Victoria Grizzlies News

BAKER HAS GRIZZLIES COOKING UP WINS

BAKER HAS GRIZZLIES COOKING UP WINS

photo courtesy Jonathon Howe

January 15, 2010 Sharie Epp ©Times Colonist -

Look out for the long arm of Jake Baker.

At six-foot-five and growing, the 18-year-old has a telescopic reach with a hockey stick in his hand, and that’s not all the Victoria Grizzlies like about their big defenceman.

“He’s a smart player, he’s not afraid to be physical, and he’s got a hard shot,” said Grizzlies coach Victor Gervais, who’ll be relying on defensive stoppers this weekend. The Grizzlies are in Duncan to play the Cowichan Valley Capitals tonight, and then play host to the leagueleading Vernon Vipers tomorrow at Bear Mountain Arena.

“He’s a big guy back there. He plays against the top lines nearly every night.

“We wanted him from the beginning of the year.”

Baker started off the season with the Merritt Centennials, where he played 60 games last year. The Port Moody native requested a trade, and went to the Nanaimo Clippers. But after just eight games in Nanaimo, Baker was both shocked and excited to be sent to Victoria in exchange for Teal Burns and Todd Gebert.

It didn’t take him long to adjust.

“It was pretty easy to play with all the guys. It’s a good skilled team, and everyone works hard here.”

Although Baker wasn’t too forthcoming about his own work ethic, on or off the ice, Gervais didn’t have any reservations, particularly when describing how Baker came back from a knee injury before Christmas.

“I’ve never seen a kid work that hard,” Gervais said, recalling Baker’s hours on the bike in rehab. “You see that in the pros, but you don’t see it at the junior hockey level.

“He hasn’t really hit his stride yet, but once he gets that, he could be a prospect player in the NHL.”

Meanwhile, Baker is growing into his body, and plans to make his mark on the B.C. Junior Hockey League.

“I’ve never enjoyed hockey like I have in Junior A in the BCHL, and especially here,” he said, looking forward to this weekend’s games.

“I think Cowichan is on a roll now, and they’ll be tough. I think they’ve really improved,” Baker said, cautious about the ability of the opposition, but confident in the Grizzlies, even against Vernon. “I honestly think they’re beatable. If we have our good game, we can play them close. We can beat them.”

BEAR TRACKS: Already having played for three different teams this season, Baker was relieved when the BCHL trade deadline passed with barely a ruffle on Vancouver Island last Sunday. The only action of note had the Cowichan Valley Capitals trading veteran Anthony Perdicaro to the North Bay, Ont., Trappers. . . . Around the province, Prince George was the biggest mover, sending five players — Brooks Robinson has gone to Fort McMurray, Alta. — to other teams. . . . Former Grizzlies captain Tyler Bozak scored his first NHL goal last night, poking the puck between a defenceman’s legs to set up a shot that proved to be the winner in a 4-0 Toronto Maple Leafs victory over Philadelphia. Bozak also had an assist in the third NHL game of his career.