Crumpets sure. But Salsa?
The nickname was often mocked because if there is any city that is least likely to have a team called the Salsa, it’s probably Victoria. The Victoria Grizzlies will be skating it retro as the chili-pepper logo on the chest makes its return tonight at The Q Centre to honour the 30th anniversary of the B.C. Hockey League franchise that began as the Salsa.
The unusual, at least for Victoria, nickname came about because the original owner of the team was the Kowalko family, which owned Taco Time fast-food franchises on the Island. The changeover to the nickname Grizzlies happened in 2006-07 when current head coach and GM Rylan Ferster was at the helm in his first go-round with the franchise.
“I can say I was the last Salsa coach and first Grizzlies coach,” quipped Ferster, when he returned to the organization in 2022.
Ferster added Thursday that the retro Salsa jersey means a lot to him personally because of his original stint on the Victoria bench: “It’s an awesome logo and it was a special time for me with a special group, highlighted by making the conference final one year with a group of players who went on to pro hockey. This will definitely bring back good memories.”
But Ferster might be wishing he had the likes of Salsa future NHLers Tyler Bozak and the Benn brothers back in the lineup tonight as the Grizzlies face the Coastal Conference-leading Chilliwack Chiefs (15-4-2) tonight in Colwood. The Grizzlies will have to be wary of Chiefs forward and BCHL co-goals leader with 16, Mateo Mrsic, who is headed to the BCHL all-star weekend in Salmon Arm and to Colorado College of the NCAA.
Not that the third-place Grizzlies have been far off the pace at 13-5-3, making this a potential four-point swing game.
“The Chiefs are a good team that is well coached and the one team we haven’t played yet, so we are excited for this game on many levels,” said Ferster.
The Grizzlies overall play this season has been abetted by the last two BCHL rookies of the year, who have both backed up that early promise as their careers have progressed. That is reflected in goaltender Oliver Auyeung-Ashton, the 2022-23 winner of the league rookie award, and forward Chase Pirtle, last season’s recipient, having been named this week for the BCHL all-star tournament and skills competition Jan. 18 at Rogers Rink in Salmon Arm.
Pirtle is committed to the NCAA Div. 1 Cornell Big Red and leads the Grizzlies in scoring with 13 goals and 27 points. Auyeung-Ashton, who will be facing Pirtle in the NCAA when he takes over the crease at Colgate University, is sporting a 1.89 goals-against average and .939 save percentage.
“Both came out of the gates great for us in their careers here and they have not disappointed since,” said Ferster.
The 25 all-star players, 21 skaters with one from each team and four goalkeepers at large, were selected in a vote of league head coaches and general managers.
“The recognition, and chance to represent our team and organization, is nice,” said goaltender Auyeung-Ashton.
“But all credit goes to the guys in our room and the attention to detail they give to the defensive side of the game.”
Forward Brady McIsaac and goaltender Colin Winn were selected from the Alberni Valley Bulldogs and forwards Luca Primerano from the Cowichan Valley Capitals, Joel Plante from the Nanaimo Clippers and Chris Maro from the Powell River Kings.
Additionally, a player from each team was selected for a fan vote with the top-three overall vote getters advancing to participate in the all-star activities. Drew Hockley, a defenceman from Nova Scotia having a breakout season as the Grizzlies’ second leading scorer behind Pirtle with eight goals and 23 points, was included on the voting list. So were defencemen Caden Tremblay from Alberni Valley, Andrew Brown from Nanaimo and Calvin Beard from Powell River and forward Ben Portner from Cowichan Valley. Fans have until Dec. 4 to cast their votes via the BCHL website.
The players will be split into four teams of six skaters and one goalie and will compete in a 3-on-3 tournament, as well as a skills competition during the all-star weekend in Salmon Arm.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies head over the Malahat on Saturday to play the resurgent Capitals (11-9-2) in Duncan.
