Grizzlies newcomer Sutton looks to make impact at both ends of the rink
Jarin Sutton had a brief stay in Victoria last August.
This time around, he’s planning on making his stay a lot longer.
The 18-year-old defenceman was signed by the Victoria Grizzlies this week from the Junior B Kelowna Chiefs. He’ll make his Grizzlies’ debut tonight when Victoria hosts the West Kelowna Warriors at 7 at The Q Centre.
Sutton, born and raised in Prince George, attended Grizzlies’ training camp at the end of August, but was one of the final cuts from the B.C. Hockey League team.
But when Grizzlies general manager and head coach Craig Didmon found out last month that rookie blue-liner Jacson Alexander was leaving for the Western Hockey League, Didmon knew exactly who to call to fill the vacant spot on the back line.
“I was pretty surprised when the Grizzlies called, but super happy,” Sutton said Thursday, prior to his first practice at The Q Centre.
“I was focused on having a good season in Kelowna and then making the jump to Junior A next season, but I’m happy for the opportunity and excited to play at this level.”
The six-foot, 185 pound Sutton brings a solid two-way game to the Grizzlies, and a winning pedigree. Last season, he helped his hometown Cariboo Cougars win a B.C. Major Midget Hockey League title and earn a trip to the Telus Cup national championship tournament. He racked up 23 points in 32 regular season games for the Cougars and added another five points in eight BCMMHL playoff games.
This season in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, Sutton had 10 goals and 15 assists in 27 games for the Chiefs, to go along with 65 penalty minutes.
“Jarin is a player who has good size and skill who can play a solid game in his own end and chip in offensively,” Didmon.
Sutton has actually played in two BCHL games already as he was called up as an affiliate player for two games by the Spruce Kings last season.
“I know the BCHL is a much faster league than what I was playing in so my focus will be on making quicker decisions and not trying to do too much at first, just simplifying my game until I’m more comfortable,” said Sutton, who’s a graduate of Prince George Secondary.
Sutton also knows he’s stepping into a team that is in high gear right now, having won seven straight games to sit two points out of first in the Island Division at 20-14-3-2.
“Yes, I know they’re having a pretty good season so far so hopefully I can step in and help them just keep it up,” he added.
The Warriors hit town with an 18-17-1-1 record and sit in fifth place in the Interior Division.
LOOSE PUCKS: The Grizzlies solved their crowded crease situation Thursday by sending Shawn Parkinson to the Drayton Valley Thunder of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. The Grizzlies get a player development fee in return. The deal leaves the Grizzlies with Zack Rose and Kurtis Chapman to tend the net. Rose, who won the gold medal with Team Canada West at the recent World Junior A Hockey Challenge, is expected to make his first start of the second half tonight after missing the last two games with an illness . . . . Following tonight’s game, the Grizzlies have the weekend off before hosting the Nanaimo Clippers on Tuesday at The Q Centre.