Grizzlies Acquire Goalie Kurtis Chapman

The Victoria Grizzlies are pleased to announce they have acquired a veteran goaltender from the Calgary Mustangs of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

Kurtis Chapman 1998 born goaltender from Airdre, Alberta was acquired for a player development fee.

Grizzlies GM/Head Coach, Craig Didmon, decided to acquire Chapman, after learning that both of the Grizzlies current goalies would be off the roster for December. Starting goaltender Zach Rose, was chosen to represent Western Canada in the World Junior A Challenge and will now not be back until January, and Shawn Parkinson has been placed on the Injured Reserve.

“It is a tough situation as both goalies have played well in their rookie seasons, and continued to improve. Shawn has been fighting injuries over the last month and needs to rest and heal. We are very happy for Zach, however there are six games remaining before the break, so we felt we needed to bring in some stability,” said Didmon.

Chapman is a proven Jr . A goalie who led the Portage Terriers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League to a league championship last season. Chapman has also spent time in the Western League with the Regina Pats and the Kootenay Ice during the past three seasons.

“I like that he has experience with success. He has won at Midget and at the Junior A level,” added Didmon.

Chapman won a Provincial Championship with the UFA Bisons Midget AAA team taking them to the Telus Cup (Midget Nationals) in 2015.

Fans can expect to see Chapman in the net for both Grizzlies home games this weekend as they host the Nanaimo Clippers for their Teddy Bear toss on Saturday and then host the Division leading Powell River Kings on Sunday for a 1 pm start.

There is also a chance that Chapman may be in the lineup tonight versus the Cowichan Valley Capitals.