A look at the Potential Grizzlies Coaching Staff(Joining Bill)

So things are looking promising and the pieces are coming together as the organization heads deeper into the summer months before the Grizzlies camps start to get going.

The new Grizzlies ownership spearheaded by Ron Walchuk, the Vancouver Island Sports and Entertainment Ltd have already put into place GM and Head Coach Bill Bestwick in turn giving the Grizzlies one of the most experienced and successful coaches at this level.

As Bill looks to put his coaching team in place two names being mentioend in local media are former Grizzlies Asst Coach, Craig Didmon and current Victoria Cougars Heach Coach, Mark Van Helvoirt.

As rumoured in local media, the Grizzlies could look to be adding former Asst Coach Craig Didmon as Asst GM and Asst Coach.

Craig Didmon

Craig Didmon: Grizzlies fans who are familiar with Craig Didmon, know they are getting a Coach with a winning mentality who has had success, with the VIJHL's Victoria Cougars as Head Coach including a VIJHL Championship and a Cyclone Taylor Cup win to his credit. Craig has also coached the Major Midget Leagues, South Island Thunderbirds and more recently was one of the Victoria Royals Assistants to GM/Head Coach Marc Habscheid.
Didmon a highly respected hockey man throughout Vancouver Island, is well known for the quality of coaching he gives to Junior hockey players at this stage of their careers and is a real student of the game. If recent reports are to be believed, Craig Didmon's experience would be a huge asset to a quick Grizzlies reversal in fortunes.

The other name being rumoured at this time to round off the Grizzlies coaching staff as an Asst Coach, is the current Victoria Cougars Head Coach Mark Van Helvoirt.

Mark Van Helvoirt

Mark Van Helvoirt: Van Helvoirt was an Asst Coach to Craig Didmon during the 2006/07 and took over the reins as Head Coach of the Cougs when Craig Dimon moved on. In Mark's 5 year tenure as Cougars Head Coach, the Cougars have won two South Divison titles, two VIJHL titles and have made two Cyclone Cup appearences. Impressives to be sure, but, what add's to Van Helvoirt resume is how well coached his teams are especially in the special teams dept.
Van Helvoirt, who is his playing days was a clincial goal scorer in the VIJHL breaking numerous league and Cougar records along the way.
As a young coach who has seen success at the Jnr B level, if Mark joins the Grizzlies he will round off a coaching staff with a winning mentality and culture.

Looking forward to the upcoming anncouncments!!!