The Grizzlies 2011/12 season as seen through the eyes of a fan:
What Happened:
Off the Ice
Whenever a Grizzlies season starts, there is usually quite a bit of optimism in regards to the teams chances for that season. As the Grizzlies in recent years have been able to attract talent/players on reputation and location of the organization, the Westshore faithful have always expected a playoff push.
However, the start of this season was a little different even before the puck dropped. The WHL was back in town in the form of the Victoria Royals, recently moved via Chilliwack. Hockey fans in the Victoria area had yearned for the return of the “Dub” since it left 17 years earlier. An aggressive marketing campaign by the Royals meant that attendances would more than likely take a hit for the Grizzlies this season. Crowds averaged around the 500-600 mark for most of the season and the atmosphere didn’t feel quite right from September onwards at times.
When the team was dismantled at the deadline with all of the deals made and the ensuing injuries that would transpire, it would leave the team down to 13-14 players and scrambling at times for AP’s. The outcome of this was surprising from the fans standpoint. The fact that the Grizzlies hadn’t traded away the talent like this for years, was an eye opener, but, was done for the future.
As the team struggled after the deadline and the fans became angry with a depleted roster and the results not going the way of the team. Die hard and neutral fans alike, where questioning what was going on and some anger towards the Grizzlies management started to fester. A teddy bear toss which didn’t go according to plan concluded with, for some bizarre reason the opposition players picking up the teddy’s instead of the Grizzlies, which would add fuel to the fire.
But, the other side of this scenario of almost having a new team after Jan 15th, was quite fantastic to see at the same time in it's own twilight zone way. The players who were left on the team gave 110% every night, despite some lopsided defeats. Even with some off ice distractions involving ownership, which may have directly or indirectly affected the team, a depleted Grizzlies line up would get on with just playing hockey.
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The fans started to care less about the standings and more about supporting the remaining players. At every home game win or lose, the Grizzlies players would salute the fans and the fans would cheer them on and thank them for their efforts. On the road, the Grizzlies in my mind have travelling with them, the best road support in the league. With the Grizz diehards(and the players parents) following the team around the Lower Mainland to Powell River and all across the Island was a treat to see and deserving for the players.
Not a success for the organization at times as far as attendance, PR and certain elements of the ownership went , but, as mentioned in the “on the ice article”, below, reasons to cheer yet!
On the Ice
On the ice, the roster was looking promising with returnees like Myron, Murphy, Robertson, Bilious and Pernerowski, and ex WHL goalie Jamie Tucker all established Junior vets in the mix. Promising youngsters such as De Jong and Walchuk, plus some early season trades for quality forwards such as Mike Moran and Jerryd Ten Vaanholt had the roster looking competitive with what the rest of the BCHL had to offer.
As the puck dropped, Victoria would go winless in their first 6 games of the season and a few eyebrows where being raised as to when the team would kick it into gear. But, kick into gear they would, with young talent like Myron and Murphy banging in goals for fun with Ten Vaanholt and Moran making the Grizzlies one of the more formidable attacking teams in the league. The Grizzlies throughout the months of late October/November/December looked playoff bound and where playing some very entertaining hockey.
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| Gold Medalist Wes Myron |
Myron, Murphy, Moran, Colantone and Ten Vaanholt where all in the top 15 in scoring; with Myron and Murphy attracting NCAA and even NHL attention. A great accomplishment would see Wes Myron, go on to represent Team Canada West at the World Jnr A Challenge in Langley BC . Captain, Sean Robertson was his usual steady self and Nolan De Jong was looking like a rookie of the year candidate. Players added to the Grizzlies roster like Hansen, Kaiser, Lawson and Alex Holland were adding depth to a hard working Grizzlies team. Key additions like experienced D-man Stefan Gonzales and local forward Mike Collins where a welcomed to the Grizzlies depth chart.
Certain rosters moves would be made to the line up, such as 20 yr old Brad Gehl traded back to Ontario, former Cowichan player Dante Godinho being released and the popular Mike Colantone traded to the Prince George Spruce Kings.
However, even after some great performances, just prior to Xmas the results didn’t go the Grizzlies way. Goaltending at times struggled, with the highly touted Jamie Tucker unable to produce some of the form that made him a Major Junior starter, injuries started to catch up with the team and all of sudden with the new, “4 teams from each conference make the playoffs” started to stare the team in the face. The Grizzlies had slipped into 5/6th place and where on the outside looking in. Something wasn’t clicking, the team struggled for consistency, at times seemed to be outcoached from the opposition. As the Jan 15th trade deadline approached, something had to give. And give it did, Owner Head Coach/GM Len Barrie and Vic Gervais did what the Grizzlies/Salsa organization hadn’t done for several years, which was trade away the top talent for futures for the 2012/13 season.
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The Grizzlies would make the following deals at the deadline (majority of information from BCHL website)
· Prior the deadline(Mid December), was the Vernon Vipers Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Zach McPhee (93)(F) and future considerations to the Victoria Grizzlies Hockey Club in exchange for the playing rights of Sean Robertson (91)(D).
· The Victoria Grizzlies Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Mike Moran (91)(F) to the Spruce Grove Saints Hockey Club of the AJHL in exchange for future considerations.
· The Victoria Grizzlies Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Jamie Tucker (91)(G) and Mike Collins (91)(F) to the Dauphin Kings Hockey Club of the MJHL in exchange for future considerations.
