The BCHL has hired Chris Hebb as the league’s new commissioner, effective immediately.
“The BCHL has a tremendous reputation in hockey development,” said Hebb, a native of Prince Rupert, B.C. “I’m pleased to continue the good work that’s been done, to give young men a platform to grow as hockey players and a path to a great career. I also look forward to helping our 17 teams raise their profile, increase league revenues and solidify our position as the best junior A hockey league in North America.”
Hebb is a former senior executive with two of the largest sports and entertainment companies in Canada – Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment (OBSE) in Vancouver and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) in Toronto.
From 2006 to 2013, Hebb was Senior Vice President of Content and Communications for MLSE.
He oversaw all broadcast and digital properties for the National Hockey League’s Toronto Maple Leafs, National Basketball Association’s Toronto Raptors, Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC and the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies.
Hebb was also responsible for running their three TV networks (NBATV Canada, GOLTV Canada and Leafs TV).
Before joining MLSE, Hebb spent 11 years with Orca Bay, former owners of the Vancouver Canucks, the NBA Vancouver Grizzlies and General Motors Place (now Rogers Arena). Hebb served as Vice President of Broadcast and led the organization into the digital age by launching the Canucks website and streaming the first NHL games to ever be viewed online.
More recently, he has been President of Starting Five Media Consulting Ltd., a company advising sports organizations on business strategy and development. Clients included Canada Soccer, the Oilers Entertainment Group, U-Sports, the Vancouver Whitecaps, Hockey Canada, Curling Canada and the B.C. Lotteries Corporation.
“Having known Chris for nearly 25 years, I am happy to see him take on this position and look forward to seeing the league grow under his stewardship,” said Rod Brind’Amour, head coach of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes and the father of Chilliwack Chiefs forward Skyler Brind’Amour.
The BCHL’s board of governors had a chance to meet Hebb last week at the league’s annual general meeting in Richmond.
“We are confident with Chris’s background and experience that he is the right person to take our league into a new era,” said Graham Fraser, chairman of the BCHL board of governors. “During the search process, Chris separated himself from the group of applicants not only with his resume but also with his ideas for taking the BCHL to even greater heights. We are extremely happy to have him on board.”