So far, the Olds Grizzlys have signed five players and traded for one. Head coach and general manager Joe Murphy says they add lots of skill to the lineup.
The Grizzlys acquired 18-year-old Hoon Kim from the Whitecourt Wolverines. Hoon is six feet tall and weighs 161 pounds.
"As a 2000 (born player), he's already had two junior seasons under his belt. We wanted to acquire experience and athleticism on the back end and we did so with Hoon," Murphy said during an interview with the Albertan.
"(He has) good size, moves really well. He's got a lot of skill with the puck, so he'll add some skill back there as well."
Kim was acquired for future considerations, which could be determined next year, so the trade "won't impact our squad this year," Murphy added.
Of the signed players, two are defencemen and five are forwards.
The two signed defencemen are Brendan McBride of Sundre and Payton McDonald-Corea of St. Albert.
McBride is six feet 2 inches tall and weighs 176 pounds. He played Midget AAA with the Red Deer Optimist Chiefs and as an affiliated player (AP), got in four or five games with the Grizzlys this past season.
"(He was a) really good midget, really athletic," Murphy said. "He's going to be a good junior, so we're really lucky to land Brendan."
Murphy describes McDonald-Corea as a "young player."
"He'll be one of our 16-year-olds this year," Murphy said. "Again, really high ceiling. We're committing to him young. He's got the athleticism to play at this level; he's got the game to do it. He'll develop and grow into a really good athlete in the future with the Grizzlys as well."
Of the five forwards signed as of last week by the Grizzlys, two — Colton Koran of Carstairs and A.J. Belanger of Calgary — have been APs with the Grizzlys.
Murphy notes Koran is another 16-year-old. The Elite Prospects website lists him as five feet 11 inches tall, weighing 170 pounds.
"We're committing to Colton as an '03," Murphy said. "(He) can play fast, (has a) really big frame, really hard to play against, yet nice young player."
Belanger is listed as standing five feet 10 inches tall and weighing 170 pounds.
"A.J.'s just a really aggressive, tenacious player," Murphy said. "(He's a) centreman; wins draws, wins puck battles and we're really excited to get A.J."
The club also signed 17-year-old Noah Hackett of Ponoka.
He stands six feet tall, weighs 170 pounds and played with Leduc in the Alberta Midget AAA Hockey League.
Murphy notes Hackett was not only the team's leading scorer but also their captain.
"(He has a) really high skill set, good frame," Murphy said. "Again, a centreman, a right-handed shot. We wanted to kinda add those pieces to our club, so got Noah."
The Grizzlys also signed Tye Scherger of Battleford, Sask.
At five feet 10 inches and weighing just 157 pounds, Scherger is not a huge presence, but Murphy thinks he'll fit in well.
"He played in the Saskatchewan Midget (AAA Hockey) League. Just a really responsible player again. High tenacity in him, compete around the puck, plays pretty physical," he said.
The third forward signed is a bit of a gamble.
Greg Nelson of Veteran Alta., played in the Northern Alberta Xtreme hockey program. The 17-year-old is six feet tall and weighs 174 pounds.
"An '02 forward; again, a year early, but a really aggressive player. He's going to be a very good hockey player. He is a very good hockey player," Murphy said.
The big question with Nelson though, is will he stay at the junior A level? He's been drafted by the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds.
Murphy remains hopeful Nelson will indeed play for the Grizzlys even though the WHL is usually considered the more direct route to a possible NHL career.
"He's kinda going down that WHL path, but he has committed to us in case that doesn't happen and (is) excited to be here. So Greg might be kind of one of those players that snuck under the radar, considering he was a WHL pick, but we're lucky to get him," Murphy said.
"He has indicated to them that if he does not make their team, that he is going to come play with Olds. So if he doesn't play in Seattle, he's committed to go the (NC)AA route and therefore, we kind of fall under that frame for him, so we're plan B of sorts, but we're pretty high on his list."
