Joining the Grizzly pack is a dream come true for Cole Pickup.

B次元官网网址淚 grew up playing in this rink,B次元官网网址� Pickup said during hockey practice at Bear Mountain arena. B次元官网网址淚 grew up watching the Salsa and Grizzlies play here.B次元官网网址�

He started playing at six years-old with Juan de Fuca minor hockey in Colwood. Between those early days of JDF minor hockey and his start with the Victoria Grizzlies Junior A club, Pickup played two years in major midget. At 15 he played for the Thunderbirds and the following year the team changed its name to the Royals.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a weird feeling watching the (Grizzlies) when you are young thinking the players are so old and now I am on the team,B次元官网网址� said Pickup, one of the three 17 year olds on the team. While this is his first full season with the Grizzlies, Pickup started last year cracking the roster during playoffs.

B次元官网网址淐ole is pretty gifted offensively,B次元官网网址� said Scott Hawthrone, Grizzlies associate coach. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 a young guy on a fairly skilled team.B次元官网网址�

Pickup, also a Grade 12 student at Belmont secondary school, started on the fourth line and worked his way up to the second line.

Pickup came out strong offensively, Hawthorne said, but the teen is steadily developing his defensive skills.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 had to learn a lot and learn that itB次元官网网址檚 not just all offensive on the ice,B次元官网网址� Hawthorn said.

Pickup hopes to someday secure a scholarship and play hockey on a college team.