Above Photo: Grizzlies player celebrate after their shootout win against Coquitlam on January 3rd (Photo: Kyle Robinson)
Victoria, BC ~ The Victoria Grizzlies roll into the All Star Weekend with a five game win streak and a chance to get a much deserved weekend off (except for several players heading Salmon Arm) before the final two and a half months of action heading into the post season.
This year’s BCHL All Star Weekend is taking place in Salmon Arm, BC from the Silverbacks home “Rogers Rink”. Victoria’s Chase Pirtle, Oliver Auyeung-Ashton and Tobias Pitka will all be making the trek to the festivities with both Pirtle and Auyeung-Ashton being a part of the All Star game, representing the Coastal Conference on Saturday at 5:30 for the Skills Competition and 7:30 for the Tournament. All three Grizzlies will play in the “Prospects Game” which goes on Friday at 7:30 PM.
Heading into the break Chase Pirtle is more than a deserving first time All Star as he currently sits fourth in the BCHL with his 44 points in 33 games. He is also riding the longest current point streak in the BCHL at nine games during which he has 15 points (3-12-15). Chase is enjoying his second season with the Grizzlies after capturing the BCHL Rookie of the Year award last year. He is just four points away for 100 in his career with just 87 appearances.
Oliver Auyeung-Ashton (another former BCHL Rookie of the Year) is in the midst of a spectacular third season with the Grizzlies. With a 10-2-2 record, the Coquitlam native started the year by not losing in regulation until December 6th (8-0-1). The Colgate commit holds a .916 SV% and 2.48 GAA in 15 appearances this season forming a formidable duo with Kyle Kelsey in the Grizzlies goal. This will be Auyeung-Ashton’s second All Star game (2023).
Tobias Pitka will be representing the Coastal Conference at the Top Prospects game for the second year in a row. The big Slovakian has been all that the Grizzlies have hoped for when they signed him as a 17 year old before last year. After a strong rookie season that saw him pick up five goals and 19 points, Pitka has already crushed those numbers in half the games. At the break Pitka has nine goals and 20 points in 23 games after missing time representing team Slovakia at the World Junior Championships in Ottawa.
The Grizzlies also originally had rookie defenseman Dan D’Alessandro slated to take part in the Top Prospects game as well, however he is unable attend due to injury. The Grizzlies also would like to recognize alumni Drew Hockley who certainly would have been a part of the All Star game. The Kentville, Nova Scotia native was called upon early and is currently playing with Quinnipiac University of the ECAC in the NCAA.
The Grizzlies will be back in action on January 25th when the Langley Rivermen are in town with the Grizzlies looking to continue their hot play as of late. There will also be a free of charge skate with the players following the game. Tickets are available HERE and as always local youth are free of charge when accompanied by an adult thanks to Maxxam Insurance. Limit of two per adult.