The Olds Grizzlys will meet the Devon Xtreme as the puck drops to begin the annual AJHL Showcase in Calgary.
Those two teams will clash at 11am on Wednesday, September 25th in front of scouts from colleges, universities, and pro hockey organizations at the Max Bell Centre.
Rookie forward Braeden Veldhuizen (2006) is from Calgary but this will be his first opportunity to suit up for the Alberta Junior Hockey League Showcase. He says “for sure it is a different atmosphere, you’re not going to have all the fans of a home town crowd and stuff. It’s an early game on a Wednesday so a lot of people are working but there is going to be a lot of scouts and it is a first impression for a lot of the younger guys to go into the Showcase and be seen by these schools. So I think and important thing is to just show up and play the way we can and do our thing. Try and block out all the noise and the pressure from all the scouts and just show up at 11 o’clock and do our thing.”
All 12 AJHL member clubs will play two games each at this week’s Showcase.
Defenceman William Patey (2006) from Cow Head, Newfoundland had the chance to play in the AJHL Showcase last season. He says “yeah for sure it is an awesome experience and a lot of scouts and everything. It’s just a really good opportunity for everyone to get looks. Everyone is trying to put their best effort forward and, yeah, as a team we are just looking to go in there, obviously do a hundred percent and just come out with two wins here. Should be good for us.”
The 18-year-old Patey is still looking for his first AJHL goal. He had 2 assists in 52 games from the blueline for Olds last season and has been held off the scoresheet through the first 4 games this year.
96.5 CKFM will have live coverage from the Max Bell Centre as the Grizzlys battle the Devon Xtreme on Wednesday at 11am.
The Black & Gold are 1-3-0-0 so far this season, while the Xtreme are 2-2-0-0.
The 18-year-old Veldhuizen was a big part of the Grizzlys win this season as he had a goal and an assist during their 3-2 triumph in Drumheller on September 14th. He has a goal and two helpers through three regular season games to begin his junior ‘A’ hockey career.
The second game of the AJHL Showcase in Calgary for Olds is set for Thursday at 1:45pm against the Bonnyville Pontiacs.
96.5 CKFM spoke with William Patey after practice on Tuesday, September 24th.
CKFM also caught up with Braeden Veldhuizen at the SportsComplex on Tuesday.