The Olds Grizzlys announced over the weekend that they have a had a parting of ways with Peter Schaefer.
The 47-year-old former NHLer was hired as the local AJHL club’s new Head Coach earlier this year and his first appearance in the community was at the Friends of the Grizzlys 7th annual golf tournament in June.
However, Schaefer and the Grizzlys parted ways prior to the start of training camp on Friday and Assistant Coach Brad Tobin has been promoted to Head Coach effective immediately.
The 35-year-old Tobin points out that it was a little bit of a whirlwind 48 hours there, especially finding out the news a day before training camp. The Delta, B.C. product says “I’m excited at the opportunity. I’ve been a General Manager and a Head Coach before too, so I know what to expect and I know that this league is a league that generates a lot of college scholarships and that is what we are looking to do here.”
Tobin’s previous jobs at the junior level were with the Surrey Eagles of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) and the Creston Valley Thunder Cats of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL). He says “it is a new opportunity for everybody. You know, I’m going to obviously give every player their due. Yeah, if you put your best foot forward with this organization then, yeah, you are going to make the team and you are going to create the buzz that I think Olds has been looking for, for a number of years.”
The Black & Gold intrasquad game was played on Sunday at the SportsComplex and it featured the team’s top 40 players. Tristan Visser had a pair of goals as Team Black won 5-3. Mitch Patrick had a goal and an assist in a losing cause for Team Gold. Tobin was behind the bench for Team Black, while Matt Hnatiuk – Director of Scouting for the OGs – was the coach for Team Gold.
Admission to the Black & Gold game was by donation and the Grizzlys are pleased to report that they collected $963 dollars for the Mountain View Emergency Shelter Society in support of ‘Kirsten’s Place’.
Up next for the Grizzlys is their first exhibition game. They will host the newest team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League – the Devon Xtreme – for preseason play on Wednesday at 7pm.
Listen to 96.5 CKFM’s conversation with Brad Tobin.