Dante Godinho - released

As reported in the Times Colonist by Mario Annicchiarico, Dante Godinho has been released by the Grizzlies. The West Vancouverite was used in a variety of offensive roles and was a main stay on the 3rd line with Hansen and Kaiser. Godinho, had 3 goals and 7 assist in 23 games with the Grizzlies this season!!
Annicchiarico, reported no BCHL teams (at this stage) have signed Dante yet as he is free to sign with anyone at this point.
Hopefully Dante will pick up with another Junior A side soon.

Good luck Dante!!!

Brad Gehl traded to the OJHL's Lindsay Muskies for Mark Davis

20 year Ontario forward Brad Gehl has been traded back across the country to the Lindsay Muskies of the OJHL. In return the Grizzlies have been dealt 19 year old forward with a nose for goal in Mark Davis.

Brad Gehl, certainly added some size and chipped in with his fair share of points, but, a trade closer to home my kick start things a little more for him. Gehl, wore the 'A' for the Grizzlies and in 25 games had 8 goals and 8 assists. Good luck to Brad in with Lindsay. The Muskies are one of the more established Jnr A team in Ontario.

In return, the Grizzlies bring in 19 yr Mark Davis who has had his fair share of goals in 3.5 Junior A seasons. Here are Mark's stats: From the eliteprospects.com website

Matt Davis

Birthyear: 1992-04-21 Birthplace: Uxbridge, ON, CAN Age: 19 Nation: Canada Position: F Shoots: - Height: 178 cm / 5'10" Weight: 91 kg / 201 lb

Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	TP	PIM		Postseason	GP	G	A	TP	PIM
2008-2009	Bowmanville Eagles	OJHL	41	10	19	29	22	|	Playoffs	4	1	0	1	2
2009-2010	Bowmanville Eagles	CCHL	41	15	21	36	36	|	Playoffs	10	1	1	2	2
2010-2011	Lindsay Muskies	OJHL	48	27	27	54	42	|	Playoffs	3	2	2	4	6
2011-2012	Lindsay Muskies	OJHL	23	14	17	31	6	|

This is the 2nd time in as many seasons the Grizzlies have struck a deal with the Muskies, as starting goalie from last year Matt "Ginner" Ginn came from Lindsay as well!!!

Ex-Grizzlies - Mike Colantone and Scott Renner

Congratulations to ex-Grizzlie and current Prince George Spruce King, Mike Colantone, who has earned his scholarship and will lace them up for the NCAA's Div 1, U Mass-Lowell Railhawks starting for the 2012/13 season. In two seasons and 92 BCHL games, Mike has amassed an impressive 26 goals and 46 assists for a points total of 72 points.
The Brooklyn, New York native, who played his minor hockey in New Jersey and Arizona, should be an important piece of the Spruce Kings play off run for the reminder of this season.

Congrats from the Grizzlies, Mike.

Mike Colantone

Scott Renner, who was released by the Grizzlies a couple of weeks ago and signed for the Junior B KIJHL's Kelowna Chiefs, is now an AP with the BCHL's Westside Warriors. As predicted, Renner,will hopefully catch on with Westside for the reminder of the season as he has the ability/talent to play Junior A hockey.

Scott Renner

Possible Two Point Deduction For The Westside Warriors

Here is a recent article from John Zacks, Westside Warriors "Generals Report" blog, in regards to a potential two point deduction from the Warriors's recent 3-2 OT victory against Merritt. Make sure you don't have more than your allotted 1991 born players on your roster!!!!

Here is the link to John Zacks blog. John is the excellent play by play comment for the Warriors and has one of the most informative blogs in the league; not only for Westside Warrior fans ,but, BCHL fans as well.
Here is the link to the Warriors blog:
http://westsidewarriorsblog.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/a-tough-pill-to-swallow/

Quite the scenario!!!!

Braxton Bilious - Mike Mellings Grizz Roar Interview #2

Roving Reporter Mike Mellings for the Grizz Roar Blog, caught up with Braxton Bilous of the Victoria Grizzlies. The 6”1’ 192lbs 17 year old defenceman has committed to play college hockey in the NCAA with Merrimack College. Braxton has 3 goals,4 assists and 17 PIM in 23 games with the Grizzlies this year.

Grizz Roar: What’s your favorite road arena?

Braxton Bilous: Alberni, the atmosphere is crazy and it’s fun to play in.

GR: Who’s your road roommate?

