GAME DAY: VICTORIA VS. NANAIMO
7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena
For 12 seasons Bill Bestwick bled orange, leading the Nanaimo Clippers to battle in the B.C. Hockey League.
So there will be plenty of emotion involved tonight as he directs the Victoria Grizzlies into Frank Crane Arena in Bestwick's first appearance as general manager and head coach of one of the Clippers' most hated rivals.
The wily veteran hockey man wasn't letting on, but there will be plenty of heart strings being pulled as his 5-1-0-1 Grizzlies take on the 3-1 Clippers, a team that dumped Bestwick two seasons ago.
"Everybody moves on. I've taken the high road on this and I don't intend to change," Bestwick said in preparation for the 7 p.m. clash. "Do I hope we win on Friday? Absolutely. I bleed a different colour now and that's the way it is."
Previously known as Mr. Clipper, there will be no hesitation or confusion in which dressing room he'll be entering, despite having won two BCHL championships (2004 and 2007) as well as the 2004 Doyle Cup title.
"I'll make sure I go through the front door and not the back door," Bestwick said with his patented grin.
Just how the Frank Crane faithful react will be of tremendous interest, but Bestwick - as well as former Clippers Gerry, Myles and Leo Fitzgerald and Brett Hartskamp - will have plenty of support as a fan bus and limo were in the works to travel up Island.
"I think it will be a respectful reception. Nanaimo people have always been so kind to me and my family," said Bestwick, who is expected to be honoured pre-game. "I hope the Nanaimo fans appreciate the time and effort and energy and good memories we shared together, so I assume it will be kind before the game starts.
"And I'm sure once the game starts, all bets are off," he added with a chuckle. "And I'm also sure they'll be rooting for the home team, and so should they.
"I bled orange for a long time and the fans bled with me."
His colours have changed and, along with associate coach and assistant GM Craig Didmon, the two have done a wonderful job early in preparing the Grizzlies - now rated No. 8 in the country - for the new season.
"It's way more special for these guys [ex-Clipper players], they're young men with a dream and they're determined," he said of the Fitzgerald triplets and Hartskamp. "They want to do what's best for their team. They'll have lots of supporters, too, and that's fantastic. They are four great kids."
Hartskamp, for one, was also looking forward to the game.
"It's going to be fun," he said. "I'd like to win it for Bill, but I also want to win it for ourselves, for the team and for Victoria."
Didmon echoed that sentiment, but gave a better look into the week's buildup to the game.
"The boys have had a bit of a smile for this one, for the fact that they have a lot of respect for Bill and they want to put on a good show for Bill," he said. "Bill has done a lot to help us get where we are right now and the guys are ready for that.
"They also know the league is watching," added Didmon. "This is a real test. They have a good team and we respect what they have up there and how they play.
"It's a battle of the Island Division right now and I know it'll be a spirited match."
With lots of emotion attached to it.
IN THE DEN: Colorado Avalanche defenceman Ryan O'Byrne is expected to be on the bench as assistant coach for his first time when the Grizzlies return home Saturday as they host Coquitlam at 7: 15 p.m. at Bear Mountain Arena. The only thing that would hold up O'Byrne's appearance would be if paperwork is not cleared in time by appropriate leagues.
