Hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic that forced the cancellation of the 2020 playoffs and spring camps, both vital revenue-generators, and uncertainty about ticket revenue and sponsorships for next season, the B.C. Hockey League has asked the provincial government for financial assistance to offset its losses.

害羞草研究所淲e have every intention of playing hockey next season, with all 18 of our teams, if we get the green light from Hockey Canada as well as the provincial health authorities,害羞草研究所� BCHL commissioner Chris Hebb said. 害羞草研究所淏ut, the reality is we害羞草研究所檝e identified potential financial issues down the road due to this pandemic and want to address these problems now.

害羞草研究所淭he league has already lent its support to our teams through a contingency fund, but it害羞草研究所檚 clear that more is needed.害羞草研究所�

According to Hebb, the league sent a letter to Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Lisa Beare on Saturday, April 18, explaining what the league is and the effects the pandemic has had. They are hoping for a response by the end of this week.

害羞草研究所淲e had couple of former politicians that we knew guide us through this,害羞草研究所� Hebb noted on Wednesday afternoon. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 not the business we害羞草研究所檙e in; we害羞草研究所檙e not lobbyists.害羞草研究所�

The BCHL cut the 2020 playoffs short after the first round, when Hockey Canada shut down all sanctioned events indefinitely.

Hebb has expressed concerns recently that the league could lose teams as a result of the pandemic. He acknowledged on Wednesday that some of the clubs may be in dire financial straits, although none have said they won害羞草研究所檛 be back for a 2020-21 season.

害羞草研究所淲e have had no teams indicate they won害羞草研究所檛 be playing,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所渂ut it害羞草研究所檚 a difficult prospect for teams to be without revenue.害羞草研究所�

The BCHL is a gate-driven league, with the bulk of funds coming from ticket sales.

害羞草研究所淏oth of those are about having people in the seats,害羞草研究所� Hebb commented. 害羞草研究所淎t the end of the day, sponsors want people in seats, and ticket sales is our bread and butter.害羞草研究所�

Even major junior hockey, Hebb pointed out, does get some money from broadcasting deals, but the BCHL doesn害羞草研究所檛 have that luxury.

Among sports leagues in the province, the BCHL unique in a number of respects, Hebb said.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e nearly 59 years old,害羞草研究所� he pointed out. 害羞草研究所淣ot many leagues have been around that long and have meant so much to so many.害羞草研究所�

The league announced last October that it was expanding into the East Kootenays with the Cranbrook Bucks franchise, and Hebb said he is no more concerned about that club than he is about the other 17. Sponsors are 害羞草研究所渟itting on the sidelines害羞草研究所� throughout the league as they wait to see what is going to happen next.

害羞草研究所淲e know we害羞草研究所檙e going to take a hit on sponsorship revenue. It害羞草研究所檚 the same in Cranbrook as in every one of our markets.害羞草研究所�

The BCHL has several plans in place for if and when they get the go-ahead for a 2020-21 season, including their original schedule of 54 games, as well as backup plans for 50 and 46 games. The owners, he said, want the season to proceed, as do the players.

害羞草研究所淜ids are relying on us as a place to play, and we want to provide it,害羞草研究所� Hebb said, pointing out that the league had a record 172 players commit to U.S. Div. 1 or Div. 3 programs or Canadian university teams, a number that has increased each of the last six years. That represents about $3 million in scholarships.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 not only a boon to the community,害羞草研究所� Hebb said. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a boon to the kids.害羞草研究所�

There are 10 junior A leagues in Canada, but the BCHL produces about 60 per cent of scholarship players, the commissioner said.

害羞草研究所淲e have something special in B.C. It害羞草研究所檚 not run-of-the-mill junior A. It害羞草研究所檚 something that helps kids develop and go to school.

害羞草研究所淲e hope fans realize we are going to turn over every stone to make sure teams are viable. Remember, these teams are really important to their communities.害羞草研究所�

In pursuing funding from the provincial government, the BCHL has gathered letters of support from the mayors of their markets in B.C., as well as the District of Kitimat where the league held its first-ever BCHL Road Show in February.