🚨 Big trades for the Olds Grizzlys ahead of the new season! 🏒🔥 New faces in the den as training camp starts soon. 🐻💪 #Olds #AJHL #Alberta
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Exciting Changes for the Olds Grizzlys as Training Camp Kicks Off
Olds, Alberta – The Olds Grizzlys are gearing up for the 2024-25 Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) season, and they’ve made some key moves ahead of their training camp, which starts on August 23. With the regular season set to begin on September 13, the team has announced several trades that aim to bring more experience to the roster.
Roster Changes
In a recent announcement, Kevin Watson, the Grizzlys’ manager of business operations, explained that these trades are part of a strategy to strengthen the team with seasoned players.
Two players, both born in 2005, are leaving the Grizzlys after brief stints with the team. Forward Adam Pinsent has been traded to the Notre-Dame Hounds of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) for future considerations. Pinsent played in 14 games last season and notched one goal during his time with the Grizzlys.
Another young player, Devun Olfert, has been sent to the Dauphin Kings of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), also for future considerations. Olfert appeared in 37 games last season, contributing two goals and three assists for a total of five points.
New Faces in the Grizzlys’ Den
As part of these roster changes, the Grizzlys have welcomed three new players. Will Robinson, a 20-year-old right winger and center, has been acquired from the Hearst Lumberjacks of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL). Robinson had a solid season last year, scoring five goals and adding four assists in 24 games.
Another addition to the team is forward Bailey Shortall, an 18-year-old who comes from the Truro Bearcats of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League (MHL). Shortall put up 23 points in 34 games last season with the West Kent Steamers.
The Grizzlys have also strengthened their goaltending by bringing in Ashton Sadauskas from the Kam River Fighting Walleye of the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL). Sadauskas, 20, hails from Parksville, B.C., and posted impressive stats last season, with a 2.42 goals-against average, a .909 save percentage, and four shutouts in 32 games.
Looking Ahead to the Season
The Grizzlys will kick off their training camp on Friday, August 23, with the annual Black and Gold game scheduled for Sunday, August 25, at 5 p.m. Fans can catch their first glimpse of the team in action during their pre-season home game on Wednesday, August 28, when they face the new Devon Xtreme. The regular season opener is set for Friday, September 13, as the Grizzlys host the Drumheller Dragons in the first game of a home-and-home series.
With these new additions, the Grizzlys are looking to make a strong start to the season and build momentum as they aim for success in the AJHL.