Deep Dive #2 - A Brief History of the Great Falls Grizzlies
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Muerto
Registered S15, S16, S24, S34, S38 Challenge Cup Champion
A History of the Great Falls Grizzlies
With S76 being an expansion year bringing in 2 new teams, I thought we could take a look at one of the more recent expansion teams. The Great Falls Grizzlies came into the league in S61, at the same time as the Regina Elk. The team was founded by Geekusoid aka Chevy aka Peanut aka Strom Chamberlain. Sporting a fierce Grizzly Bear head with menacing claws, the team sported a unique blend of Gold, Brown, and Black as their colors. The franchise bounced a couple of possible locations and team names before settling on the Great Falls Grizzlies, bringing Simulation Junior Hockey to the heart of the Yellowstone area. The team brought its first players to the fold in the expansion draft before S61, the first player they selected was Rinky McDangle, although he never played for the Grizzlies as he was traded shortly after. The Grizzlies did not have a 1st Round pick in their first draft as they traded that as well to bring a couple veteran players to bolster the roster. The first player drafted to Great Falls was Frederico Von Schnicktenburg, at 24th Overall in the 2nd round. They also drafted Goalie Brick Wall in this Draft, who went on to become one of the all-time Greats! When the Grizzlies began play in S61, they had on the roster such notable names as Grogu Mandosson, Brick Wall, Vadim Askerov, Sekai Wollker, and Jonathon Hagan who all went on to have decent SHL careers. This team grew together and the Grizzlies went all the way to the finals in S63, but were thwarted by the powerhouse Newfoundland Berserkers. This was the only time so far that Great Falls has gone to the Finals in their 15 season existence. Let's have a look at the Grizzlies records throughout their existence: Grizzlies Seasonal Results S61 - Regular Season: 30-34-2 Playoffs: W Rd 1 vs STL 4-3, L Rd 2 vs VAN 1-4 S62 - Regular Season: 38-27-1 Playoffs: L Rd 1 vs NBB 0-4 S63 - Regular Season: 40-20-6 Playoffs: BYE Rd 1, W Rd 2 vs ANA 4-1, W Rd 3 vs KEL 4-2, L Rd 4 vs NLB 1-4 S64 - Regular Season: 29-31-6 Playoffs: N/A S65 - Regular Season: 22-42-2 Playoffs: L Rd 1 vs STL 0-4 S66 - Regular Season: 23-41-2 Playoffs: L Rd 1 vs REG 1-4 S67 - Regular Season: 20-41-5 Playoffs: L Rd 1 vs MNT 2-4 S68 - Regular Season: 22-41-3 Playoffs: N/A S69 - Regular Season: 42-19-5 Playoffs: BYE Rd 1, L Rd 2 vs QCC 3-4 S70 - Regular Season: 39-23-4 Playoffs: W Rd 1 vs ANC 4-2, L Rd 2 vs NBB 1-4 S71 - Regular Season: 20-45-1 Playoffs: L Rd 1 vs NBB 1-4 S72 - Regular Season: 22-44-0 Playoffs: N/A S73 - Regular Season: 22-40-4 Playoffs: W Rd 1 vs ANC 4-3, L Rd 2 vs VAN 3-4 S74 - Regular Season: 23-41-2 Playoffs: L Rd 1 vs NLB 1-4 S75 - Regular Season: 35-29-2 Playoffs: N/A Top Scorers in Grizzlies History 1. S69 : Hai Nam Hoang - 30G 57A 87 Pts 2. S75 : Gordon-William Gibbles - 37G 47A 84 Pts 3. S75 : Jani Manty - 36G 41A 77 Pts 4. S70 : James Dion - 37G 37A 74 Pts T5. S69 : Bobby McGinnis - 27G 41A 68 Pts T5. S75 : Brandon Strongstick - 18G 50A 68 Pts S76 SMJHL DRAFT 3RD OVERALL PICK IIHF TEAM NORWAY |
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Deep Dive #2 - A Brief History of the Great Falls Grizzlies - by Muerto - 04-25-2024, 06:41 AM
RE: Deep Dive #2 - A Brief History of the Great Falls Grizzlies - by Chevy - 04-25-2024, 09:15 AM
RE: Deep Dive #2 - A Brief History of the Great Falls Grizzlies - by CptSquall - 05-04-2024, 10:34 AM
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