Prince George, B.C. – “We decided to give it a shot in the best interests of the league as a whole” That’s the reaction of the President of the Prince George Spruce Kings hockey club following word the B.C. Hockey League is re-aligning its conferences for the 2012-2013 season.

Three geographically-challenged teams are being moved in an effort to ensure the long-term viability of the league. The three are the Spruce Kings, who with Chilliwack move to the mainland Division of the Coastal Conference, Trail which stays in the Interior Conference, and Powell River which is in the Island Division of the Coastal Conference. 

President Darcy Buryn says “Quesnel and Williams Lake leaving the league definitely changed the dynamic for the Spruce Kings, being the only team from the north.” He says the club has built up some good rivalries with Vernon and Salmon arm, particularly in the playoffs. However he says remaining in the Interior Conference doesn’t make financial sense because the drive to Trail and Penticton is longer than a trip to Surrey and Langley. Buryn says there should be no additional travel costs to the team, “it shouldn’t substantially change the bottom line.” Buryn says the re-alignment  means fewer ferry trips to Vancouver Island for many teams. He says “making a 3 to 4-thousand-dollar ninety-minute trip to play one hockey game doesn’t make sense.” Bury says 15 teams were in favor of the change but Prince George had to be convinced. He says “we weren’t 100 percent sold, but will given it a shot in the league’s best interest. The Spruce Kings retain the right to return to the Interior Conference following the 2013 playoffs if they don’t like the way things worked out.

The BCHL is also cutting the 2013 schedule by four games from 60 to 56. The Spruce Kings president says the move is being made to have more games played on weekend nights than mid-week as more tickets are sold and more money generated on the weekends. And he says travelling to some mid-week games costs more than some clubs generate at the gate. Buryn says the move will also mean the players miss less school time.