Cleve Dheensaw / Times Colonist
AUGUST 19, 2018 06:00 AM
A veteran and deep Victoria Grizzlies team opens its B.C. Hockey League training camp Monday at Juan de Fuca Arena.
Among the notable players, defenceman Carter Berger was invited to the Anaheim Ducks’ NHL rookie camp in the spring and new-recruit American forward Riley Hughes is a seventh-round 2018 draft pick of the New York Rangers. But nobody comes in with more expectation riding on his shoulders than newly minted captain Alex Newhook, who is projected for the first round of the 2019 NHL draft.
It is that balance between the personal career ambitions and wider team goals that will be so intriguing about Newhook’s sophomore season with the Grizzlies after winning BCHL and Canadian Junior A rookie of the year awards and only just failing to win the BCHL scoring title because of a late-season injury.
“I have a big responsibility as captain, and I just want to focus on the team,” said St. John’s native Newhook, who arrives on the Island today.
But the pro scouts will be focused on him.
“There may be a bit of pressure on the personal side, but I’ve always played with pressure. I’m not worried about it too much,” said Newhook, who was tabbed for big things from a young age.
The Grizzlies head into training camp with 33 forwards, 19 defencemen and four goaltenders. That will be cut to 27 forwards, 18 defencemen and four goalies following Tuesday’s session. The Grizzlies will dress 24 forwards, 12 blue-liners and three goaltenders for their intra-squad game on Thursday at 7 p.m. and will be down to 18 forwards, 10 defencemen and three goalies for the first preseason game on Friday in Nanaimo against the Clippers and the second, next Saturday at Juan de Fuca at 5 p.m., also against the Clippers.
But the second week of camp, GM and head coach Craig Didmon said he will be down to 15 forwards, eight defencemen and three goaltenders.
There may be a few surprises in camp, but this year’s roster looks to be set in many ways.
Nico Somerville and the mobile Berger return as third-year defencemen. Berger brings size to a blue line that also includes six-foot-four new recruits Brady MacDonald and Jeremie Bucheler, and six-foot-two returnee Cole Noble.
“We will have a big, heavy, puck-moving defensive corps,” Didmon said.
Berger especially will be looking for a breakout campaign.
“He has two good NCAA scholarship offers on the table and could have gone NCAA this season, but decided to play one more season of junior,” Didmon said.
Expect relentless pressure up front provided by forwards Newhook, Hughes and veteran Cam Thompson, with returnees Marty Westhaver and Ryan Nolan perhaps on the brink of breakouts.
“We have a quick and skilled nucleus that can go four lines deep and create offence,” Didmon said. “We are always going to be pushing the opposition.”
Goaltending, however, has been an issue with returnee and 2017 World Junior A Challenge Canada West team standout Zack Rose having off-season surgery and out until early December.
That leaves the load until then on returnee Kurtis Chapman, who showed well late last season, with a battle emerging in camp to backup Chapman for the early part of the season.
That seems about the only concern as camp opens on what is expected to be a big season for the Grizzlies. “This is the calm before the storm,” Didmon said.
“I am happy with the talent we have assembled. I like what we have on paper and expectations are high. We have some highly rated players, but they have to jell as a club.
“There is optimism, but, as we all know, you can’t take anything for granted in sports.”
Schedule for Victoria Grizzlies training camp. All sessions at Juan de Fuca Arena.
MONDAY
4:30 p.m. Group 1 practice
5:30 p.m. Group 2 practice
7:45 p.m. Team Bozak vs. Team Jordie Benn
8:35 p.m. Team Bozak vs. Team Jamie Benn
TUESDAY
4:30 p.m. Group 2 practice
5:30 p.m. Group 1 practice
8 p.m. Team Jordie Benn vs. Team Jamie Benn
9 p.m. Team Jordie Benn vs. Team Bozak
WEDNESDAY
2:30 p.m. Group 1 practice
4 p.m. Group 2 practice
7 p.m. Team Jamie Benn vs. Team Bozak
8 p.m. Team Jamie Benn vs. Team Jordie Benn
THURSDAY
2:30 p.m. Group 2 practice
3:45 p.m. Group 1 practice
7 p.m. Intrasquad game
