The points have obviously added up in the standings for the Victoria Grizzlies, who continue to lead the Island Division of the B.C. Hockey League, and so, too, do the scholarship commitments.
The Grizzlies— who lost 6-2 to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on the road on Saturday night — are soon expected to announce at least two more commitments to American universities or colleges, which would bring the total up to 10.
“Schools are nipping on our tails again. A lot of our guys are getting good feedback.” said Grizzlies head coach Craig Didmon. “That’s what this organization is after, that’s the goal, to get as many scholarships as possible and it’s great to see all the interest from the schools.
“Every game that we play in there are a couple of guys [scouts or school reps] waiting to talk to our guys. I think we’re at eight scholarships now and we hope to be at 12 by the end of the season.”
The word is forwards Travis Stephens and Mark McLellan are both on the verge of confirming their next stop in their hockey futures.
“Jaden Schmeisser is close to committing, as well,” Didmon said of his defenceman.
Defenceman Jacob Kearley and forward Cole Pickup are getting attention, as is goaltender Nic Renyard.
Those Grizzlies already committed include Alec Dillon (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute), Brandon Egli (Massachusetts), triplets Leo, Gerry and Myles Fitzgerald (Bemidji State), Rory McGuire (Colgate), Mitch Meek (Clarkson) and Jesse Schwartz (Connecticut).
On the ice Saturday, the Grizzlies fell behind on first-period goals from Craig Martin and Kurt Gosselin and never really recovered. Scott Clark, Justin Georgeson, Mitch Owsley and Darian Henry also scored for the Bulldogs, while Connor LaCouvee tended the net for Alberni Valley.
Garrett Forster and Schmeisser replied for he Grizzlies, who will get back at it this afternoon as the Surrey Eagles visit The Q Centre (formerly Bear Mountain Arena) at 2 p.m. Victoria will end its regular season in a home-and-home series against Cowichan Valley next weekend.
mannicchiarico@timescolonist.com
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