The Olds Grizzlys made a few moves last week as they look to shore up their roster ahead of a new season of Alberta Junior Hockey League excitement.
In June, former NHL player Peter Schaefer was hired as the new Head Coach for the Grizzlys. Last week, the local AJHL club brought in a 2004 born goaltender via a trade with the Superior International Junior Hockey League’s Kam River Fighting Walleye for future considerations. Ashton Sadauskas from Parksville, B.C. will be counted on to be part of the solution in net. Schaefer says “obviously Ashton is going to be a starting guy, penciled in, you know through the trade. Talked to him the other day, so he is excited and had a million questions for me, of course. So we’re excited to have him.”
After posting a record of 10-41-3-3 in 57 AJHL games last season, Schaefter notes the Grizzlys will be looking for competition in all of their position groups as they pick this year’s roster. He says “obviously, goaltending has such a huge importance in the game and again the competitiveness that we want in every position. We want compete, we want guys pushing each other. Whether it is a d-man, a goalie, or a forward because healthy compete makes us all better and that’s what we are here for.”
In the SIJHL last season in Ontario, Sadauskas had a record of 28-3-0 with 4 shut outs, a 2.42 goals against average, and a .909 save percentage.
Olds shipped future considerations to the Hearst Lumberjacks of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League for 2004 born right winger/centre Will Robinson. Schaefer discusses what Robinson brings to their team. Robinson – who is from Toronto – had 5 goals and 9 points in 24 games last season with the Lumberjacks.
Olds also traded future considerations to get 2005 born forward Bailey Shortall from the Truro Bearcats of the Maritime Junior ‘A’ Hockey League. He had 8 goals and 23 points in 34 games last season with the MAJHL’s West Kent Steamers.
The Olds Grizzlys will hold their main camp this weekend and that will include the annual Black & Gold intra-squad game on Sunday, August 25th.
The AJHL pre-season will start for Olds at home against the newest team in the league, the Devon Xtreme, on Wednesday, August 28th at 7pm.
The 2024-2025 regular season kicks off for the Grizzlys at home on Friday, September 13th at 7 o’clock versus the Drumheller Dragons.
Listen to 96.5 CKFM’s conversation with Peter Schaefer.