The British Columbia Hockey League made a major announcement on Tuesday.
Cranbrook has been awarded an expansion franchise and will begin play next season as the league’s 18th franchise.
Cranbrook Bucks, new expansion franchise of the BC Hockey League was announced, team logo unveiled at an event Tuesday morning at Western Financial Place. Team scheduled to start play in the 2020/2021 season. https://t.co/oisFV6YGEN #Cranbrook #BCHL @BCHLBucks @CranbrookBucks pic.twitter.com/yAHq7Dgllm
— City of Cranbrook (@cityofcranbrook) October 8, 2019
“We are pleased to add Cranbrook as the 18th member of the BC Hockey League,” said Chris Hebb, BCHL commissioner.
“The city already has a rich hockey history and we are excited to see them add to that legacy and bring BCHL hockey to another great community in our province.”
The new franchise is led by majority owner and president Nathan Lieuwen, who played five seasons as a professional including seven games in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres.
He also had a brief stint with the Westside Warriors in 2007-08, playing 11 games with the BCHL club.
BCHL announces Cranbrook Bucks as the league's 18th franchise.
— BC Hockey League (@GoBCHL) October 8, 2019
MEDIA RELEASE: https://t.co/q3XYW34OXX pic.twitter.com/0p5mjIMu9a
Lieuwen expressed his excitement on Tuesday, as well as his gratitude for everyone who had a hand in this successful expansion process.
The Bucks fill a significant junior hockey void in Cranbrook after the WHL’s Kootenay Ice relocated to Winnipeg after the 2018-19 season.
Cranbrook joining the BCHL will trigger a realignment of the league's divisions, which will be announced at a later date.
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