BB: Jesse Ursic

GR: Who’s the biggest prankster on the team?

BB: There's a few, probably Kevin Woodyatt

GR: What’s your favorite professional team?

BB: Vancouver Canucks

GR Who’s your favorite NHL player?

BB: Nicklas Lidstrom

GR: Which former or current NHL player do you try and model your game after?

BB: Kevin Bieksa, I think his game is well-rounded and that’s what I try to play like

GR: What’s been the favorite hockey moment of your career so far?

BB: Probably the playoff run last year, it was a great group of guys and the last series with Powell River was crazy. It would have been great to win but it was a great experience.

GR: What are your plans if pro hockey doesn’t work out?

BB: I plan on taking business at Merrimack so something along those lines.

GR: What’s your pre-game meal?

BB: The classic pasta and chicken.

GR: What do you feel is the biggest strength of your game?

BB: Moving the puck and playing physical.

GR: Do you have any superstitions?

BB: No

GR: What age were you when you first started skating and playing hockey?

BB: I started skating when I was four and I started playing hockey when I was seven.

GR: Who has the best and worst Movember mustache on the Grizzlies?

BB: The best is probably myself and the worst is CJ Lillies

GR: What’s the best piece of advice you would give a young player?

BB: Find out what you love and go for it, if it's hockey then go for it, there's nothing wrong with that.

GR: What’s your favorite movie?

BB: Stepbrothers

GR: Who’s your favorite musician/band?

BB: LMFAO

GR: Who has had the most influence on your hockey career so far?

BB: My dad, he played hockey too and he’s inspired my all the way through my career so far.

GR: As a former professional player himself, what has Coach Len Barrie taught you?

BB: Just to stick with the systems and success will come.

Cowichan Valley 1-0 Victoria Grizzlies @Island Savings Centre, Nov 26, 2011

A crowd of just over 1,500 would roar on the Caps to fight off the upstart Grizzlies to a 1-0 victory on Saturday night. A Matt Brown goal towards the end of the first with a little help from Robak and Sherbinin, would be the difference maker in this game.
Despite peppering Jamie Tucker's net all night, Tucker, stood firm and determined and limited the Caps to a lone goal on 41 shots. However, the Grizzlies offence couldn't return the favour as the Caps closed down Victoria for all three periods of the game. A decent effort from the Grizzlies,but, they couldn't solve Caps goalie Derek Dun or his defence.
Again this is an old comment coming back here,but, the Grizzlies roster is good enough to compete for a playoff spot. Consistency in certain areas is a key factor to this at the moment.
Scoring hasn't been an issue for Victoria, however, it hasn't been has potent in the few games.
With another defeat to the Caps, the Grizzlies start to find themselves falling off the pace a little into sixth place and are now 8 points behind the Coastal Conference league leading Duncan outfit.
The flip side of the coin is, the Cowichan Valley Capitals are for real this season. They have two very good lines, a group of guys that will grind, fore check and battle in the corners. If you add good goaltending, a deeper roster, a coaching staff that seems to know what there doing this season; all roads may very well lead through Duncan to determine the Coastal Conference Champs this year.
Again, with a little rest between now and Friday, hopefully December will be a little kinda to the Grizzlies.


The Grizzlies have a three game home stand coming up between Dec 2 -9 all games starting at 7:15pm.

Friday, Dec 2nd will be against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks
Saturday, Dec 3rd will be against the Powell River Kings
Friday, Dec 9th will be against the Penticton Vees (first Victoria Royals Crossover home game of the season. Grizz Roar will have an article soon on this)

Tyler Bozak and Jamie Benn named to the BCHL's all star team.

As part of the league's 50th anniversary, the BCHL has had an on going poll on the BCHL offical website to name decade by decade BCHL all star teams. Tyler Bozak and Jamie Benn of the Victoria Grizzlies during the mid 2000's, where both named to the BCHL's all star team for that decade.
Congrats to both players as there has been some phenomenal players throughout the last 50 years in the league and especially in the last 10 years. A great and deserved honor for two of the Grizzlies greats in Tyler and Jamie. A treat to watch and will never be forgotten by the Grizzlies faithful.

In an appropriate NHL match up tonight, Jamie's, Dallas Stars would be defeated Tyler's, Maple Leafs 4-3.However, Jamie would pick up 2 assists on the night.

