Grizzlies have a lot riding on Rose, Rome and Newhook
Victoria Grizzlies goaltender Zack Rose began the weekend smelling like a rose. He was a differencemaker with a 30-save performance in a 2-2 overtime tie against the Nanaimo Clippers on Friday night at the Q Centre and showed why he was invited to the Team Canada West selection camp beginning next Saturday in Calgary for the 2017 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge in mid-December in Truro, N.S.
The Grizzlies (13-9-4) will be looking for strong crease play again today, this time from back-up Shawn Parkinson, at the Q Centre when they meet the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in a B.C. Hockey League matinée at 2 p.m.
“Shawn has played well this season, too, and we have another game Tuesday night [against the Powell River Kings],” said Grizzlies head coach Craig Didmon, about sharing the crease load.
The Bulldogs were 8-12-6 heading into their game Saturday night against the Clippers at Frank Crane Arena in the Harbour City.
“Alberni Valley has a good young team that is getting better with each game,” Didmon said.
“Our more veteran group is going to have to be on its toes and at its best.”
Meanwhile, the 18-year-old Rose is among the 28 players from the BCHL invited to the Canada West camp for the Junior ‘A’ worlds. Grizzlies forwards Jamie Rome, headed to Western Michigan of the NCAA next season, and Alex Newhook, committed to Boston College and potentially a first-rounder for the 2019 NHL draft, are also invited. Rome leads the Grizzlies in scoring with 24 points, while the 16-yearold prodigy Newhook is second with 23 points.
Rose and Newhook are both from Newfoundland and came a long way to play in the BCHL. The 19-year-old Rome is six-foot-two and out of Calgary.
Didmon labelled the trio of Rose, Rome and Newhook being tabbed by Hockey Canada as “great exposure and good for our organization.”
The Grizzlies conclude their homestand Tuesday night at the Q against the Island Division’s annual contender Kings. That will be followed by four consecutive road games for the Grizz starting Friday in Prince George and continuing through Vernon next Saturday, Coquitlam next Sunday and Cowichan Valley on Dec. 6.