OLDS — As exhibition play continues, Olds Grizzlys head coach Brad Tobin is optimistic about the team’s potential, especially up front.
“I was impressed with quite a few players; especially up front. I think our forward group’s going to be pretty exciting to watch,” Tobin said during an interview with the Albertan.
He’d like to see a stronger D, though.
“Defensively I think is where maybe the weakness is right now. We don’t have many guys that have played junior hockey.
“So that’s going to be a work in progress throughout training camp here, moving into the season; trying to find some experience on the back end,” Tobin said.
He noted if necessary, those guys might be found through trades or cuts from other Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) or Western Hockey League (WHL) teams.
“We’re always on the phone with other GMs in our league and the WHL and other leagues, just trying to find guys that are looking for a home to play this season,” he said.
Tobin said the goal is to find “the right mix of guys who can move the puck, be offensive, but also (be) those guys that you need in those faceoffs late in games, that solidify the back end and basically help us move the puck up to the forwards as quick as we can, just to get on the offence.”
As of Wednesday, Aug. 28, the Grizzlys had four goaltenders in camp.
Included in that group were Thomas Samborski who backed up Aidan Comeau last season; Connor White, a Letter of Intent (LOI) signing last March; and Ashton Sadauskas, acquired in a trade earlier this year.
“So there’s going to be a competition, which I think we need in the pipes, moving forward,” Tobin said.
As of Wednesday, the team had 30 to 32 guys still around.
“Obviously there’ll be some guys that we’re going to have to cut pretty quick here, but there’s also going to be cuts from other teams, from the WHL, BCHL (British Columbia Hockey League) coming soon,” Tobin said.
“We’ve still got two weeks of training camp to just hammer a final roster, ready to go for opening night.”
Tobin said two big priorities are a strong compete level from the guys and leadership, especially among returning players.
“It’s been a good group so far,” Tobin said.
“The character from the returning guys has been huge, they want to be here. They want to obviously change the culture as well and put this team back to respectability.
“Good character kids is big,” he added. “I’ve been part of teams that, they love playing for each other, and those are the teams that seem to go far throughout the season and into playoffs.
“They do stuff together as a team and cliques don’t evolve among the group.
“So like I said, there’s some good character kids – the veterans and that – that are bringing some of the young guys along, so it’s going to be exciting.”
With a few cuts to go, it’s on the players to keep working hard and be the best they can be – on and off the ice – Tobin said.
“I keep telling these guys every day, put your best foot forward, because there’s always conversations behind closed doors amongst the staff with practice habits, in the game, just in the community, in gym sessions,” he said.
“It all gets evaluated to make that final decision.”
The six-game exhibition season, which began with the Grizzlys hosting the expansion Devon Xtreme Wednesday night, wraps up Saturday, Sept. 7 when the Grizzlys host the Canmore Eagles. Game time is 7 p.m.
The regular season begins Friday, Sept. 13 when the Grizzlys host the Drumheller Dragons at the Sportsplex. Game time that night is also 7 p.m.
