Game 1 of the South Conference championship series is coming up on Thursday, March 13th at the Bob Snodgrass Arena in High River.
The U18 AA Olds Grizzlys will visit the Foothills Bisons for the opener of that best-of-three Alberta Elite Hockey League playoff battle.
17-year-old left winger Nate Smith from Innisfail explains what has helped the U18 AA Grizzlys be so successful this season. He says “we’ve had pretty good offense and defence. We’re a solid team all around and I think we just play a well rounded game.” Smith finished third in scoring among all U18 AA players in the Alberta Elite Hockey League this season – one point ahead of his teammate Sawyer Campbell. Smith says “I think we have good chemistry and we work together well and just put the puck in the net.” Smith had 25 goals and 64 points in 34 games during the regular season. Smith was recently named the U18 AA player of the month by the AEHL.
After finishing the regular season with a record of 19-9-6 Olds won the Central Division playoff tournament last weekend in Lacombe. 17-year-old defenceman Greydon Willsie from Caroline capped off the tourney for the U18 AA Grizzlys by scoring the division championship winning goal in overtime as they beat the West Central Tigers 3-2 in the final on Sunday, March 9th. He says “oh it was insane. Highlight for sure. Not the prettiest goal, but a goal is a goal in overtime. Any shot matters.”
The Grizlys were hot heading into the playoff tourney after going 7-1-2 during their final 10 regular season games. Willsie says “yeah, just a lot of confidence from the team. We rolled into there, first place in the division and then finished round robin also first place. So I think it was mostly a confidence thing. Boys knew we could play good and win that banner.” Willsie contributed 3 goals, 12 points and 45 penalty minutes in 29 games for the U18 AA Grizzlys during the regular season.
17-year-old defenceman Keenan Feenstra from Didsbury discusses how Olds will approach the series against the Bisons. He says “make sure we stick to our game plan. We’re a pretty heavy team so if we get puck in, just weigh them down we should be alright.” Feenstra posted 4 goals, 13 points from the blueline along with 32 penalty minutes for Olds during 34 regular season games.
17-year-old left winger Beau van Vlaaderen from Olds talks about how having 11 graduating players on their team has allowed them to have a great 2024-2025. He says “just everyone being confident and being one of the older groups out on the ice and everyone working well together, helps win us games.” van Vlaanderen was third on the U18 AA Grizzlys in both goals with 21 and points with 39 in 34 games during the regular season. He also picked up 28 penalty minutes.
The Foothills Bisons were 22-8-4 to place first in the South Division during the regular season. They advanced to the South Conference championship series by defeating the East Kootenay Avalanche 5-4 in the division playoff tourney final 5-4 on March 9th in High River.
Olds will host the Bisons for Game 2 of the South Conference final on Saturday, March 15th at 7pm.
If necessary, a third and deciding game would be played in Nanton at the Tom Hornecker Arena on Sunday afternoon.
96.5 The Ranch spoke with Greydon Willsie.
Hear our conversation with Nate Smith.
Listen to more audio with Keenan Feenstra.
Check out what Beau van Vlaanderen had to say to The Ranch.
