GRIZZLIES PICK UP SOME MUSCLE

Look to the Victoria Grizzlies to be spending more time in the penalty box this season — at least when it comes to Joey McEwan. The latest acquisition signed for the upcoming campaign, McEwan is a forward with an edge. And the key here is edge.

In 31 games with the Beausejour Blades in Manitoba last season, McEwan had one goal, four assists, and 177 minutes in penalties.

“He’s not going to be a goal scorer,” Grizzlies coach Victor Gervais said. “He knows his role.”

The word around the B.C. Hockey League is that some of the Grizzlies’ favourite rivals, such as the Cowichan Valley Capitals, Nanaimo Clippers, and Powell River Kings, are all beefing up their rosters to help out young rookies.

“I’ve got to protect my kids,” Gervais said.

McEwan is happy to be taking on the job. A Kelowna native, McEwan left home at 15 to play Junior B in Banff, Alta. From there, he went to Junior B in the Kootenays, and on to Junior A in Manitoba with Selkirk and Beausejour. He heard about Victoria from buddy Craig Eisenhut who’s coming to the Grizzlies as part of a deal that sent Cam Reid to Westside last winter, and called Gervais about the chance to play his final year closer to home.

“I’m out there to protect the young players, and be a pest — like a Sean Avery kind of player.”

As far as style goes, McEwan said he’s followed in the footsteps of his older brother James, who has played in the Western Hockey League with Kelowna and Spokane, and is now shuffling between the ECHL and American Hockey League.

“It’s in our blood,” McEwan said. “We’re just really hard working, gritty players, and just bring heart to the game.”

Ice chips: The Grizzlies have traded flashy goalscorer Jonathan Milhouse to the Vernon Vipers for six-foot power forward Brian Elser, a 20-year-old New Yorker, who posted 22 points in 20 games last season playing junior in the States. … Fan favourite Tyler Matheson has also been dealt, going to the Prince George Spruce Kings for Alex Allan. The 20-year-old Allan’s 53 points were second in team scoring last season. From PG, Matheson was traded to the Grande Prairie Storm of the Alberta Junior Hockey League for Brooks Robinson. Matheson is reportedly planning to try out with the Saskatoon Blades.