Dogs host Grizzlies tonight., Paul Esdale Interview Audio, Roster Update.

The Bulldogs open their Exhibition Schedule tonight when they host the Grizzlies at the Dog Pound. Puck drop is at 7:00pm.

There will be NO BROADCAST, but I will update this blog throughout the game as things progress so be sure to check back if you can't make the game.

I always get flooded with questions this time of year as to whether or not we broadcast Exhibition Games. Quite simply, NO, we don't. Never have, and I don't think we ever will as the interest just isn't there and the station and community is pretty over taxed with Salmon Fest and the upcoming Fall Fair and Toy Run Events.

I certainly WOULD broadcast the exhibition games, but it's not up to me!

Here's an interview with Paul Esdale from the 93.3 The Peak FM Morning Show yesterday talking about everything from the summer off season to Training Camp to the some particulars on the current situation with the roster.

Click HERE TO LISTEN TO IT

And here's some extra reading material, from the Alberni Valley Times - Click HERE TO READ IT


Last but not least, here's the updated roster of players still in camp.

See you tonight at the Dog Pound!

Hammer

Auricchio (91)
Bailey (91)
Bergmann (92)
Berkholtz (92)
Dorais (91)
Giroux (94)
Hepso (92)
Hicks (92)
J.Mitchell (91)
Johnson (91)
Limbert (93)
Litke (92)
Lynott (91)
McCluskey (92)
McShane (94)
Mick (91)
Morello (92)
Morrison (92)
Murdoch (91)
Renz (93)
Riddle (90)
Robertson (94)
S.Mitchell (90)
Schell (92)
Slubowski (90)
Sobchak (90)
Somerville (94)
Varley (92)
Weber (92)

Victoria Grizzlies add Ryan Holfeld

(image: whl.ca)

I have just confirmed that the Grizzlies have added 20 year old goalie Ryan Holfeld.

As far as I can see, Holfeld played 2 games this season with the Tigers.

Check out his WHL numbers here

He will start for the Grizzlies tonight.

Grizzlies @ Bulldogs live chat here!

Grizzlies @ Bulldogs live blogging

I'm going to try my hand at live blogging tonight, as the Dogs host the Grizz. Credit for the technology goes to Ryan Pinder over at the Penticton Vees Blog

I saw how he used the cover it live chat room during one of the Vee's exhibition games and I thought it was pretty cool how he had running updates but also interaction between fans and parents alike who joined in.

So please do the same tonight and I'll do my best to keep you up to date on the game!

Grizzlies hammer Clippers 8-3, Update from Cowichan, Dogs back on home ice tomorrow, Salmon Fest schedule

Thanks again to my internet "eye in the sky" Dan Tisserand, who sent me this story from the Nanaimo Daily News.


Click to read "Clippers dominated by Grizzlies 8-3"



AND

Same game, different story - Here's Sharie Epp's story from the Victoria Times Colonist

"Clippers look to right the ship"

Thanks again to Danno. And Dan makes a good point - good on the Times Colonist for sending Sharie up to Nanaimo for only an exhibition game.

And Dan completes the hat trick with this story by Kevin Rothbauer from the Cowichan Valley Citizen reporting on the Capitals 7-2 win over the Nanaimo Clippers.

"Prospects put on a show"

For all the news/notes/info and schedules and anything else you might need for Salmon Fest this weekend, I encourage you to do 1 or all of these 3 things.

1)LISTEN TO THE PEAK live all weekend as Jolie and I will be filing reports throughout the event

2) CHECK OUT THIS BLOG because I will be updating it with any info that comes in during my time live at the grounds

3) Check out the official Salmon Fest website HERE

Hammer

Bryan Vines named Bulldogs Assistant Coach/Assistant GM, Courtnall steps down as Grizzlies Head Coach

The Bulldogs completed their coaching staff today by announcing Brian Vines as their new Assistant GM and Assistant Coach.

