BCHL Today: BCHL announces pod season schedule, Combs signs ECHL contract, and more

 

BCHL releases 2020-21 schedule

The BC Hockey League officially announced the schedule for all five pods hosting games during the 2020-21 season.

The season runs from Friday, Apr. 2 to Sunday, May 9 with 160 games scheduled over the course of 38 days. During that time, there are only two days where there are no games.

Each of the 16 participating teams will play 20 games.

Combs signs ECHL contract with Wichita

Forward Charlie Combs (66 goals, 46 assists in 86 games with Wenatchee from 2015-17) has signed an ECHL contract with the Wichita Thunder for this season.

Combs, a 24-year-old from St. Louis, played his final year of college hockey at Michigan State University this season, where he had six goals and 10 points in 23 games.

Heinen added to NHL COVID-19 protocol list

Anaheim Ducks forward Danton Heinen (29 goals, 35 assists in 59 games with Merritt and Surrey from 2012-14) is on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list after being added to it on Tuesday.

There’s no word whether the Langley native tested positive for COVID-19 or is considered a close contact of someone who has. Heinen has four goals and seven points in 23 games with the Ducks this season.

Blackburn inks contract with Deggendorfer SC

Forward Liam Blackburn (67 goals, 127 assists in 163 games with Prince George and West Kelowna from 2013-16) has signed for 2021-22 with Deggendorfer SC of the Oberliga, which is the third tier of hockey in Germany.

Blackburn, a 24-year-old from Prince George, had 22 goals and 48 points in 26 games with the EHF Passau Black Hawks this past season.