OLDS — The Olds Grizzlys have announced that two more players have signed letters of intent with the team for the 2023-24 Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) season.
They are 17-year-old defencemen Murray Kanerva and Callan Valstar, both of whom played for the NWCAA U18 AAA Flames this past season. They’re both Calgary residents.
On the Elite Prospects website, both players are listed as standing six feet tall and weighing 174 pounds.
In 33 games, Kanerva scored six goals and picked up eight assists for 14 points. He spent 12 minutes in the penalty box.
In the playoffs, Kanerva scored scored two goals in eight games. He was penalized for a total of 10 minutes.
Grizzlys head coach and general manager Scott Atkinson praised both players on the team’s website.
“Murray first drew our attention last season when he was playing for the U16 AAA Flames, and our local scouts developed a relationship with him and his family,” the site says.
“Kanerva has been engaged with our team both on and off the ice and we find him to be a highly competitive, intelligent, team-first player. Those three attributes are the ingredients we are looking for in a Grizzly.
“Murray is goal-oriented, and we believe his development will only continue to trend towards both his personal and our team goals for success.
“We are very pleased Murray chose the Grizzlys to continue his hockey journey and we welcome him and his family to the Black and Gold.”
This past season, Valstar scored five goals and picked up 13 assists for 18 points in 37 games. He logged 72 minutes in the penalty box.
In the playoffs, he picked up six assists in eight games and was penalized for a total of 10 minutes.
On the Grizzlys’ website, head coach and general manager Scott Atkinson says, “Callan is a player we have had the pleasure of working with over past couple of seasons, both at our camps and at practice.
“His growth as a player has been consistent throughout our recruitment process, and his ability to make good decisions under pressure, make a solid first pass, or to skate the puck out of danger will enhance our team’s offensive play.
“On the defensive side of the puck, we like his positioning, gap control and his physical play.”
