OLDS — The Olds Grizzlys has new ownership and a (mostly) new coaching staff.
The Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) and the junior A team announced the changes Wednesday.
Calgary businessman Moe Jamal is the new principal owner of the AJHL team, along with former NHL player Jay Beagle, who played with the Washington Capitals. He will a supporting ownership role.
Beagle attended the Grizzlys’ awards banquet in February, serving as part of the hot stove lounge trio.
Tyson Soloski is now the new head coach of the Grizzlys, replacing Brad Tobin who was head coach for the past season. The Grizzlys’ assistant coach is Dylan Olsen.
Returning to the coaching staff is Grizzlys alumnus Mitch Visser, who will continue in his role as assistant coach after recently completing his first season behind the Grizzlys’ bench.
It's the end of an era for Friends of the Grizzlys, a group of former players and local business owners who took over the franchise in 2017, amid fears it would fold and be moved out of Olds.
FOTG managed the team for the past eight seasons.
Soloski, a 32-year-old Cochrane native, joins the Grizzlys from the Calgary International Hockey Academy (CIHA), where he led the U18 Prep team to the finals of the prestigious Circle K Classic in the 2024-25 season.
He also led the team to a 25-9-2 record this past season.
He also led the CIHA U17 team to a CSSHL championship in the 2023-24 season. During the 2022-23 season, he coached the Airdrie Xtreme to a U15 AAA championship, earning AEHL Coach of the Year honours.
Olsen, a 34-year-old former defenceman, played in the AJHL with Camrose, where he helped lead the team to a national championship appearance in 2007-08.
Olsen also represented Canada at the 2011 World Junior Championship, played NCAA hockey at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and skated in 124 NHL games with Chicago and Florida.
His coaching background includes serving as head coach of the Airdrie Stars U18 team and assistant coach with the CIHA U17 Prep team this past season.
Jamal, a dedicated entrepreneur with a passion for hockey development, is actively involved with the Calgary International Hockey Academy (CIHA), which operates U15 through U18 teams in the CSSHL.
The academy’s philosophy is built on the belief that hockey is more than just a sport, it’s a way of life that fosters dedication, discipline, and hard work, qualities that shape not just great athletes but great individuals.
“I have a deep love for the game and a strong commitment to developing young athletes,” Jamal said in a news release.
“Owning an AJHL franchise allows me to support these players in reaching their highest potential. I’m excited to be part of the Grizzlys, the Olds community, and to continue bringing high-level Junior A hockey to Central Alberta.”
“The Alberta Junior Hockey League and our member clubs are pleased to welcome Jay Beagle and Moe Jamal as the new ownership group of the Olds Grizzlys,” AJHL Commissioner Ryan Bartoshyk said in the news release.
“We are fortunate to integrate their infrastructure and player development experience to provide stability and growth within the community of Olds and look forward to their contributions to the success of our League.”
