Despite a 3-1 loss for the Olds Grizzlys last Tuesday evening against the Drumheller Dragons, head coach Kevin Willison said he is encouraged by the potential of this year's rookie-filled team.
“It was actually a pretty good game. I was pretty impressed with the guys who came out and played.”
Forward Brandon Sloan scored the team's lone goal, with an assist from Tanner Dunkle.
“It's obviously a young, rookie group, but we're trying to fit the pieces in to match the puzzle. We're not too concerned about the wins and losses during exhibition season,” Willison said.
“The two rookie goaltenders played pretty well during that game. Hometown boy Ethan Jemieff was stellar between the pipes, and Cody Boeckman came in and finished the second half.
“We can't blame him on any of the goals there, they were pretty good goals,” he said, adding that power plays were in effect when the goals were scored against Boeckman.
Willison said the team is looking for a solid core of six or seven players to create the chemistry that will give the Grizzlys the drive they are known for.
“We're giving rookies a lot of ice time so they can show us what they can do. We've got some pretty good depth coming back, with Taylor Bourne and Brandon Clowes, and Spencer Dorowicz are hopefully going to have some pretty good chemistry this year.”
He said expects 150 points to be derived from these three players over the 2011-12 hockey season, noting that their individual stats were quite high last year.
“Bourne had 60 points last year, and Clowes had 40. Dorowicz, I'm kind of looking for him to have a breakout season this year.
“We've got some pretty good depth from last year, and with the experience a lot of those young guys got last year, I'm expecting some big things from them.”
Cohesion as a team is something Willison said he is anticipating now that many of the team members have played a season together.
“They know what to expect against opponents, and the commitment and dedication it takes on the ice to be successful.
“I'm actually getting pretty excited for the season. I'm looking for these guys to really step it up. We need some big leadership from our two- and three-year guys.”
Only five veterans were in the line-up for the Friday night game, with Cody Boeckman as the starting goalie against the Calgary Mustangs in Olds.
“It's going to be a real test for these young guys. We've got a pretty young roster.”
The Grizzlys played two games against the Mustangs, one home on Friday evening and one in Calgary on Saturday, but due to an early press deadline, no results could be obtained.
