The B.C. Hockey League changed the length of its regular-season schedule during its annual general meeting last week in Richmond.
The upcoming season will have teams playing 58 regular-season games in the 2013-2014 season, up to two from the 56-game schedule this past season. All 16 teams will play two games that count in the standings at the second annual Bauer BCHL Showcase, Sept. 6-8 in Chilliwack, followed by 28 home and 28 away games.
Other changes approved at the meeting include:
* a revised media policy in regards to the Jan. 10 trade deadline. Teams will now be able to issue releases regarding player movement as soon as the league office and the players involved have been made aware of the trade. Previously the league required teams to wait until Jan. 11 to release trade details.
* All players in the BCHL will be required to use a Bauer Supreme team stick now that the league has signed an equipment agreement with Bauer. Failure to do so will result in "severe financial penalties to the club, and will escalate with repeat offences." Teams are allowed to use unused protective gear until the equipment is used up. All future orders must be made with Bauer.
* Former NHL linesman Brad Lazarowich has joined the BCHL officiating program as associate director of officiating to head director Derek Adams.
The BCHL regular season schedule should be released before the end of June. The league will decide how to structure the 2014 playoffs at a later meeting.
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