Chiefs open preseason with a pair of weekend games

CHILLIWACK — The Chilliwack Chiefs open a new era of hockey in the B.C. Hockey League Friday (Sept 8) evening at the Chilliwack Coliseum.

When the Chiefs host the Prince George Spruce Kings at 7 p.m. in their first preseason game, they will be playing their first game in the independent BCHL.

The league is entering its 62nd year and until now, operated as a member of Hockey Canada. But with a vote last year, the league’s teams chose to operate as an independent league.

The BCHL says it will continue to produce NCAA Division I hockey players while providing junior hockey players with an opportunity to play at a high level. The league says it expects to continue to be a producer of NHL talent. Nine BCHL players were chosen in the latest NHL draft in June.