For full BCHL all time all star teams, the results are: http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/newsletter.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&page=57337

Victoria Grizzlies 2 - 6 Cowichan Valley Capitals @ Bear Mountain Arena, Nov 25th

So happy 50th BCHL anniversary wasn't on the menu tonight as the Capitals went about there business in some style and wouldn't let up on the Grizzlies tonight.

1st Period: Would see the Caps start the lively of the two and really dominate in the first period. After buzzing around Jamie Tucker's net, the Caps would make the break through shorthanded(although David Pope had just stepped onto the ice). Mikael Jung would beat Tucker after the Caps sailed up the ice a man down and Jung picked up the pass from Sherbinin, where he would slot it by goalie Tucker.
The Caps would continue to dominate in the first, as a picture perfect pass from Brown to Charles after nice work again from Braydin Sherbinin, (a recent pick up from the Westside Warriors) would make it 2-0 Caps.The end of the period would see the Grizzlies limp into the intermission 3-0 down, as Jung would add his 2nd of the game and Cowichan's 3rd.

2nd Period: The Grizzlies would battle away,but, where out fought by the Caps as the tide turned against Victoria again. The impressive top two lines of Cowichan would make it 5-0, through goals from the creative Matthew Grant and sniper Brandon Mistral.
Victoria, would show some signs of life as the top line of the Grizzlies would start to put some pressure on the Caps and goalie Derek Dun. Brad Gehl, would lay a huge hit on a Cowichan player which gave the fans a rise mid- way through the period. The Grizzlies, via some energetic work from Wade Murphy, would finally get the Grizz on the board at 5-1. Sean Robertson, who has been working really hard would be rewarded on the powerplay, after peppering Dun's net. Robertson's shot would beat the Caps goalie to give Bear Mountain Arena some hope at 5-2 at the end of the 2nd.

3rd Period: The Grizzlies showed determination in the 3rd ,but, here outmatched and outworked by the Caps. The game would be finished by a Brandon Mistral empty netter, making it game over and a 6-2 Cowichan victory.

Game Thoughts Grizzlies: Lackluster tonight, aside from some flashes in the 2nd and 3rd. They couldn't match Cowichan's intensity or there offensive flare on the night. The Grizzlies now trail the Caps by six points and the incentive to win tomorrow night in Duncan shouldn't be hard. The Grizzlies have to keep pace with the top teams in the conference.

Game Thoughts Caps: Came into the game like they really wanted it and played the part well tonight. Jung, Grant, Mistral, Gannon to name a few are a handful and with their intensity and winning culture this season, you simply can't take a night off when you play the Cowichan Valley Capitals this season. The Caps D-men looked good going forward and fore-checked well all game.

Stand out from the Grizzlies:
Nolan DeJong: Looked good going forward and did his best to close down the dangerous Caps forwards. Seems to improve every game.
Jamie Tucker: Credit to him for not taking the bait tonight and kept his cool when the Caps where encroaching or slashing towards him.
Cam Lawson: My grinder of the season so far. Got stuck in when he could and looked determined when on the ice.
Myles Powell: Made his debut tonight not a lot of ice time,but, with his speed and skill looked good. Some quality passing tonight didn't go unnoticed.

Stand Out for the Caps:
Mikael Jung: His time with the Regina Pats has served him well. Intelligent and see's the ice well. A real handful and had two goals tonight.
David London:  Didn't give the Grizz time to breath, solid and great positioning tonight.
Derek Dun: Seems to play well against Victoria each time out and kept the Murphy, Myron and Ten Vaanholt line at bay tonight.
Brayden Sherbinin: Got forward well, was very confident on the puck and looks like a very good all around Junior A defenseman.

Attendence: 987   Shot on Goal: Victoria 25 and Cowichan 33
Powerplays: Victoria 1 for 6 and Cowichan 1 for 8

Victoria Grizzlies Facebook Page - Two Free Ticket Giveaways

So all you facebook fans, here's an opportunity for you to enter a draw to win two tickets to a Grizzlies home game. A draw will be made before each game starting Dec 2 , 2011 for anyone who 'Likes' the Grizzlies Official Home page on facebook; they are automatically entered for the random draw to win two tickets to a Grizzlies game.
So what are you waiting for "Like' the Grizzlies Official home page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/VictoriaGrizzlies to be entered for the random draw and have the chance to win two free tickets compliments of Reza, for yourself or two friends.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/VictoriaGrizzlies

Victoria Grizzlies v Cowichan Valley Capitals @ Bear Mountain Arena, 7:15pm, Nov 25th, 2011

