BCHL BACK IN THE WACK

Most of the I's have been dotted and the T's have been crossed that will see Chilliwack return to the BCHL. The only obstacle remaining is to get approval from BC Hockey.

Something just seems right to have the city of Chilliwack in the BCHL. The ownership group that purchased the Quesnel Millionaires owns the right to the Chiefs name. It would be fitting to see the Chilliwack Chiefs name return to the BCHL. To me it wouldn't be the BCHL without the Chiefs name in the league.

At least in the short term, the team will remain in the Interior Conference for next season

See the full press release below.

May 24, 2011
For immediate release:
After going to a vote by the league board of governors, the proposed sale and relocation of the
Quesnel Millionaires Hockey Club has been unanimously accepted subject to formal approval
from BC Hockey.

Chiefs Development Group (CDG), formerly the owners of the Langley Chiefs and consisting mainly of Moray Keith and Jim Bond has purchased the franchise with the intent of moving it to Chilliwack. Longtime Chiefs head coach and general manager Harvey Smyl has agreed to an ownership position within the new group.

“I’m very happy to have the great support of the BCHL board of governors and that they’d vote unanimously to bring Chilliwack back into our league,” said board chairman Darcy Rota. “There are still some points that need to be cleared up before it’s official but we’re sure that will happen very soon.”

CDG recently sold the Langley franchise but retain the rights to the “Chiefs” nickname. Nothing has been made official yet as to a name for the relocating franchise though the last time the BCHL
had a team in Chilliwack, in the 2005-06 season, they were known as the Chiefs.

The Chilliwack team will play in the Interior Conference for the coming season and the league will be realigned after that.

Due to the late timing of the application, BC Hockey will be holding an exceptional conference call of its executive committee in order to formalize, review and approve the sale and relocation of the club.