As heard on 96.5 CKFM, the 2024-2025 Alberta Junior Hockey League season began on Friday night with the Olds Grizzlys hosting their home opener versus the Drumheller Dragons.
The Grizzlys held first period leads of 1 to nothing and 2-1, but in the end Drumheller pulled away to win 9-4.
Forward Mitch Patrick (2006) from Airdrie had two power play goals and an assist for Olds, while forward Quinn Metzger (2006) from Cleveland, Ohio and forward Estaban Labelle (2006) from Mirabel, Quebec both scored their first AJHL goals. Grizzlys Captain Connor Seeley from West Kelowna, B.C. and forward Johnathan Doucette from Boston, Massachusetts both contributed a pair of assists for Olds.
Forward Bradley Gallo (2006) from St. Albert had a hat trick on opening night for Drumheller, while forwards Ellis Mieyette (2006) from Lumsden, Saskatchewan and Easton Daneault (2008) from Red Deer notched 4 assists each. It was just the second ever AJHL regular season game for Daneault. Defenceman Ryan Seeley (2006) from Olds had one assist while playing his first AJHL game in a building he used to hit the ice in during his minor hockey days.
The announced attendance at the SportsComplex for the home opener was 734 but with children ages 12 and under getting in for free it was certainly one of the bigger, more energetic crowds in recent memory.
The Grizzlys will try to even up their record when they head to Drumheller for a rematch tonight.
96.5 CKFM caught up with Quinn Metzger following his first AJHL regular season game.
