The Bestwick/Didmon era is starting to take shape and a clear sign of that was in the big trade made this week, involving sending popular Grizzlies Defenceman Braxton Bilous and goalie Garrett Rockafellow to Rylan Ferster's Westside Warriors. In exchange the Grizzlies receive goalie Brady Rouleau, who is coming off a solid season spent mostly with the Cowichan Valley Capitals and forward Garrett Skrbich who played 50 games for the Warriors last season
Trades where certainly expected, given the fact that the Grizzlies where carrying 8 defenders and
D-man Bilous who had spent the last 2 years with the Grizz, gets a fresh start in West Kelowna with the Warriors.
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| Braxton Bilous |
Bilous, who has already committed to Merrimack University for the 2013/14 season, showed the type of player defender he can be at the Junior A level last season, but, injuries did cost him at times during 2011/12.
In Braxton's rookie year in 2010/11, it looked like a steep learning curve for him after coming up from the MML, but, showing the enthusiasm and determination he did, you could tell the talent is there.
Last season, Braxton showed a lot more confidence in his game and was certainly starting to add the physical side of competing in Junior A to his game.
Going forward, a fresh start with a new club should be a great opportunity for Braxton and in Rylan Ferster, he will be coached by one of BCHL's best.
Garrett Rockafellow, made a strong case for himself showing he can be a starting goaltender in the BCHL before injuries ended hiss eason after New Years. After a few shaky starts on a Grizzlies team which was often undermanned, Rockafellow's won 5, lost 15 record shouldn't be a knock against his performances. Many nights 'Rocks' really kept the damage down, as a depleted Grizzlies line up struggled to compete on occasion. Garrett, made a number of spectacular saves and his rebound control and confidence really improved as the season went on.
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| Garrett 'Rocks' Rockafellow |
Considering the Grizzlies situation last season, Garrett's 4.50 GAA average is very respectable.
Rockafellow will be competing with the Warriors other recently acquired goaltender, Tyler Biggs,for the starting job in Westside.
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| Brady Rouleau playing for the AJHL's Canmore Eagles |
Coming to the Grizzlies in exchange ,in a move which should further strengthen the squad. are goaltender Brady Rouleau who should be a bonifide BCHL starter.
Rouleau, a 19 yr old from Lethbridge was impressive in his first season in the league, coming over to the Cowichan Valley Captials from the AJHL's Canmore Eagles, before an end of season trade to Westside.
Rouleau in 22 games was spectacular for the Caps, sporting 12 wins and 8 losses with a very impressive 2.81 GAA. I remember a game in mid-December games last season, where the Caps beat the Grizzlies 4-2 at Bear Mtn Arena, where Rouleau really stole the game for the Caps.
Rouleau, will be relied upon to carry the load in goal for the Grizzlies for this upcoming season.
| Season Team GP W L T GAA 2011/12 Westside Warriors 22 12 8 0 2.81 |
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| Garrett Skrbich |
19 yr old Garrett Skrbich, a forward from hockey state USA, Minnesota comes to the Grizzlies after completing his rookie year last season with the Warriors. Already committed to Princeton University for the 2013/14 season, Skrbich, was a regular with the Warriors playing 50 games scoring 7 goals and adding 5 assists.
With a number of starting jobs up for grabs, Skrbich will be given every opportunity to show the Grizzlies what an asset he can be to his new team this season.
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PPG | ||||||
| 2011 - 2012 | Westside Warriors | 50 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 0.2 |
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