Wild Join British Columbia Hockey League
June 1, 2015 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wenatchee Wild News Release
The Wenatchee Wild will join the BCHL as its 17th franchise starting with the 2015-16 season, the team and league announced Monday at a media conference held in the central Washington city.
"The BCHL is gaining a strong franchise in the Wenatchee Wild and we value the passion and professionalism they bring to our league," said BCHL commissioner John Grisdale. "The Wild will quickly develop rivalries with our existing franchises and I believe they will be a big draw in opposing buildings."
The Wild had been a member the North American Hockey League (NAHL) since the 2008-09 season. They have had a winning record in each of their seven seasons of existence and this past season, they had six players on their roster committed to NCAA Div. I programs. Playing out of Wenatchee's Town Toyota Center, the team averages about 3,000 fans at home games.
Head coach Bliss Littler, a native of Minot, N.D., is entering his 22nd year as a Junior hockey coach.
"We could not be more excited or humbled to be joining the BCHL," said Littler. "Knowing the history and reputation of the league, be it sending players to play NCAA Division I hockey, NHL draft picks or the professionalism of the member teams and league have, we look forward to being a good league member on and off the ice."
As a U.S.-based club, the Wild will be allowed to roster a maximum of four Canadian players.
With today's announcement, they become the first U.S.-based franchise in the BCHL since the Bellingham Ice Hawks, who operated from 1990 to 1995.
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Some BCHL facts:Â
37 BCHL alumni played in the NHL this past season 23 players have been selected from the BCHL over the last five NHL Entry Drafts Some prominent BCHL alumni include Brett Hull, Paul Kariya, Kyle Turris, Duncan Keith, Jamie Benn, Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland, Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving and Flames assistant GM Brad Pascall In the 2014-15 season, 109 players in the BCHL had NCAA Div. I scholarships Over 200 BCHL alumni played NCAA Division I hockey this past season, representing 55 of the 59 current hockey programs The BCHL has the most national Junior A hockey championships of any league in Canada, with 12
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Part 2 - ASCII
NAHL Wenatchee Wild News Articles
Wild Join British Columbia Hockey League http://www.pointstreaksites.com/view/wenatcheewild/news/news_303348 Jun 1st 2015, 22:30
The Wenatchee Wild Hockey Team announced Monday the official move to the British Columbia Hockey League beginning in the 2015-16 season. Â The team hosted an official press conference at Town Toyota Center to make the announcement to fans and media.
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE - Courtesy of BCHL Media (www.bchl.ca)
The Wenatchee Wild will join the BCHL as its 17th franchise starting with the 2015-16 season, the team and league announced Monday at a media conference held in the central Washington city.
"The BCHL is gaining a strong franchise in the Wenatchee Wild and we value the passion and professionalism they bring to our league," said BCHL commissioner John Grisdale. "The Wild will quickly develop rivalries with our existing franchises and I believe they will be a big draw in opposing buildings."
The Wild had been a member the North American Hockey League (NAHL) since the 2008-09 season. They have had a winning record in each of their seven seasons of existence and this past season, they had six players on their roster committed to NCAA Div. I programs. Playing out of Wenatchee's Town Toyota Center, the team averages about 3,000 fans at home games.
Head coach Bliss Littler, a native of Minot, N.D., is entering his 22nd year as a Junior hockey coach.
"We could not be more excited or humbled to be joining the BCHL," said Littler. "Knowing the history and reputation of the league, be it sending players to play NCAA Division I hockey, NHL draft picks or the professionalism of the member teams and league have, we look forward to being a good league member on and off the ice."
As a U.S.-based club, the Wild will be allowed to roster a maximum of four Canadian players.
With today's announcement, they become the first U.S.-based franchise in the BCHL since the Bellingham Ice Hawks, who operated from 1990 to 1995.
###
Some BCHL facts:
37 BCHL alumni played in the NHL this past season
23 players have been selected from the BCHL over the last five NHL Entry Drafts
Some prominent BCHL alumni include Brett Hull, Paul Kariya, Kyle Turris, Duncan Keith, Jamie Benn, Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland, Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving and Flames assistant GM Brad Pascall
In the 2014-15 season, 109 players in the BCHL had NCAA Div. I scholarships
Over 200 BCHL alumni played NCAA Division I hockey this past season, representing 55 of the 59 current hockey programs
The BCHL has the most national Junior A hockey championships of any league in Canada, with 12
• Discuss this story on the North American Hockey League message board...
North American Hockey League Stories from June 1, 2015
- Wild Join British Columbia Hockey League - Wenatchee Wild
- Goalie Kautz Makes NCAA D1 Commitment - Minnesota Wilderness
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
