Rick Stiebel
B次元官网网址 Staff
The number of past, present and future Victoria Grizzlies selected by National Hockey League teams speaks volumes about the organizationB次元官网网址檚 commitment to building better players on and off the ice, says team president Lance Black.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e more than a hockey team because we emphasize getting kids involved in the community and improving them on and off the ice,B次元官网网址� said Black, Victoria Grizzlies president for the past five years.
Everyone from Craig Didmon and his coaching staff to the teamB次元官网网址檚 trainers, skating instructor, sports psychologist, billet manager and support staff plays an integral role in player development and are totally devoted to working with kids, Black explained. B次元官网网址淒ave Warbach, our strength and conditioning coach formerly worked with the Minnesota Vikings. He is a zen master. ItB次元官网网址檚 unbelievable how kids are so in tune with him.B次元官网网址�
Black said heB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渢ruly humbledB次元官网网址� by having three current Grizzlies and another player set to join the team this season selected in the National Hockey League draft, which took place June 21 and 22 in Vancouver.
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Team captain Alex Newhook was taken sixteenth overall in the first round by the Colorado Avalanche. The 18-year-old Newfoundland native leads by example and has all the skill sets of an NHL player, Black noted. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 more than a hockey player. I think Colorado GM Joe Sakic sees a lot of himself in Alex. I think itB次元官网网址檚 going to be a great marriage.B次元官网网址�
Newhook may well have won the British Columbia Junor Hockey league scoring title as a 16-year-old if his season hadnB次元官网网址檛 been hampered by injury. Someone that young hasnB次元官网网址檛 achieved that since Paul Kariya did it 25 years ago, Black added.
B次元官网网址淗e sees the ice very well and can stickhandle in a phone booth,B次元官网网址� Black said regarding Chateaugay, Quebec native Alexander Campbell, taken 65th in the third round by the Nashville Predators. B次元官网网址淗e ran away with the scoring title and the next closest player was 18 points behind.B次元官网网址�
North Vancouverite Carter Berger, taken 106th by the Florida Panthers, has taken massive strides since he entered the league in 2016. B次元官网网址淗e might be the most underrated player in the draft,B次元官网网址� Black said. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 the best skater IB次元官网网址檝e seen in the BCJHL in years. The Panthers will be over the moon.B次元官网网址�
Although Black hasnB次元官网网址檛 had the opportunity to see Montreal Canadiens draft pick Jayden Struble play, he was impressed by the fact the Cumberland, Rhode Island native slated to play for the Grizzlies this year finished first in five of 16 tests at the NHL combine. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 a monster and is going to be a real asset to our team.B次元官网网址�
For more on the team and NHL draft choices, skate over to victoriagrizzlies.com
