Written by Mark Payne @hockeypayne
Olds Grizzlys Director of Community Engagement
2025/11/11
I always say that tournament weekends are about creating memories for the players. The Olds Grizzlys Junior A Program certainly did that this past weekend.
The hometown U18 AA Olds Grizzlys played a complete game in Sunday’s final securing the Championship banner with a 7-5 victory over the PAC Saints. The Sherwood Park Saints played phenomenal all weekend long with four games in three days.
The 3rd place game was a classic won in OT by Calgary Northstars Gold. The Calgary players mobbed their teammate Isaac Tavender who scored the game winner for the celebration, as well as the post-game on ice interview that followed. They were a cohesive unit all weekend.
Leduc goaltender #1 Walter Spila was outstanding between the pipes for the Leduc Roughnecks; the group from Northern Alberta showed poise and compete throughout the event led by a prepared coaching staff.
The Prince George Cougars, Saskatoon Crunch and Prince Albert Timberwolves all enjoyed the experience and will take some valuable lessons back to BC and Saskatchewan as their hockey season continues.
For me, the highlights included having a coffee in the Olds curling rink surrounded by Northstars players on Friday afternoon, sharing some laughs with the hockey Dads along the glass and witnessing some spectacular plays on the ice.
Special thanks to the Grizzlys Reynen Wurz, Julie Johnston, and Kevin Watson for their tireless efforts to make this weekend a success. The events Raffle Table and Silent Auction ran smoothly, and most importantly these players left Olds with a lifetime of memories from the U18 AA Event.
This same group of staff now turn their attention to looking for one final team to add to our U15 AA Event in early January. Please reach out to Julie at the Grizzlys main office for registration details.
Lastly it was truly special to have some of our Junior ‘A’ Grizzlys on hand. Captain Hunter Motley presented the Championship banner alongside rookie Zee Jamal and both Olds Grizzly goaltenders Connor Johnson and Corbin Sanderman.
The Grizzlys have secured wins the last month over both the top teams in the AJHL North and South Division and secured 3 of 4 points in the standings in back-to-back games against the Calgary Canucks and Grande Prairie Storm this past weekend.
The Grizzlys season continues this Saturday November 15th against the Drumheller Dragons. Get your tickets for Westview CO-OP Bike Night where we will give away two Bikes courtesy of CO-OP. Let’s Go Grizzlys!
For more interviews and tournament coverage check our coverage @hockeypayne and @oldsgrizzlys_
