On a cold weekend in January of 2023, just ten months ago, the British Columbia Hockey League brought the 60th anniversary of its All-Star Game and all associated festivities to Penticton.
The big game, called the "Top Prospects Game," unfolded with a bunch of fans and scouts looking on at the South Okanagan Events Centre, one of the finest facilities in the BC interior for such an event.
All that associated stuff – and there was a ton of it, including games and competitions for various age groups, a BCHL "Skills Competition," an "Alumni & Friends Game" that featured several celebrated ex-NHLers, and a 3-on-3 short-game BCHL All-Star Tournament – were reserved for the city's still newish downtown rink.
It ultimately proved to be a pretty good setup. Good enough that the league is coming back for a second straight year a couple months from now in January 2024.
To be fair, it wasn’t just the success of the 2023 event, or the fact that Penticton suddenly had a way cool outdoor rink just steps from City Hall, that sealed the deal for 2024. It was also a $50,000 commitment on the part of the City (and its taxpayers, of course) just two months ago.
"The City will provide $50,000 towards the event," said the council highlight summary from Sept. 13, "which will again feature a prospects game at the SOEC and skills competition at the outdoor rink in Gyro Park."
And today, the BCHL officially confirmed what most had figured would happen.
“After the success of last year’s All-Star Weekend where we celebrated our 60th Anniversary, we are thrilled to announce this marquee event is coming back to the Okanagan,” said BCHL Commissioner Steven Cocker.
“Fans will once again be treated with the opportunity to watch the best players the BCHL has to offer, plus some big-name alumni and special guests, playing in unique situations like the Top Prospects Game or on the outdoor rink.”
Not surprisingly, Penticton mayor Julius Bloomfield was equally enthusiastic.
“The caliber of player is exceptional and the commitment to fan involvement is outstanding," he said. "From the Top Prospects Game to the skills challenge on the outdoor rink, the weekend is designed to create special memories for all involved and we’re pleased to be part of it.”
Drew Barnes, president of Activate Penticton, the non-profit organization through which Penticton's outdoor rink came together, was rather upbeat too.
"Activate was thrilled to host the BCHL 60th anniversary this past season," he said, "and is even more excited about the event coming back in a bigger way this year.
"We look forward to seeing the public come out for this free event."
The announcement does, however, raise an interesting question. Is Penticton gunning for permanent or at least semi-permanent BCHL All-Star status?
It certainly has the facilities. The SOEC is a wonderful place for this level of hockey. The outdoor rink, located in the downtown core, is likely an invaluable part of the equation.
Beyond that, there's the little matter of the oft-discussed but not-quite-yet officially announced winter festival the City plans to debut in January.
They want it to be an annual deal, and they want to run it in conjunction with the BCHL event.
Would the BCHL commit to one city? For how long? They've already done two consecutive years.
Weekend highlights this January include the Top Prospects Game, Jan. 19 at 6 pm at the SOEC, the BCHL Skills Competition, Jan. 20 at 11:30 am at the Outdoor Rink, the Alumni & Friends Game, Jan 20 at 12:30 pm at the Outdoor Rink and the BCHL All-Star Tournament (skills competition and mini-games), Jan 20 at 2 pm at the Outdoor Rink.
All Outdoor Rink events are free of charge. And don't forget -- there'll be a winter festival going on next door.
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