Season Starts Oct 7th in Nanaimo!!!!

Well folks, even though where 0-4 right now, we can be at around the .500 mark very soon.
From now until Oct 16th, the Grizzlies have 6 games, two at home and 4 on the road including 3 games vs Nanaimo. The Clippers have had some good results in there last two games, but, Victoria are more than capable of taking a couple of rounds out of them.
Throw in two games v Surrey(contain the Morely boys and it can be done) who are a team that can score goals on you and throw as many shots as you can at the stingy Eagles goalie Andrew Hunt, that game should be a gooder.
Also during this game stretch is a game at the Langley Events Centre vs Roy Henderson's, Langley Rivermen who look to be in a similer situation to the Grizzlies, as a team just coming together after numerous roster moves.

Grizzlies, what do you say boys, the season starts Oct 7th in Nanaimo.

Grizzlies next Six Games :

Oct 7th - Away v's Nanaimo
Oct 8th - Home v's Surrey
Oct 12th - Home v's Nanaimo
Oct 14th - Away v's Langley
Oct 15th - Away v's Surrey
Oct 16th - Away v's Nanaimo

Adam Fares traded to Trail for futures

Rookie forward Adam Fares, has been traded to the Trail Smoke Eaters for futures. The 6'5'', Thunder Bay, Ont native in 3 games as a Grizzlie, picked up one assist. Fares, who played well in training camp and preseason, looked liked he could certainly contribute to the Grizzlies this year.

My trade sense is tingling and I have a feeling this won't be the last trade in the near future.

VIJHL's goings on: The Real Victoria Cougars

A lot of talk in the media and in the Times Colonist this last week was in regards to the WHL's Victoria Royals visit, to the ex Victoria WHL team, now the Prince George Cougars.
As the WHL's Cougars have been gone for 17 years the 'Cougars' name itself  has always been synonymous with the city.
The 'Cougars' name has been kept going proudly since 1998 by the VIJHL's Victoria Cougars. The VIJHL Cougars, who play at the Grizzlies/Salsa's old rink the Archie Browning Arena in Esquimalt, are well regarding and respected as one of the best Junior B teams in Western Canada.
The VIJHL Cougars are usually always a powerhouse team in the VIJHL, this is mainly due to the coaching in recent seasons via ex-Grizz Craig Didmon in the mid 2000's and in recent years by Mark Van Helvoirt.
Aside from that, the Cougars are a very well run franchise, who have been put together by a commitee of people who promote, organize and put a lot of effort into the day to day running of this team. In fact, the promotion, how they treat there players and how well the club is run would put a number of  BCHL teams to shame.
The Cougars, season after season have sent players onto the Junior A and WHL circut including a few players who have gone on to earn schlorships while playing for the Esquimalt based club.
Grizzlies prospects in training camp this year, such as Ryan Hogland, Ryan Parmar and Anthony Bonner are playing there this season and look to be enjoying there hockey.
Cougars homes games are usually on Thursday nights at 7:15pm. If your looking for something to do on a Thursday night and enjoy your junior hockey, head down to Archie Browning Arena to watch the 'only' Victoria Cougars.

Grizzlies Draft 9th and 25th in New 15 yr old draft.

The Grizzlies have drafted Ryan Kelm, 9th overall, a local boy who's currently playing with Victoria's Major Midget League team, the South Island Thunderbirds. Ryan, is a forward and at 5'8'' has played 2 games with South Island this season so far and has 1 assist.

The Grizzlies have drafted forward Austin Scanks, 25th overall, from Cloverdale BC. Austin, played his midget hockey with the Cloverdale Colts last year.

New BCHL 15yr old Hockey Draft

From the BCHLmedia/website in italics, the league has now introduced a draft to allow teams to draft a promising 15 yr old prospect from around the province. As explained in the article below, teams get a chance to draft this player and retain their rights for one season, introducing them to the team and that teams city. After the one year is up and the player isn't carded, the draft picks rights are no longer held from what I can make out.

Seems to me a little like the CHL bantem draft and might give some of the smaller market teams like Trail and Merritt a shot at a very gifted 15 yr old player, say from the Cariboo, Lower Mainland or the Island.
For the teams in the BCHL its usually been a free-for-all approach where a hockey club tries sell the player on the team, city, arena,coaching to a prospect at that age level in the hopes to sign them.
Teams like Vernon, Penticton, Nanaimo and Powell River in recent seasons have tempted players by their coaching/facilites and recent success for example. Where maybe the Victoria's and Westside's (West Kelowna), may have done it a little more on location and that type of thing.
This draft is a new interesting concept for the league, time will tell if it's a winner or not.


On Monday, Oct. 3, BCHL governor and league officials will convene in Richmond for the first governors meetings of the new season.

Amongst other things, an affiliate draft will be held which will give teams the chance to select 15-year-old players for the purpose of affiliating them for the season and introduce them to their team culture and to Junior A hockey. The players rights will not be retained at the end of the season.

"It will give each team a season to build a relationship with the young player," said BCHL executive director Dave Sales. "Perhaps more importantly for the league as a whole, even if a player doesn't stay with the team that drafted them, they may sign with another BCHL team because of their exposure to the league and we will have been successful as a group in keeping players versus them choosing other options."

