The Victoria Grizzlies and Alberni Valley Bulldogs players will be body-slamming each other as usual in the pursuit of the puck tonight at Weyerhaeuser Arena.
But nine of them will be in common cause on the Coastal Conference team against the Interior Conference in the Top Prospects Game on Jan. 14 at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton as part of the 60th anniversary B.C. Hockey League all-star weekend.
Forwards Ellis Rickwood, Matthew Wood, defenceman Eli Barnett and goaltender Kyle Kelsey are the Grizzlies selected for the Coastal Conference team. Forwards Mirko Buttazzoni, Ethan Bono, blue-liners Emanuelson Charbonneau, Braden Blace and goaltender Hobie Hedquist are the Bulldogs who made the grade.
The other player from an Island Division team selected is forward Karter McNarland of the Powell River Kings. No Nanaimo Clippers or Cowichan Valley Capitals were picked.
The rosters consist of players selected through the coaches’ picks, fan voting for the 60th anniversary all-star weekend, NHL Central Scouting listed and watch-listed players, and players selected by B.C.-based NHL scouts. Players born in 2001 were not considered for the 40 spots since they are no longer eligible for the NHL draft.
The preponderance of Grizzlies and Bulldogs speaks for those organizations, say coaches.
“Alberni Valley is a deep team with guys who can score,” said Grizzlies head coach and GM Craig Didmon.
“They are a solid club with a lot of returnees who know each other. And we’ve got the players, too.”
The Grizzlies (12-13) will try to get back on the winning track in Port Alberni tonight against the Bulldogs (12-8-3) after losing their last three games and going 3-7 in their last 10.
The Grizzlies are 2-2 against Alberni Valley this season.
