Victoria hosts Alberni Valley on Friday night
The defence never rests for the Victoria Grizzlies. With seven blue-line returnees, the hopes for a breakout from last season’s mid-pack status begins at the back end, as the Grizzlies open their B.C. Hockey League season tonight at The Q Centre against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
The Grizzlies’ blue line is led by newly-minted captain Eli Barnett, the seventh-round 2022 NHL draft selection of the San Jose Sharks.The six-foot-six reargaurd, who just turned 19 last week, is committed to the University of Vermont Catamounts in NCAA Div. 1 for 2023-24, and will be just that for the Grizzlies in wearing the ‘C.’
“They have been with the program and have earned it,” said Ferster, of his four players who will wear letters this season.You don’t doubt the choices of a coach with Ferster’s resume. Ferster’s first 2 ½-season stint on the Salsa/Grizzlies bench included coaching future Dallas Stars captain and Olympic gold-medallist Jamie Benn, Stanley Cup champion Tyler Bozak and NHLer Jordie Benn.
That leaves the Grizzlies offence looking for scoring by committee with the likes of veterans de Vries, Leibl, Boston University-committed Jack Gorton and newcomers Jacksenn Hungle and Olivier Picard, who both showed well in preseason. Veteran forward Jackson Morehouse, meanwhile, was traded this week to the Cowichan Valley Capitals for future considerations.
The Grizzlies went 29-25 in the 2021-22 BCHL regular season to place fifth in the Coastal Conference before losing to the fourth-seed Langley Rivermen in the first round of the playoffs. “We are optimistic because this group knows what it takes and how much fun it can be at the end of the season and in the playoffs when it all comes together. But knowing what it takes and doing it are two different things,” said Nanaimo GM and head coach Colin Birkas.