The Olds Grizzlys lost a valued defenceman, although head coach Joe Murphy says it was expected and management is confident he can be replaced.
Adam Kolcon of Pittsford, N.Y., has committed to attend school and play hockey for the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Kolcon, born in 2000, scored 17 points in 34 games last season for the Grizzlys.
"Adam, being an American player, we knew that when the season wrapped up that he was going to attend tryouts down south, perhaps for junior. Then it came up that he committed to (the) air force, so we're super happy for Adam, he's a great athlete.
"We're happy that he came through the Olds Grizzlys program; he certainly played a lot here," Murphy said during an interview with the Albertan.
Murphy said there was a lot to like about Kolcon.
"(He's a) very athletic and skilled defenceman, so he moved well. He was very creative with the puck, he liked carrying it," he said.
"He was a modern defenceman, right? So you know, he didn't throw the puck away out of panic, he was pretty poised with it. He was a great player.
"Obviously any time an athlete like Adam moves on, yeah, there's a hole in your lineup, but we were preparing all summer for the eventuality that Adam was not returning to the Grizzlys anyway."