Bulldogs Add Bryan Vines as Assistant General Manager/Assistant Coach
PRESS RELEASE
May 7, 2009


The Alberni Valley Bulldogs announce the hiring of Bryan Vines as Assistant General Manager/Assistant Coach of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.

Vines joins the Alberni Valley Bulldogs after serving last season as the Assistant Coach for Miami University – Ohio while also working towards his Masters Degree. Vines was an instrumental part of the RedHawks history making season. The RedHawks lost to the Boston University Terriers in NCAA Final last season, the first time in school history the Mens Hockey team played in the NCAA Div I Finals.

Prior to Miami University – Ohio, Vines spent three seasons as the Video Coach for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League. Vines was responsible for breaking down game film and conducting team video sessions.

A defenseman as a player, Vines spent four seasons at Denver University where he led the team as Captain his senior year to a 32-8-1 (21-6-1 WCHA) record. Following Denver Vines played two seasons in the minor pro hockey ranks, splitting time between the Long Beach Ice Dogs and the San Diego Gulls.

"Bryan brings a tremendous amount of hockey knowledge to our program, his experience at the NCAA and NHL levels will be extremely beneficial to the players" comments GM Nolan Graham. "Bryan has been a part of winning programs both as a player and as a coach, he understands the commitment and dedication that is needed to achieve success", adds Graham

Vines grew up in Ontario and will be moving to the Alberni Valley prior to the Bulldogs training camp in August.

Here's his playing stats from HockeyDB

With one addition to the coaching fraternity, there is also a deletion as Geoff Courtnall has ended his tenure with the Grizzlies in Victoria.

Read more HERE

Thanks Danno for the heads up.

Hammer

-

Grizzlies pick up big win, Vipers leading, Cooking with Geno - Evgeni Malkin

A couple games last night in the BCHL playoffs, as the Victoria Grizzlies went into Powell River and picked up a huge 6-5 win over the Kings to make a series of it, as they now trail 2 games to 1 in the best of 7. Going down 0-3 wouldn't have been an easy spot for the RBC hosts. They still aren't in an easy spot, but at least tonight it's not do or die. Maybe that's what they need though? Game 7 against Cowichan brought their best game out in them, or at least that's how it appeared from a distance.

The Vernon Vipers shut out Salmon Arm 3-0 to take a 2-1 lead in the Interior Final.

Cooking with Geno - Man this is funny funny stuff. I've said it before - I didn't like Malkin much when he was playing for Russia at the World Juniors, getting ejected for KICKING people....Now that I've seen more of him as a player but also as a personality, I can't not like the guy.

Enjoy - Cooking With Geno.



We really need a "cooking with Bulldogs" program don't we?


Hammer


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Bulldogs Make Trade, Wong makes All-Star Team as BCHL Announces Coastal Conference Roster.

The Bulldogs have made a trade....Look for a press release here or on the team website sometime today. A full discussion about the move will certainly come on "Bulldogs This Week" tonight.


Congrats to Matthew Wong, who has again made the BCHL All Star Game as the lone representative from the Bulldogs.

The Powell River Kings had 6 players selected, while the Victoria Grizzlies had 4.

Here's the Roster for the Coastal Conference.

FORWARDS

Kyle Bodie Powell River Kings
Justin Courtnall Victoria Grizzlies
Russell Goodman Nanaimo Clippers
Milos Gordic Langley Chiefs
Derek Grant Langley Chiefs
Adam Hartley Surrey Eagles
Clay Harvey Powell River Kings
Darcy Oakes Powell River Kings
Evan Pighin Victoria Grizzlies
Brodie Reid Burnaby Express (traded to Penticton)
Erik Vos Powell River Kings
Kevin Walrod Cowichan Valley Capitals

DEFENCEMEN
Lee Baldwin Victoria Grizzlies
Mat Bodie Powell River Kings
Cameron Brodie Burnaby Express
Zack Currie Cowichan Valley Capitals
Anders Franzon Nanaimo Clippers
Chris Ickert Langley Chiefs

GOALTENDERS
Carsen Chubak Powell River Kings
Anthony Grieco Victoria Grizzlies
Matthew Wong Alberni Valley Bulldogs

Hammer

Fans plan Rally for Dogs, Evan Pighin situation, former BCHL'er Brad Thiessen player of the week..

