BCHL Showcase moving to Seattle next season

MERRITT – The BCHL British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL)Showcase has found a new home south of the border for the 2023-24 season.

The league announced a partnership with the Seattle Kraken to bring the Showcase to the Kraken Community Iceplex next season. The Iceplex is the Kraken’s official practice facility and it features three NHL-sized rinks, 12 dressing rooms, and a restaurant.

“We are thrilled to be taking our Showcase event to the next level by working with the Seattle Kraken,” said BCHL Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer, Steven Cocker. “Like all of our events, we want to grow them as we move forward. This opportunity will allow us to enhance the experience for our players and staff, while not losing sight of the primary purpose of this event, which is to provide exposure for our athletes to scouts and college coaches.”

The BCHL Showcase has been taking place at the Chilliwack Coliseum, formally known as the Prospera Centre, for the past ten years since the league started the Showcase in 2012.

“We also want to thank the Chilliwack Chiefs organization for hosting the event for over a decade. Their hard work and dedication year after year helped build the Showcase into the premiere event that it is today,” added Cocker.

Since its inception, the Merritt Centennials haven’t fared too well in front of the scouts. In 20 total games played in the Showcase, the Cents have only won five of them. Earlier this season in the Showcase, the Centennials lost 6-4 to the Surrey Eagles and fell 3-2 to the Victoria Grizzlies.

Seattle will host all 18 BCHL teams in October to play two regular season games in front of fans, NHL scouts, and NCAA coaches over a four-day stretch.

“We look forward to hosting the BCHL and the Showcase event at Kraken Community Iceplex this fall,” said Rob Lampman, COO of the Kraken. “We are confident the players, their families, scouts and fans will enjoy their time in Seattle. This is an event that brings together members of the amateur, collegiate and professional hockey community as we showcase the talent of tomorrow and inspire those to follow.”