FRIDAY - WHAT A SEASON!

A HELL OF A RUN!

On Tuesday night the Olds Grizzlys' improbable and unpredicted run into the AJHL's Frozen Four came to grinding halt.

By now I'm sure you've read the stats and stories and have a pretty good handle of the game and the series - so I'll spare the details.

However, I will say this, the Grizzlys' poured their hearts and souls on to the ice in Game 4 of the Semi-Finals against the League's and the Nation's Top Ranked Spruce Grove Saints - and it was one of the best efforts I've seen from any team in a very long time.

I'll also give a genuine and heartfelt good luck to the Saints in their quest for the Enerflex, Doyle, and RBC cups.

There's no doubt in my mind they'll be in Victoria come may.

With all of that said, it's important to mention that the Olds Grizzlys weren't supposed to reach this Semi-Finals, in fact some thought they weren't supposed to reach the second round early on in the season.

But a team built on integrity, team chemistry and heart proved to be amongst the best in the league in the 2008-2009 season.

NOTEWORTHY
After Game 4 Grizzlys Coach Kevin Hasselberg talked glowingly about his team and in particular the leadership of Captain Curtis deBruyn.

"We were blessed with an extraordinary person in Curtis deBruyn. . . I'm going to miss that kid," said Hasselberg, "He was a hell of a captain and somebody you want your son to grow up to be like."

Hasselberg was equally impressed with the 08-09 Olds Grizzlys.

"They taught me as much as we could have taught them and they gave everything they had," he said, "Coach John Wooden defined success as your personal best and achieving what you could do and tonight and this season - this team was successful"

MOVING ON
For some the run to semi-finals was just a taste of what could potentially lie ahead for them in their Junior Hockey future - while for others it was a great way to cap off their AJHL careers.

Curtis deBruyn - A four year member of the Olds Grizzlys organization. A two year team Captain. In 2008-2009 deBruyn set career highs in goals (10), assists (38) , points (48) and Penalty Minutes (186). He was ranked 3rd in scoring amongst AJHL defensemen and was the highest scoring blue-liner the Grizzlys had seen in four seasons. His playoff numbers didn't fade down the stretch either, scoring 18 points, registering an average of 1.2 per game in the playoffs. deBruyn's leadership and motivational skills are beyond compare - he lead the team as if he was the oldest of 23 brothers, focusing on fun and leading by example both on and off the ice. (How this kid hasn't been committed to a school south of boarder yet, I'll never know)

Brance Orban - After joining the Grizzlys in 2006-2007 Orban is coming off his most memorable season in the AJHL. Scoring 37 goals (2nd in league) and 78 points (5th in league), Orban was a legitimate scoring threat night in and night out. One of three Alternate Captain's this season, he put up more points than any other Grizzly since way back in 2001-02 when Ryan Huddy scored 84. As if his regular season numbers weren't impressive enough - in his three post-season appearances with the Black and Gold, Orban was a point per game player in the playoffs. (Orban heads to Bemidji State University - a school rich in Grizzly success, every former member of the Black and Gold to head to Bemidji has put up 40 or more goals)


Shadoe Stoodley - Stoodley transformed his game in 2008-2009. Last season Stoodley put up 26 points in 47 games and was more an enforcer notching 216 PIM. This season he put up 21 goals and 25 helpers, earning more than a point per game. One can only imagine his offensive output should he have not missed a handful of games due to injury. Stoodley scored 8 goals and 12 points in the playoffs in '09 and as another Alternate Captain, his quiet leadership on and off the ice will be missed. (Though nothing has been confirmed, there's rumors Stoodley may head to Mount Royal next year.)

Wade Bergman - Bergman's size has never stymied the offensive defenseman. The 5'7'', 150 lbs Bergman was the 2007-2008 Rookie of the Year in the AJHL and averaged .7 points per game in his brief stint with the Black and Gold. His intensity and ability to breeze through the Neutral Zone will be missed next year. (Bergman heads to Minnesota-Duluth next season to join the Bulldogs - yes the same UMD that former NHLer Brett Hull and current Vancouver Canucks' standout Mason Raymond call their Alma Mater)

Matt Tanordi - An injury plagued season really hampered Tanordi in showing Olds what he could offer. That is, until the post-season. Not known for his offensive numbers, Tanordi's aggressive nature along the boards and behind the oppositions net was critical to the success of the Grizzlys in the playoffs. Tanordi finished the regular season with 5 goals and 5 points in 26 games. (Tanordi will attend RPI next season - so you know he's one smart kid. Joe Juneau went to RPI and not only did he go on to enjoy a great NHL career but he's also a rocket scientist.)

Carey Koroluk - Koroluk brought heart and intensity to every shift. After two seasons with the Calgary Royals, Koroluk joined the Olds Grizzlys in 2008-2009 and in my opinion really furthered the development of future grinders Cale Wright and Tanner Dion by leading the way on the ice. He could kill Penalties single handedly, using his speed to dance around the ice every so often would creating short-handed scoring chances because of it. (No word on what Koroluk has planned for next year.)

Ryan Cornforth - Cornforth joined the Grizzlys in December and really provided size on the blue-line. The 6'1'' 210 lbs defenseman also showed his flair for offense in the post-season, most notably in the Semi-Finals against Spruce Grove. (Cornforth started the season with the Augustana Vikings in the ACAC, no word if he plans to head back to school next year.)


ON A PERSONAL NOTE
During the broadcast sign off after Game 4 I said, "If I'm sad it's over, I can't imagine what the players feel like."

After the playoff run - I took a few days away from the blog - it was nice. I managed to eat a meal or two with my family for the first time since February and catch a few WHL and Calgary Flames games (since when do they suck?).

But all 2 of my regular readers will be thrilled to hear I'm now back at the Grind, after all, Spring Camp starts next week.

A LONG SEASON DESERVES A FEW THANK YOUS

1. First and foremost thank-you to the 2008-2009 Grizzlys who proved to me and the rest of the league that a teamed built on the values of hard work, team unity and having fun (you only need to catch their pre-game work out to see that those kids were having fun) can really do damage in the AJHL.
2. Thank You to Coach Kevin, Coach Bailer and Coach Olsen who never once treated Galen and I like "the media". I always felt welcome on the bus, during the pre and post game meals, and around the team in general. I can tell you from experience, that's not how all teams work and it made covering the team a real treat.
3. Thanks to Robb Hunter of the Robb Hunter.com - who when asked if he'd mind if I stole his blog idea replied by saying, "I don't mind at all, so long as you don't call it the Robb Hunter.com"
4. Thanks to Galen and 96.5 CKfm for allowing me to jump in mid-season.
5. Thanks to the parents of the players who read this blog. It's weird that they do but weirder still that they tell me they enjoy it.
6. And a big thanks to my wife and kids. They understand that following a team has always been my passion and come playoff time deal with a zombie who gets 4 hours of sleep a day. I think I saw them three times during the month of March and missed my son say "Hockey" for the first time.