Forward Thomas Samuelsen, committed next season to the NCAA Div. 1 University of Connecticut Huskies, is apparently headed to the Victoria Grizzlies.
Victoria completed the B.C. Hockey League deal with the Nanaimo Clippers on Monday in exchange for a player-development fee. The Grizzlies, however, said they had not yet heard from Samuelsen.
The five-foot-11 native of Williston, Vermont, had an assist in 13 games this season for the Clippers, and 15 goals and 26 points in 48 games last year in the Harbour City.
“He had a good season last year, but they have a heavy top-six in Nanaimo and this will allow him to get bigger minutes and be a bigger part of the team as he gets ready for UConn next season,” Grizzlies GM and head coach Craig Didmon said.
The Grizzlies have plenty of room for 20-year-olds on the roster. Samuelsen would become the fourth over-ager on the squad. BCHL teams are allowed six 20-year-olds.
“He is a veteran and brings speed and experience,” Didmon said.
Samuelsen has played on both the power play and penalty kill for the Clippers.
“He is a 200-foot centre who can also play wing,” Didmon said.
The Grizzlies (4-9) host the Island Division-leading Cowichan Valley Capitals (10-4-1) Tuesday night at The Q Centre.
That will be followed by three games in three days for Victoria: Friday at Cowichan Valley, Saturday night at home to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs and Sunday at home to the Wenatchee Wild in a matinée.