The idea for the affiliate draft was approved by governors after the end of last season from a motion by the the steering committe of the board of directors. As ever, the BCHL is exploring new ideas as a way of staying relevant to developing hockey players and as a way of setting the pace for Junior A hockey in Canada.

Teams will have the option of selecting a player in each of the two rounds but are not required to do so because the draft is optional. Teams select based on reverse order of finish in the 2010-11 standings. The draft order is as follows:
How the teams will pick (I think its 2 rounds, but, I could be wrong).

1.Prince George
2. Chilliwack
3. Cowichan Valley
4. Merritt
5. Coquitlam
6. Alberni Valley
7. Nanaimo
8. Trail
9. Victoria
10. Langley
11. Westside
12. Surrey
13, Salmon Arm
14. Penticton
15. Vernon
16. Powell River

Victoria Grizzlies 6 - 8 Nanaimo Clippers

       

1st and 2nd Period: So, I'm going to sum up the first two periods in one, from a Grizzlies fans perspective. It was like watching six guys play PS3, NHL 2012 for the first time online, all on the same team and not knowing who was controlling which player(Thanks Brian).
No structure, four lines not clicking, no positioning on defense , turnovers in the neutral zone and the Clippers given so much time and space going forward they scored at will. I don't believe in slamming the players,however, I'm sure they don't need to be told that they didn't play well.
The Clippers for their part in the first two periods, looked good going forward, played with confidence and seemed to have a knack for scoring on the Grizzlies net. Josh Bryan , Kyle Kramer and Gladuik looked dangerous all night . Before 40 mins of hockey was said and done, the Clippers thanks to goals from Kramer (2), Bryan, Hartskamp, Taylor and Clarkson where 6-1 up on Victoria, with Myron answering back for the home team.
While the Grizz goaltending wasn't steller, the D, wasn't helping out so much at the same time.

3rd Period: Now if you'd left at the end of the 2nd, you might think you'd entered the twilight zone if you where checking on the score at home(aka my wife).
The Grizzlies, came out to play and the team started to click. The lines of Murphy, Myron and Ten Vaanholt where looking more comfortable and started to charge at the Clippers, causing the Nanaimo D a lot of Grief. Lawson(worked his socks of all night)with Gehl and at times Moran started to show some swagger. With these two lines coming to life and a little jump up in the play from the back in the form of Robertson and Bilious, the tables swung dramatically in the Grizzlies favour.
After Gehl had tapped in a nicely timed passed from Robertson for the Grizz's second we had ourselves a ballgame. With this newly found confidence, the Grizzlies would go on to score another 4 in the 3rd with two from Lawson(one back-heeled in from the Clippers McCormack), Myron would add his second and with 2 mins to go Ten Vaanholt would make it a 7-6 Clippers game. Chants of Go Grizz Go, the energy in the building and most importantly the Grizz players showing some great attacking hockey and starting to gell, there looked to be hope of one heck of a come back.
Despite best efforts, the come back was halted when in the last 30 secs, ex Grizz Josh Bryan, would add an empty netter to send the points back to the Harbour City.
As you know, you don't win games by only playing the 3rd period, but, fans got a chance to see what this team can do once things with the Grizzlies roster becomes more set and settled!

Stand Outs for the Grizzlies:
Cam Lawson - Was a surprise pick on the roster for myself, but, for me was the best Grizz player on the night. Battled for every puck, saw the ice well, and was rewarded with two goals. Showed some good skill and looks determined to be a big part of the team this year.
Jarryd Ten Vaanholt -  The 20 year old forward, looked like the attacking player he has come to the Grizzlies billed as. Hard to knock off the puck, creating some great passing, added a nice goal and got himself into good positions.
Wes Myron and Kevin Woodyatt - Neither where outstanding, but, both looked like firing the team up when on the ice and charging the boys up on the bench. Myron did have two goals and Woodyatt had the battle cry in the 3rd period when he was going forward, laying a check or dukeing it out with the Clippers, Panichelli in the 1st period.

Stand Outs for the Clippers:
Josh Bryan - Plays beyond his years and as with the Grizzlies last season, plays a solid game at both ends of the ice. Times his hits well, jumps up in the play, makes few mistakes which will translate as to how key Josh will be, to Mike Vandekamps Clippers revival.
Brett Harstkamp - Injured most of last season, I bet it's almost like having a new player in the Clippers line up. Does the little things well and works hard for three periods of hockey. Every team needs a Hartskamp who is willing to do what it takes for a team win.
Kyle Kramer - The four year Nanaimo vet, gets better every season and had two goals on the night. Kyle, is a workhorse with an eye for goal which is a combination which I'm sure will see Kyle have his best year yet in the BCHL.
Colton Dahlen - The Rookie dman, passed the puck around well tonight showing lots of confidence. Looked good going foward.

Attendence: 880   Shots on Goal: Grizz 30 - Clippers 36    Power Play: Grizz 2 for 5 - Clips 2 for 4
                                                                  

Grizzlies v Clippers at 7:15pm at Bear Mountain Arena

The only two winless team in the Coastal Conference meet up tonight at the Bear. The Grizzlies will have to watch the defensive end after leaking 17 goals in 3 games. The Clippers after coming off two tough over time losses, will be looking for some redemption tonight and the Grizzlies will have to watch the ever dangerous Brayden Jaw.

Full game report and tid-bits later on tonight.