Yikes haven't posted since Saturday! Been busy, my apologies!

Lets start first off with this, an Email from Nancy - only in Port Alberni does something like this happen!

Hi Evan:

We are going to have a rally for the Bulldogs, sort of like a sendoff on the summit, but they are leaving Thursday morning, so we have decided to have the rally at the end of their practice on Wednesday. Do you think you could really promote it on the radio and on your blog? We are asking everyone to meet in the lobby at the arena at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday Oct 22nd and we`ll all go into practice together at around 4:15. Hopefully it will help the guys for their road trip.

What an outstanding idea! It's on the blog and on the radio already! So tell one tell all please and get down to the rink Wednesday afternoon!

Don't remember or know what the "Send off at the Summit" is? Take a look at this video, from the 2005-2006 season.

(PG rating, mild language)






Thanks to Danno for sending me this update on the Evan Pighin situation. He's finally cleared to play for the Grizzlies. Read all about it from this article from the Victoria Times Colonist HERE


Not Bulldog related, but BCHL related...A nice little story here on former BCHL'er Brad Thiessen, recently named Hockey East Player of the Week


Nice to get an update from Bulldogs Head Coach Bryant Perrier last night on the state of Josh Pineiro's health. I didn't want to talk on here about the situation as I didn't know what was public knowledge or what the team wanted to share.

As Bryant said on the show last night, Josh is one tough hombre and proved it Saturday as he went through the pain of a dislocated jaw after an elbow to the face by Victoria Grizzlies d-man Todd Gebert.

For over half an hour the doc at the rink tried to get the jaw back in but couldn't. An overnight hospital stay in Victoria was the end result. What a way to spend a Saturday night.

Bryant also stated on the show that the Bulldogs have sent the tape to Dave Sales in the BCHL office with a request that the league look at the incident.

More news to come on this situation when I get it.

Hammer

Final Score in Exhibition action between the Victoria Grizzlies and the Alberni Valley Bulldogs - 10-5 Grizzlies.

Wow, must have been quite the good ole' barn burner at the 'Bear tonight!

I had updates of 3-1 Grizzlies after one, and 5-4 Grizzlies after two before a final update of 10-5 Victoria..

I really appreciate all of the updates from comments here on the blog, texts, phone calls and emails!

Thanks so much to Grizzlies fan, billet, and supporter Jean Knight for phoning update to me earlier and for emailing me list of the scoring plays and some other stats.

Nothing official, but still a great amount of info otherwise not readily available....

Alberni goal scorers

1- Payne from Ralbi (PP)

2nd Period

2 - Witt from Ralbi and Tonello (PP)

3 - Muir from Ross and Castagna (PP)

4 - Mohler from Castagna and Ralbi

3rd Period

5 - Muir from Pineiro

Victoria goal scorers

1 - MacRae from Millhouse and Baldwin (PP)

2 - Forsyth from Guthrie and Bremmer

3 - Courtnall from Forsyth and Bremmer (PP)

2nd Period

4 - Matheson from Higgins and Millhouse (PP)

5 - Reid from Courtnall

3rd Period

6 - Courtnall from Reid and Robertson

7 - Millhouse from Higgins(PP)

8 - Reid from Courtnall and Robertson

9 - Bremmer from Guthrie and Robertson

10 - Millhouse (unassisted) (PP)

Total shots

Victoria 49 Alberni 37

Penalties (I believe these were all, though I might have missed a couple)

Victoria 19

Alberni 17

Victoria had 10 Vets dressed for tonight's game

Clark was in net for Alberni and Biszczak was in net for Victoria



Thanks Jean for your efforts and thanks Dave for setting it up!

Thanks to all for reading the blog and for spreading the word about it.

Hammer