Hubert Larose had the skate away play on Friday, September 18th as the Olds Grizzlys won their first game of the 2026-2027 Alberta Junior Hockey League season.
862 fans filled up the Sportsplex and they saw Olds outlast Drayton Valley 2-1 in overtime thanks to Larose’s power play goal 45 seconds into O.T. Larose (2007) – who is from Levis, Quebec – says “Oh it is really cool, like I haven’t seen that much people in a while, so I’m really proud of the Town. I’m actually really excited. I feel like this group is really special. Everyone is a leader here and everyone is a good guy, so it is going to be great.”
Corbin Sanderman (2007) from Three Hills made 30 saves to backstop the Grizzlys to the win on opening night. Forward Jack Kirkevold (2008) from Hudson, Wisconsin scored the first goal of the season for the Black and Gold at the 8:04 mark of the second period. Defenceman Wylie Wen (2007) from Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec assisted on both goals to pick up his first two AJHL points. Fellow blueliner Paulo Borrelli (2008) from Edmonton earned his first point in the league with an assist on Kirkevold’s goal. Borrelli had previously played 2 games in the A-J with the Lloydminster Bobcats and 2 more with the Fort McMurray Oil Barons. Forward Finn Bagley (2008) from Airdrie had the other assist on Larose’s game winning PPG.
Drayton Valley had tied the game a little more than two minutes after the Grizzlys had taken the lead as Daniel Zhou (2006) from Victoria, B.C. had a nifty set up on the power play for Damian Hill (2008) from Slave Lake who one-timed it home. The Thunder went 1/4 on the PP, while Olds was 1/5 with the man advantage. The Grizzlys outshot D.V. 38 to 31. Kellen Salter (2008) from Calgary had a 36 save performance for the Thunder.
Their second game of the regular season is on Tuesday, September 22nd in Canmore against the defending league champions – the Eagles. Olds returns to home ice for games on Friday, September 25th versus Whitecourt and on Saturday, September 26th against Devon. Get tickets here.
Listen to 96.5 The Ranch’s postgame conversation with Hubert Larose.
The Ranch also caught up with Jack Kirkevold.
Prior to the game, the Ranch spoke with Tyson Soloski, Head Coach of the Olds Grizzlys.
Hear more pre-game audio with Jeff Truitt, Head Coach and General Manager of the Drayton Valley Thunder.
