League Years 1990's
The British Columbia Junior Hockey League became known as the British Columbia Hockey League in 1996.
The League seemed to stabilize, some what, in the 1990's, after two decades of endless expansion, contraction and team relocation. The 90's saw four teams leave the league, seven were added and six relocated.
The League proved to be "a power to be reckoned with" at the regional level and especially at the national level in the 1990's. It received ten provincial titles, Mowat Cups, eight British Columbia versus Alberta titles, Doyle Cups, five Western Canadian titles, Abbott Cups and nine National Championship appearances which includes three Centennial Cups and three Royal Bank Cups (National Championship).
The Leagues third to eighth National titles were won by the Vernon Lakers, 1990 & 1991, Kelowna Spartans,1993, Vernon Vipers, 1996 & 1999 and the South Surrey Eagles in 1998.
The League also hosted the National Championship Tournament, for the first time, in 1990 by the Vernon Lakers and again in 1998 by the Naniamo Clippers.
1990's Highlights
In the 1990's the league achieved the following.
- 10 - Mowat Cups - BC Championship
- 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
- 8 - Doyle Cups - BC vs AB Championship
- 1990 1991 1992 1993 1996 1997 1998 1999
- Runners-up: 1994 1995
- 5 - Abbott Cups - Western Canadian Championship
- 1991 1993 1997 1998 1999
- Runners-up: 1992 1996
- 3 - Centennial Cups - National Championship
- 1990 1991 1993
- Runners-up: 1994
Semi-Finalist: 1992 - 3 - Royal Bank Cups - National Championship
- 1996 1998 1999
- Runners-up: 1997
1990's Season by Season Overview
Below you will find a brief overview of the each season in the 1990's.
- 1990-91
- Victoria Warriors added
Delta Flyers » Powell River Paper Kings
Ladner Penguins » Bellingham Ice Hawks
Richmond Sockeyes » Chilliwack Chiefs - 60 game schedule
Coastal & Interior Divisions - Playoffs: Best-of-seven
1 vs 4, 2 vs 3 Each Division
Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals & Final - Champion - Vernon Lakers
- 1991-92
-
New Westminster Royal » Surrey Eagles - 60 game schedule
Coastal & Interior Divisions - Playoffs: 1 vs 4, 2 vs 3
Divisions
Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals & Final - Champion - Vernon Lakers
- 1992-93
- 60 game schedule
Coastal & Interior Divisions - Playoffs: 1 vs 4, 2 vs 3
Divisions
Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals & Final - Champion - Kelowna Spartans
- Victoria Warriors last season
- 1993-94
- Cowichan Valley Capitals added
- 60 game schedule
Coastal & Interior Divisions - Playoffs: 1 vs 4, 2 vs 3
Divisions
Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals & Final - Champion - Kelowna Spartans
- 1994-95
- Victoria Salsa added
Langley Thunder added
Royal City Outlaws added - 60 game schedule
Island, Mainland & Interior Divisions
- Playoffs: Top 2 each Division enter
Quarter-Finals
Remaining top 4 teams play a best-of-three mini-series
Mini-series winners enter quarter-finals
Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals & Final - Champion - Chilliwack Chiefs
- Kelowna Spartans last season
- 1995-96
- Vernon Lakers » Vernon
Vipers
Bellingham Ice Hawks » Trail Smoke Eaters
- 60 game schedule
Island, Mainland & Interior Division
- Playoffs: Top 2 each Division enter
Quarter-Finals
Remaining top 4 teams play a best-of-three mini-series
Mini-series winners enter quarter-finals
Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals & Final - Champion - Vernon Vipers
- 1996-97
- Quesnel Millionaires added
Surrey Eagles » South Surrey Eagles
Royal City Outlaws » Prince George Spruce Kings - 60 game schedule
Coastal Division & Interior Division
- Playoffs: Top 3 each Division enter
Quarter-Finals
4th & 5th each Division play a best-of-three mini-series
Mini-series winners enter quarter-finals
Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals highest seed play lowest seed each division
Final - Champion - South Surrey Eagles
- 1997-98
- 60 game schedule
Coastal Division & Interior Division
- Playoffs: Top 3 each Division enter
Quarter-Finals
4th & 5th each Division play a best-of-three mini-series
Mini-series winners enter quarter-finals
Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals highest seed play lowest seed each division
Final - Champion - South Surrey Eagles
- Abbotsford Falcons last season
Summerland Buckaroos last season
- 1998-99
- Burnaby Bulldogs added
Powell River Paper Kings » Powell River Kings
Langley Thunder » Langley Hornets
- 60 game schedule
Coastal Conference - Island Division & Mainland Division
Interior Conference - Playoffs: Coastal Conference: 1 v 3
each division & 2nd vs 2nd
Remaining top seed "bye" to Quarter-Final
Interior Conference: 1 vs 4, 2 vs 3
Preliminary Round, Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, Final - Champion - Vernon Vipers
- 1999-00
- 60 game schedule
Coastal Conference - Island Division & Mainland Division
Interior Conference - Playoffs: Coastal Conference: 1 v 3
each division & 2nd vs 2nd
Remaining top seed "bye" to Quarter-Final
Interior Conference: 1 vs 4, 2 vs 3
Preliminary Round, Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, Final - Champion - Chilliwack Chiefs