Like father, like son.
The Victoria Grizzlies certainly hope so.
Stephen Konroyd and Chase Dafoe are two rookies at the B.C. Hockey League team’s training camp at Juan de Fuca Arena who are quickly showing they have what it takes to make the jump to Junior A.
Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have their bloodlines as well. With dads — Steve Konroyd and Byron Dafoe — who played more than a decade in the NHL, flying under the radar at a BCHL training camp is a little tough to do.
But you won’t find the sons trying to keep a low profile — when you’re trying to make a team heavy on skilled forwards, the opposite is true.
“I’m having a blast and this is a very good team with a great coaching staff, so I’m just going out there trying my best and learning a lot,” said the Chicago-born Konroyd, who comes to Victoria after a strong season with the Team Illinois U-18 squad in the U.S. High Performance Hockey League.
Konroyd’s father spent most of his 895 NHL games as a member of the Calgary Flames. He also had stints with the New York Islanders, Hartford Whalers, Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks, where he is currently employed as the ’Hawks game host on NBC/WGN broadcasts.
Even though the elder Konroyd was a solid, stay-at-home defenceman, Stephen, soon to be 18, flies up and down the wing, willing to hit anything that moves.
“I consider myself a power forward who likes to hit and sees the ice well,” said Konroyd, who had 43 penalty minutes in 18 games with the Team Illinois U-18s last season.
“But even though he was a D-man, my dad is always offering me tips after every game, and it’s great having someone who has played the game at a real high level offering you tips,” Konroyd said.
Konroyd hadn’t been born while his father was patrolling the blue line in the NHL, but he’s aware of how his old man’s pro career went.
“Oh, I’ve seen the videos — especially of the good fights and stuff — so I’m aware of how things went in the NHL for him.”
At 16, Chase Dafoe is a little young to remember dad’s time between the pipes in the NHL.
Raised in the Comox Valley, goalie Byron Dafoe played junior for the Juan de Fuca Whalers of the B.C. Junior Hockey League before heading to Portland and Prince Albert in the WHL. He went on to suit up for 415 NHL games for Washington, Los Angeles, Boston and Atlanta.
Even though Byron racked up 171 NHL wins in net, Chase is a play-making centre who prefers putting the puck in the net rather than keeping it out. Although, it wasn’t always that way.
“I wanted to play goal when I was younger, but both my mom and dad quickly said ‘no way’ so that was the end of that,” Dafoe said with a laugh.
He played his first season of major-midget hockey last season with the Okanagan Rockets, as dad now runs a custom home electrical business in Kelowna.
Dafoe put up seven goals and 12 assists in 40 games and knows it will be tougher to put up points as a 16-year-old in the BCHL.
“Sure, as a 16-year-old you’re going up against much bigger guys, but I’m just going to work my hardest and play to my strengths. And if it doesn’t work out this year, then for sure next season,” added Dafoe, who attended Okanagan Mission Secondary last year and plans to go to Belmont Secondary in Langford this year.
As a member of the major-midget Rockets, Dafoe made a trip to Victoria last season to face the South Island Royals so he’s no stranger to the area.
“My dad, of course, loves the area and spent time here in junior so he had no problem with me coming here. And we heard the Grizzlies are a great organization on and off the ice, so I jumped at the chance to come try to make the team.”
At 16, it might be a long shot, but Dafoe has impressed so far and survived the first round of cuts on Wednesday night.
“He’s very talented and has a good IQ for the game,” said Grizzlies GM and head coach Craig Didmon.
“And he has gotten quicker over the off-season and is showing a lot of promise.”
Konroyd was scouted by Didmon last season at a showcase tournament near Chicago.
“He’s a real student of the game and has a strong skill set,” Didmon said.
“I expect over time he will grow into a premier forward in this league.”
Konroyd, Dafoe and the rest of the Grizzlies wrapped up training camp Thursday night with the annual intra-squad game.
Now they turn their attention to the BCHL preseason, which begins tonight with the first of a home-and-home set with the Clippers at Nanaimo Ice Centre. The second game goes Saturday at 5 p.m. at Juan de Fuca Arena.
The Grizzlies open the regular season Sept. 8 in Powell River against the Kings.
