The Victoria Grizzlies opened their B.C. Hockey League training Monday at Juan de Fuca Arena without one of their most hyped players. Jacson Alexander, 16, was instead skating in the rookie camp of the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League.
Esquimalt-raised Alexander may be the best Island hockey blueline prospect since Tyson Barrie of the Colorado Avalanche came out of Juan de Fuca, or at least since Josh Anderson of Duncan, who went to the Avalanche in the third round of the 2016 NHL draft.
Alexander is apparently hedging his bets.
He is committed to the University of Denver in the U.S. collegiate NCAA, but was taken 16th overall by Swift Current in the first round of the 2016 WHL bantam draft.
“I am keeping my options open,” said Alexander, by phone from Swift Current.
“I want to make sure I make the right choice.”
Alexander will not lose his NCAA eligibility as long as he pays for all his own trip expenses to Swift Current.
“I am paying for everything,” he said.
Island hockey fans will still get to see the Racquet Club and Shawnigan Lake School product skate this season in junior. No matter what his future — NCAA in Denver or WHL in Swift Current — Alexander said he will play this season in the BCHL. He is expected in Grizzlies camp Thursday for the exhibition game against the Cowichan Valley Capitals at 7 p.m. in Juan de Fuca Arena.
“Jacson wanted to see what the [WHL] environment was like in Swift Current,” said Grizzlies head coach and GM Craig Didmon.
“There is no question he has special qualities and is super skilled. Jacson had a great [U-17 Canadian] camp in Calgary and will be a candidate for the Canadian team to the world junior championships in a couple of years. And he’s already got an NCAA scholarship offer.”
Many will watch with interest Alexander’s step up to junior this season with the Grizzlies.
“He is always used to being the top player. But now he is in the mix with older players. But I think playing with older players is going to bring out a lot in him this season,” said Didmon.
At 16, Alexander is undaunted by the prospect of going up against 20-year-olds. The five-foot-10 rearguard closes in on the puck carrier very quickly and he can hit, despite his size.
Alexander is in the mould of undersized but mobile blueliners such as Barrie and former WHL Victoria Royals star Joe Hicketts, both of whom played for Canada at the world juniors.
“I am going to keep playing the game the way I always have,” said Alexander, of his move up to junior this season as a rookie.
“I am going to work hard and play physically and aggressively like I always do.”
The scrimmage squads in camp are named after Grizzlies alumni Tyler Bozak, assistant captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Jamie Benn, captain of the Dallas Stars.
Practice sessions today at Juan de Fuca are at 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. followed by Team Bozak versus Team Benn at 8 p.m. Practice sessions Wednesday are at 2:30 and 3 p.m. followed by Team Bozak against Team Benn at 7 pm.