Two inform teams meet for the BCHL's 50th anniversary weekend with a home and home series against the Caps. Cowichan, from some shrewd business in the trade dept have assembled a squad which is capable of competing with anyone in the BCHL this season.
The Grizzlies have Wes Myron, Jarryd Ten Vaanholt and Wade Murphy in unstoppable form and yeah I'm gonna say it, it's the Grizzlies best top line since Bozak, Nunn and Benn. Mike Moran, really adds extra punch and has done all season and with the likes of Lawson, Gehl and Holland provides secondary scoring, leaving the offensive is in good hands.
Sean Robertson has been playing his best hockey of the season recently and with Stefan Gonzales now in the line up, it's settled things down at the back.
Murphys and Myrons 1.9 points per game average is just devastating to any opponent right now.
The Grizzlies should take confidence from last weeks 6-5 OT win against the Caps, which isn't an easy venue to take 2 points out of.

Cowichan leads the league, in no small part to the top two lines of Brown, Mistral, Gannon, Iacobellis, Grant and the impressive Jacob Charles. Add to that the a defence line including Muto, Paterson, London and Robak and in my mind one of the best goalkeeping tandems in the league of Brady Rouleau and Derk Dun. In what was an eyebrow riser at the start of the season, the Co-Coaches of Jim Ingram and Dale Purinton have a legitimate title contender from Duncan this season.

These next two games against the Caps will prove to be a real test of how far and how serious a playoff team the Grizzles are. This should be a great weekend for BCHL hockey in Victoria, Friday night and Duncan on Saturday night

Myles Powell has signed for the Grizzlies

The Grizzlies look like they have pulled off a major coup by signing 17 yr old Courteney native Myles Powell from the VIJHL Comox Valley Glacier Kings. Powell, has scored a staggering 18 goals and 17 assists for 35 points in 18 games. Myles, was in the the top 5 in scoring in a very competitive VIJHL season and had AP'd with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
The Grizzlies aren't short on firepower and Powell looks like he could add to that offensive core.
Powell, has been given the number #21 jersey and should make his debut v's Cowichan this weekend

Welcome to the Grizzlies Myles.

Victoria Grizzlies players help Santa's Annoymous

Some of the Victoria Grizzlies will be donating their time to meet the public and promote CFAX radio's Santa's Anonymous. Maxxam Insurance on Goldstream just past Tim Hortons will be hosting the event with a BBQ, coffee etc.
Lets all get out and support this worthy cause by bringing a toy to be donated. Come and chat with your neighbours, hockey friends and our Grizzlies team players. Go ahead! Chat with them-----I promise they won't bite! Let them know how much we appreciate their efforts on the ice!

BCHL celebration weekend: Nov 25 and 26 - 2nd Posting

The BCHL will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next weekend during the games scheduled Nov 25th and 26th.
Festivities around the BCHL rinks(Victoria) for the games on that weekend; will include special jerseys for the teams, promotions and auctions for memorabilia including the BCHL's, 50 all time top players results from the online voting competition, which has taken place since the start of October.

Don't miss the festivities celebrating the BCHL's 50th with Victoria's game at home to the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Friday, Nov 25th at 7:15pm.


BCHL 50th anniversary weekend game:
Victoria Grizzlies v's Cowichan Valley Capitals on Friday, Nov 25th at 7:15pm.

Here's is the BCHL website link for the 50th anniversary weekend:
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/newsletter.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&page=57122

2013 - Western Junior A Championship to be Started.

Announced from various sources now, the Doyle Cup which is the trophy between the BCHL and AJHL  champions will be scrapped; as will the Anavant Cup which is the trophy between the SJHL and MJHL champions, starting in 2013.
As rumours began to circulate a few months ago, the four Western Junior A leagues, will compete in there own version of the end of season championship tourney effectively replacing the current RBC Cup format as we know it. 2012 will be the last RBC Cup.
Each of the 4 leagues champions would compete in the Western Junior A Championship, along with a host team making it a 5 team tourney. I know numerous teams and management from the four Western Leagues, are strongly in favour of this new format for reasons such as, the quality of play being higher in these four leagues than the Eastern Canadian Junior A Leagues.
With reports starting to circulate, it looks like the BCHL will be the first host league. Nanaimo, has put a bid in to be the host city for the first Western Championships in 2013.

Stay tuned folks more details when they become available!!!