OLDS — The Olds Grizzlys have determined their roster for the upcoming – but abbreviated -- Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) season.
The eason is expected to run from about mid-March to late May this year. The team's first game is on March 13.
Several new players have joined the team. They include forward Stephen Rosier, defenceman Parker Scherr and goaltender Lowen Kenyon.
Rosier played for the Calgary Buffaloes U18 AAA team last season, scoring eight goals and notching 16 assists in 31 games.
He should be a bit of a familiar face to fans, having joined the team just before the AJHL season was paused.
Scherr signed a Letter Of Intent (LOI) with the team after playing for the OHA Edmonton U18 prep team.
Scherr is 6'2" and weighs about 175 pounds.
In five games this season, he notched two goals, three assists and racked up six penalty minutes.
Scherr is expected to play in all situations, including the power play and penalty kill.
“He almost made our team this year,” head coach and GM Scott Atkinson said earlier.
Kenyon, 16, played most recently for the Lloydminster U18 AAA Bobcats and was called up to the Grizzlys as their third goaltender.
Last season, he played in 19 games with Lloydminster U16 AAA Bobcats. During that time, his goals-against average was 1.55 and he had a .950 save percentage.
The Grizzlys have also announced that centre/right winger Joel Webb has signed an LOI to play for the team.
Webb, born in 2004, stands 5'9" and weighs 168 pounds. He most recently played the U18 AAA Lloydminster Bobcats.
In four games this season with the Bobcats, Webb scored three goals and obtained three assists for six points.
“Webb is a speedy forward who plays a 200- foot game,” a Grizzlys news release says. “He has a maturity to his game that not a lot of 2004 players have.
“He has the ability to turn a game with his physical play, timely scoring and his all -round ability to make others around him better.”
Departing the Grizzlys Den
The Grizzlys also announced the departure of three well-known players: Josh McNeil who served as the team’s captain, Brendan Rude and Payton MacDonald-Corea.
McNeil has been the longest serving Grizzly during the time the team has been owned by the Friends of the Grizzlys.
He has decided to retire and pursue other interests, including school and employment opportunities.
“Josh was the ultimate professional, leader and team-first guy," the Grizzlys website says. “Josh battled through some tough years in Olds and was always proud every time he put the Grizzlys Jersey on.
“Josh will be missed not only on the ice, in the dressing room but in the community of Olds as he represented the Grizzlys at many community events.
“We wish Josh all the best in his future and he will always be welcome back to the Sportsplex as a Grizzlys alumni.”
Rude, known by his teammates as “Ruder,” has also decided to hang up his skates. But he has not left the team altogether. He’s been helping Atkinson run Grizzlys skill development sessions.
“Ruder was the ultimate warrior and teammate who will be missed on the ice, in the dressing room and all his work in the community while representing the Grizzlys," the website says.
“Now a new member of the Grizzly alumni, we wish Ruder all the best in his future.”
MacDonald-Corea has left the team for personal reasons for the rest of this season. He is expected to return to the team in time for training camp in late August.
