BCEHL WEEKEND UPDATE - JANUARY 14-18
For Immediate Release
January 14, 2026
Saanichton, B.C. - We're back for another busy week ahead across the BCEHL as the seventh annual Winter Classic kicks off this Friday in Fort St. James and Vanderhoof! Multiple leagues will see its top teams fighting to hold onto first place, while the top half of the U17 league remains neck-and-neck. Let's check out what's in store.
Female U18 AAA
The Female U18 league gets set to return to action with a pair of matchups. Tied in points at the top of the standings, the first-place Greater Vancouver Comets (15-4-0), will look to break the deadlock at the Winter Classic as they face the fourth-place Northern Capitals (8-12-2). Both teams will get set to brave the cold outdoors at Ernie Sam Memorial Arena, located on the traditional lands of the Nak'azdli Whut'en, followed by a rematch inside Vanderhoof Arena. Meanwhile, the third-place Thompson-Okanagan Lakers (13-8-1), aiming to climb inside the top two, will welcome the fifth-place Vancouver Island Seals (2-17-0) for a weekend doubleheader.
Friday's Female U18 Game:
Greater Vancouver Comets @ Northern Capitals - 6:30 p.m. - Ernie Sam Memorial Arena
Saturday's Female U18 Games:
Greater Vancouver Comets @ Northern Capitals - 9:00 a.m. - Vanderhoof Arena
Vancouver Island Seals @ Thompson-Okanagan Lakers - 12:15 p.m. - Kal Tire Place
Sunday's Female U18 Game:
Vancouver Island Seals @ Thompson-Okanagan Lakers - 12:15 p.m. - Kal Tire Place
U18 AAA
It's gearing up to be an exciting weekend ahead in the U18 league. An outdoor clash at the Winter Classic sees the third-place Cariboo Cougars (13-8-3) looking to extend their four game winning streak against the seventh-place Fraser Valley Thunderbirds (9-12-4), followed by a Sunday morning showdown inside Fort Forum Arena. Elsewhere, with just a narrow two-point lead at the top, the first-place Okanagan Rockets (17-4-1) will hit the road to take on the fifth-place Vancouver North West Hawks (10-11-4), who themselves are two points back of fourth.
Saturday’s U18 Games:
Fraser Valley Thunderbirds @ Cariboo Cougars - 6:00 p.m. - Ernie Sam Memorial Arena
Okanagan Rockets @ Vancouver North West Hawks - 6:00 p.m. - Canlan Ice Sports North Shore
Valley West Giants @ Thompson Blazers - 6:00 p.m. - Kamloops Memorial Arena
Sunday’s U18 Games:
Fraser Valley Thunderbirds @ Cariboo Cougars - 10:00 a.m. - Fort Forum Arena
Okanagan Rockets @ Vancouver North West Hawks - 11:00 a.m. - Canlan Ice Sports North Shore
Valley West Giants @ Thompson Blazers - 11:00 a.m. - Sandman Centre
U17 AAA
With the majority of the U17 teams in action, and only a five point separation between first and fifth place, there is a big opportunity to move up the standings, and a short leash for the league leaders. A huge two-game set emerges in Prince George as the second-place Cariboo Cougars (18-8-1) host the fourth-place Okanagan Rockets (16-8-2), with first place up for grabs. Meanwhile, the first-place Vancouver North West Hawks (17-6-3) will need to be at their best with multiple teams hot on their tail, as they travel to face the sixth-place Valley West Giants (12-9-3).
Friday's U17 Game:
Vancouver North East Chiefs @ Greater Vancouver Canadians - 6:00 p.m. - Richmond Olympic Oval
Saturday’s U17 Games:
Vancouver North East Chiefs @ Fraser Valley Thunderbirds - 1:00 p.m. - Rogers Forum
Vancouver Island Royals @ Greater Vancouver Canadians - 5:15 p.m. - Richmond Olympic Oval
Okanagan Rockets @ Cariboo Cougars - 5:15 p.m. - Kopar Memorial Arena
Sunday’s U17 Games:
Okanagan Rockets @ Cariboo Cougars - 9:00 a.m. - CN Centre
Vancouver Island Royals @ Greater Vancouver Canadians - 11:15 a.m. - Richmond Olympic Oval
Vancouver North West Hawks @ Valley West Giants - 3:45 p.m. - North Surrey Sport & Ice Complex
U15 AAA
There are just two matchups in the U15 league this weekend. A clash for third sees the third-place Vancouver North East Chiefs (11-5-2) battle the fifth-place Thompson Blazers (11-8-1), while the league-leading Fraser Valley Thunderbirds (19-2-0) will look to extend their lead at the top when they host the sixth-place Vancouver North West Hawks (4-12-4).
Saturday's U15 Games:
Thompson Blazers @ Vancouver North East Chiefs - 3:30 p.m. - Scotia Barn
Vancouver North West Hawks @ Fraser Valley Thunderbirds - 4:30 p.m. - Rogers Forum
Sunday's U15 Game:
Thompson Blazers @ Vancouver North East Chiefs - 10:45 a.m. - Scotia Barn
To stay up to date on everything going on in the BCEHL visit the website to view schedules, standings, stats, and scores: BCEHL.net, follow @BCEHL on X, @BCEHL_AAA on Instagram, and join the conversation by using #BCEHLAAAHOCKEY
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