On Friday, the junior-A league, which generally starts its regular season in September, said game play will start on Dec. 1, pending approval from the provincial health office.
The 18-team league cancelled the rest of its season on March 13 because of coronavirus concerns.
“The [public health office] has indicated to us that waiting until December gives us the best chance at ensuring we have an uninterrupted season, while also maximizing the amount of regular-season games we’ll be able to play,” BCHL commissioner Chris Hebb said in a news release.
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It also aligns with the NHL’s plans to start its 2020-21 season.
“It became clear from our discussions with the [public health office] that the best way to accomplish this would be to delay the start of our season to give them time to assess the effects of a potential second wave of COVID-19 during flu season.”
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The league added that teams will be able to hold extended training camps as of Sept. 8, under current restrictions on mass gatherings and physical-distancing.