The Victoria Grizzlies will welcome back veteran winger Eddie Yan to the lineup tonight when they visit Weyerhaeuser Arena to take on the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
But it’ll be a short reunion.
The 19-year-old Yan, who has missed the last 17 games due to a knee injury, will play in the Grizzlies’ two games this weekend — tonight in Port Alberni and Saturday night at The Q Centre, also against the Bulldogs — and then depart Sunday for Gangneung, South Korea, where, for the second straight year, he’ll captain Team China, this time at the IIHF Division II Group B world junior championship.
Last January, Yan led China in scoring and helped his home country win the Division III world juniors in Iceland to gain promotion to the Division II Group B tournament, which will also include teams from Israel, Croatia, Belgium, the Netherlands and South Korea. The winner in Korea will advance to next year’s Division II Group A tournament.
“Back for two games and then off again so this weekend should be fun,” said Yan, who had 11 points in 20 games for the Grizzlies before the injury.
“I went to Korea once as a kid for a family vacation and just remember it’s a really beautiful country with friendly people, so it should be a good time.”
China opens the tournament Jan. 28 against Belgium, who, like many of the teams in Gangneung, are known more for their soccer than hockey.
“They aren’t your traditional hockey powers but they still compete hard and have some Canadians playing so it’s going to be an interesting tournament,” said Yan, who was born in Toronto to Chinese parents.
China is also using the tournament to groom its next generation of hockey players for the 2022 Winter Olympics, which will take place in Beijing.
“We still have a long way to go, but hockey has become very important for China, mostly because of the Olympics so you’re seeing a real growth of it in places like Beijing.”
Yan spent several weeks in Beijing in December getting treatment and rehabbing his injury, but always keeping tabs on his Grizzlies.
“I did my best to follow the guys from over there and it was tough watching because you want to be on the ice helping out.”
And before he boards a plane on Sunday, Yan has some unfinished business. Like Getting the Grizzlies (16-28-0) back on track. The club has lost four of its past five games and now faces three straight games against the Island Division third-place Bulldogs (they also play Jan. 24 in Alberni).
“I’ve been back skating for over a month now and I’m starting to get my timing and hands back so I can’t wait for [tonight].”
Grizzlies GM and head coach Craig Didmon is also happy to see his second-year forward back in the lineup.
“Eddie will help create offence with his speed and hands, especially on the power play,” Didmon said.
“And he’s a smart two-way player who you can play in any situation. We’ll miss him when he’s away with Team China but it’s a tremendous opportunity for him.”
The Bulldogs (21-17-3) are back home after losing three straight on the road.
“They’re always a tough team to play against, especially in their rink,” said Yan. “We’ll have to be ready right from the start because you know they will be.”
