2010 EDUCATION ISSUE | 25
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