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.

91裸聊视频淲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,91裸聊视频� BCHL commissioner Chris Hebb said. 91裸聊视频淏ut, the reality is we91裸聊视频檝e identified potential financial issues down the road due to this pandemic and want to address these problems now.

91裸聊视频淭he league has already lent its support to our teams through a contingency fund, but it91裸聊视频檚 clear that more is needed.91裸聊视频�

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.

91裸聊视频淲e had couple of former politicians that we knew guide us through this,91裸聊视频� Hebb noted on Wednesday afternoon. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 not the business we91裸聊视频檙e in; we91裸聊视频檙e not lobbyists.91裸聊视频�

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 won91裸聊视频檛 be back for a 2020-21 season.

91裸聊视频淲e have had no teams indicate they won91裸聊视频檛 be playing,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频渂ut it91裸聊视频檚 a difficult prospect for teams to be without revenue.91裸聊视频�

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

91裸聊视频淏oth of those are about having people in the seats,91裸聊视频� Hebb commented. 91裸聊视频淎t the end of the day, sponsors want people in seats, and ticket sales is our bread and butter.91裸聊视频�

Even major junior hockey, Hebb pointed out, does get some money from broadcasting deals, but the BCHL doesn91裸聊视频檛 have that luxury.

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

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e nearly 59 years old,91裸聊视频� he pointed out. 91裸聊视频淣ot many leagues have been around that long and have meant so much to so many.91裸聊视频�

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 91裸聊视频渟itting on the sidelines91裸聊视频� throughout the league as they wait to see what is going to happen next.

91裸聊视频淲e know we91裸聊视频檙e going to take a hit on sponsorship revenue. It91裸聊视频檚 the same in Cranbrook as in every one of our markets.91裸聊视频�

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.

91裸聊视频淜ids are relying on us as a place to play, and we want to provide it,91裸聊视频� 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.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 not only a boon to the community,91裸聊视频� Hebb said. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a boon to the kids.91裸聊视频�

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

91裸聊视频淲e have something special in B.C. It91裸聊视频檚 not run-of-the-mill junior A. It91裸聊视频檚 something that helps kids develop and go to school.

91裸聊视频淲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.91裸聊视频�

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.