Grizzlies’ rookie defenceman brings speed, skill west from Manitoba
Because of his Icelandic heritage, it’s the first sports question Dayne Finnson is asked these days.
But, no, he isn’t much of a soccer fan, he says — his ancestral homeland’s breathless run through Euro 2016 notwithstanding.
This is a true blue Canadian hockey player, and the mobile blue-liner could be the answer to dramatically expanding the ice for the Victoria Grizzlies this season in the B.C. Hockey League.
“I like to jump up in the play, I have good speed and vision, but I can also play solid physically,” said the five-foot-10, 190-pound native of Arborg, Manitoba.
So perhaps it was only fitting he was on the ice this weekend for pre-training camp scrimmage sessions at Westhills Arena with an informal group of players led by Tyson Barrie of the Colorado Avalanche, one of the prototype undersized but quick, puck-moving defencemen in the NHL.
Finnson shot back an eyes-wide ‘I only wish’ look when the style similarities were mentioned. He knows he’s a long way from that level, but players have role models they pattern themselves after.
One thing is for sure: Finnson returns to Victoria a more mature and self-assured player than the last time he was here in the Victoria Royals Western Hockey League rookie camp three years ago. He also attended rookie camp of the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks.
Finnson, who turns 19 on Oct. 1, got 10 games in with the Neepawa Natives of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League before playing the last two seasons at Salisbury Prep in Connecticut, scoring five goals and adding 12 assists for 17 points in 24 regular-season games last season.
Finnson’s Grade 12 graduating class from last spring at Salisbury has sent four players on to the current training camp of the BCHL’s Chilliwack Chiefs. Finnson’s connections directed him to the Grizzlies, where he is thought to be a good fit.
The personal goal for the season, as it is for almost every player in the BCHL, is to snare a U.S. collegiate NCAA athletic scholarship.
“I’m a little nervous but I’m more excited to get this started,” said Finnson.
Noting the Summer Olympics just ended and August is still in its full bloom, he added: “The hockey season starts really early now.”
Indeed, the Grizzlies no sooner open training camp this week than they are right into it with preseason games Wednesday against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs at Juan de Fuca Arena, Thursday against the Cowichan Valley Capitals in Duncan, Friday night against Cowichan Valley at Juan de Fuca Arena and Saturday against the Bulldogs in Port Alberni.
Finnson grew up on a farm near the Icelandic communities of Arborg and Gimli in Manitoba. His dad, David, is a farmer who played senior hockey, but his mom, Tracey, was just as helpful in his hockey progression because she is a power-skating and figureskating coach.
“My mom was very helpful in my hockey,” said Dayne, who came out of the Interlake Lightning triple-A bantam and triple-A midget programs.
The Grizzlies are hoping the ripple effects from that will flow into The Q Centre this season to help lift their blue line.