The Revelstoke Grizzlies have been busy ahead of the trade deadline.
The Junior B team picked up four new players to bolster the roster.
Jordan Robertson, who joined the Grizzlies a few weeks ago from the Grand Forks Border Bruins, has now played five games with the Grizzly den.
“I think his numbers, they speak for themselves,” said coach Ryan Parent.
Robertson has four points in five games with the Grizzlies. He had 36 points with the Bruins over 22 games before he joined Revelstoke this season.
“We expect him to be productive with us as well,” said Parent. “He’s been good here. We’ve enjoyed having him so it’s been a good start for him.”
Also joining the Grizzlies is Whistler’s Owen Hart. The Grizzlies acquired Hart via trade for Kael Norman with the Princeton Posse.
“I think Owen fits in great,” said Parent. “He’s been a really hard-nosed player, really effective on the forecheck. I think an exciting player for us and he brings a lot of energy to our team.”
In two game with the Grizzlies, Hart has one point.
Evan Simpson, a 6’3″ defenceman, joined the Grizzlies from the Melfort Mustangs of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL).
Parent said he was a good player in the Midget AAA league last year.
“I believe he’ll be a good support for our back end,” he said.
David Lenzin returned to the Grizzlies from the Notre Dame Hounds of the SJHL.
He played 13 games with the Grizzlies last season and was a part of the team’s top line, with 14 points in 13 games.
“He’s a really good two-way players,” said Parent. “He’ll certainly solidify an offensive core.”
Neither Lenzin nor Simpson have laced up with the Grizzlies yet this season.
In the trade flurry, the Grizzlies moved playing rights of Terrance Josephson to Mission in the Pacific Junior Hockey League and Mitch Lavoie to the Richmond Sockeye of the PJHL.
The Grizzlies have had a tough season so far and are 15-5-1-3. They are fresh off a 4-1 win in 100 Mile House last weekend, on the heels of a 5-3 loss to the Kamloops Storm.
“I didn’t like our game that night,” said Parent of the loss to Kamloops. “I thought we knew we needed to be better. It was not our best game.”
Parent said he was happy with how his team rebounded, describing their play as disciplined and resilient.
The Grizzlies face the Kelowna Chiefs (12-11-1-2) at 7 p.m. tonight at the Forum.
“This will be our last game at home for a long time,” said Parent. “We obviously want to ensure our home record continues to be steady.”
The Grizzlies are currently second with 34 points and a number of games in hand in the Doug Birks Division of the KIJHL.
The Chase Heat are at the top of the leaderboard with 35 points, while the 100 Mile Wranglers sit in third with 33 points.
“It’s very tight and you have to be on. Every game is like a playoff game,” said Parent. “It’s starting to get thicker now … and it’ll get thicker into the new year so every game you gotta be ready to play.”
Tonight, the Grizzlies will be supporting the Community Connections with their Sock Toss.
Fans are encouraged to bring donations of new socks and mittens and to throw them on the ice after the Grizzlies score their first goal.
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