For the Victoria Grizzlies, the 2024-25 season is important as it’s their 30th anniversary of joining the B.C. Hockey League as an expansion team. Starting as the Victoria Salsa, the team filled the hole left by the departing Victoria Cougars of the Western Hockey League. The Cougars moved north […]
Tag: Craig Didmon
Examining the Grizzlies 2022-23 season
This past season, the Victoria Grizzlies finished sixth in the Coastal Conference with a final record was 26-20-5-3. The season saw several changes for the organization. The Grizzlies hired Rylan Ferster as their new head coach and general manager and later added Geoff Grimwood to the coaching staff as an […]
Capitals Update: The return of Mike Vandekamp
On Nov. 16, there was a change behind the bench in Cowichan Valley. Brian Passmore was relieved as head coach and general manager. Replacing him is Mike Vandekamp. Vandekamp is familiar to Capitals fans as he coached the team from 2018 to 2020. After the 2020 playoffs were canceled, Vandekamp […]
Victoria Grizzlies 2022-23 schedule profile
With the 2022-23 BC Hockey League season fast approaching, the Victoria Grizzlies are looking for a better result after suffering a first-round exit against the Langley Rivermen. In the off-season, Rylan Ferster became the Grizzlies’ new head coach and general manager, replacing Craig Didmon in both roles. With this article, […]
The Grizzlies’ den leader: A look at new head coach and general manager Rylan Ferster
The Victoria Grizzlies have replaced Craig Didmon as head coach and general manager with someone familiar to fans in BC’s capital. In fact, he was behind the bench in Victoria once before. Rylan Ferster is the new head coach and general manager of the Victoria Grizzlies. The 53-year-old was the […]
BCHL Bulletin: Vees take game one vs. Nanaimo, Smokies, Caps, Bucks, and Warriors add new recruits, and more!
Vees take game one of Fred Page Cup Defender Ryan Hopkins scored the eventual winner on a power play with 1:32 left in the first period and the Penticton Vees dumped the visiting Nanaimo Clippers 4-1 in game one of the Fred Page Cup Final on Friday. Luc Wilson had […]
BCHL Bulletin: Didmon’s time with the Grizzlies ends, Smokies and Capitals add new recruits, and more!
Didmon won’t be back with the Grizzlies The Victoria Grizzlies announced on Monday that general manager and head coach Craig Didmon won’t return to the team for the 2022-23 season. The Grizz didn’t unveil if Didmon resigned or was let go. Didmon, 50, has been with the Grizzlies as GM […]
Victoria Grizzlies: Graduating players and eligible returnees
The Victoria Grizzlies finished in the fifth spot in the Coastal Conference standings during the 2021-22 BC Hockey League regular season. The Grizz faced Langley in the first round and were eliminated in five games. Victoria has six players committed to NCAA Division I schools, and three players aging out […]
Examining several Victoria Grizzlies’ starting goaltenders over the years
In 26 seasons, the Victoria Grizzlies have seen over a dozen starting goalies play for them. The latest to take the starting job is Carter Woodside. Woodside emerged as Victoria’s number one goalie during the Port Alberni Pod last season. He helped backstop the team to the pod championship. […]
Connections between the Victoria Grizzlies and VIJHL
Across their history, the Victoria Grizzlies have developed several connections with the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League. The junior B league has acted as a proving ground for several future Grizzlies. Several former Grizzlies came from teams in the VIJHL, including Jamie and Jordie Benn, who both played junior […]