· The Victoria Grizzlies transfer the playing rights of Wade Murphy (92) (F) to the Penticton Vees in exchange for the playing rights of Mark McLellan (94)(F) and future considerations.
· The Victoria Grizzlies Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Jarryd Ten Vaanholt (91)(F) to the Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club in exchange for future considerations.
· Taylor Pernerowski is traded to the OJHL Colberg Cougars for future considerations.
· Kevin Woodyatt, released.
Although, the additions of 18 year old Saanich Braves defenceman, Jaden Schmeisser would be a nice fit and add a little toughness to the back end and the surprise pick up of 4 season WHL veteran and Kelowna Rocket defender, Kevin Smith would add a quality player who really helped the team out on the ice as Captain and was pretty well an on ice coach at times. Victoria, would also add Mitchell Smith and CJ Lilles back to the roster and where given a special accommodation to sign BCHL vet Cole Gelley to beef the roster up a little
What proceeded to happen from Jan 15 until March 10, wasn’t pretty and at times got darn right ugly. The Grizzlies would only go on to win just 3 games in the last two months of the season and where hit with some heavy defeats as explained in the “Off ice” article. But, to watch the players that where left on the roster battle game in game out and not give up, was an inspiration to watch and shifted the focus from the negative to the positive for much of what was left of the season.
Forwards Coltyn Hansen, Cam Lawson, Chase Kaiser and Alex Holland taking on the top line minutes and responsibilities along with Mike Sandor, Myles Powell and Mark McLellan taking their games to new levels where a treat to watch. Hansen, Lawson, Holland and Kaiser look like they can really produce the points and should be key factors for Victoria next season. Giving the team a very good platform to start from.
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| Stefan Gonzales |
In defence Braxton Bilious, Stefan Gonzales, Jaden Schmeisser, Nolan De Jong and Kevin Smith showed that they could be a very solid/defensive group and thrived showing their talent with more ice time and being thrust into leadership roles. Smith really showed his WHL calibre of play at times, with Gonzales and Bilious showing great leadership skills and much needed consistancy. Schmeisser, showed he belonged at the Jnr A level and added a little of everything to the defence. Nolan De Jong at 16, secured his scholarship to Cornell and showed why he should be a BCHL rookie of the year candidate.
Both goaltenders Nick Taylor and Taylor Pears faced an incredible amount of rubber in their appearances, often averaging 50-60 shots a night. Although, there weren’t many wins between them, the scores could have been higher if not for some stellar shot stopping at times. Credit to both Pears and Taylor.
Wes Myron, despite missing most of 2012 thrilled Grizzlies fans along with Murphy and should be proud of what they brought to the team this year. Both, have received scholarships and attracted attention from the NHL.
Sean Robertson. No other player has worn the Grizzlies colours as much as ‘Robbo’ and the heart he put into this team for nearly 5 seasons, must be acknowledged. Although his new team the Vipers didn’t make the playoff, I’m sure a scholarship for Sean will be announced soon.
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| Sean Robertson |
Rumours around the rink stated that new ownership for the Grizzlies is in the works, with majority owner Len Barrie selling his shares. Although, as the rumours where reiterated in the Times Colonist, however, Len Barrie was interviewed in that same article and seemed to be confident about his role with the Grizzlies. Whatever the outcome, it might be time for a fresh start in some of the ownership circles for the Grizzlies and new leadership taking this team forward.
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| Len Barrie |
Here is a link to Mario Annicchiarico’s article: http://www.timescolonist.com/sports/Grizzlies+Barrie+have+look+forward/6284207/story.html
Looks like a new Head Coach will be announced for the upcoming season as Vic Gervais, is stepping down to pursue other opportunities, rumoured to be the new Junior B coming to the Westshore. Credit to Gervais, for assembling some quality Grizzlies squads over the last 4 years and teams that played entertaining hockey. But, with this needs to come a measure of success and playoff accomplishments, which didn’t really happen in Gervais’s reign at the Grizzlies helm. The Grizzlies have had roster/talent in recent years which should have had more success than they achieved. A fresh start for both parties does indeed look like the right direction!!!
All the futures coming to the Grizzlies. It looks like there is around 10-12 futures coming to this team for next season via the trade deadline and some of the players being rumoured (not confirmed), should turn this team around for this upcoming season. If Wade Murphy is indeed coming back, the Grizzlies have a home town star and one of the best forwards at the Junior A level in the country, coming home to Victoria.
The fans of the Grizzlies, put up with a lot this year and where a little shocked at some of the events and transactions that transpired this season. The Grizzlies need to show that the upcoming season will be a better product on and off the ice to keep the core of the support and attracting new fans this coming off-season. Credit to Grizzlies owner/Business Manager Reza Binab, for getting the ball rolling on this early.
Conclusion
Lets not mess around here. Whatever needs to happen, needs to happen fast to take this hockey club forward. Not a month from now, not mid-summer and not two weeks before the season starts.
Ownership needs to be sorted out and settled if current events are to be believed, to steer the Grizzlies back on course. Everyone must be on the same page and geared for one goal only, the Grizzlies.
Coaching, needs to be in place ASAP to get these futures to the club and confident about joining the Victoria Grizzlies. Attracting new talent/potential and providing the players coming back with stability and the ability to take their game to the next level is paramont.
The only way for the 2012/13 Grizzlies to be portrayed, is as a stable franchise with solid ownership and quality coaching.
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| End of Season Salute to the Fans |
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