Grizzlies sign Coachman and Thompson

Although with the team throughout most of training camp and preseason, the latest additions to the Grizzlies roster have been confirmed; with defencemen Justin Coachman and Blake Thompson coming aboard.

Both players have performed very well throughout preseason and have earned their spots. Justin and Blake will add size, depth and toughness to the roster, in an area which has been lacking over the last few seasons for Victoria.
From watching Bill Bestwick's Nanaimo Clipper teams over the last 6 years, one thing they where never short of, where guys who could certainly play, but, at the same time added size, grit and a tendency to finish their checks and fore check constantly.  Those Clippers team weren't afraid to get a little greasy to get the win, which at times is needed to pull out a win in the BCHL. Also a Bill Bestwick team is taught to play three periods of hockey every game.
With Coachman, Thompson, Lawson, Schmessier and Kaiser you have players that will stick up and protect their teammates to grind out the win.






Justin Coachman

Justin Coachman: is a 19 yr old, defender out of Rochester, NY who has played high school hockey the past two seasons in the highly competitive USHS, for the Williston Northampton Wildcats. The BCHL will certainly be a step up and higher learning curve to be sure, but, Justin has applied himself well in preseason and with his size and ability should bolster the line up and protect the top line. At 6'2, 205lbs he should be a pressence on the ice.






Blake Thompson

Blake Thompson: Looked good in preseason and in Sunday's final preseason game against Powell River, he was outstanding. Did a bit of everything, chipped in with two assists, closed down the Kings forward and didn't give them much in the way of time and space. Looked very comfortable and confident in the system. Thompson, who turns 20 in November, has played the last two years in the GOJHL(Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League). which is classed as a Junior A league,but, isn't a part of the CJAHL(which includes BCHL, AJHL, SJHL, MJHL, OJHL, NOJHL Quebec League and the MJAHL).
Blake, has put up good numbers in each of the last two seasons for a D-man, as well as a few penalty minutes for good measure. In 99 games, Blake put up 44 pts while amassing 193 PIM's.
Thompson, at 6'1', 185lbs will add size to the roster and looks like he should be a good two way player, once he settles into the BCHL.