The Seventh Season 1999 - 2000

This Season The KIJHL Celebrated Its 30th Anniversary (1969 to 1999)

FINAL KIJHL SEASON STANDINGS (1999/00)

* Castlegar awarded 4th place due to greater number of wins over Spokane

Season Summary:

The 1999/00 Grizzlies were a younger and smaller but faster team. From last season there were only three returnee veterans: Jordan Downey, Dylan Switzer and goaltender Chad Kupczyk. Three Grizzlies from last season earned their way into the BCHL. Ben Pierce and Ryan Irving went to the Merritt Centennials playing alongside another former Grizzlie, Jeremy Tisdale. Jeff Pont went to the Burnaby Bull Dogs joining Jason Vos from the 97-98 Grizzlies.

Head coach Scott Robinson was back for his 2nd term and Randy Merritt, with a wealth of hockey experience entered the Grizzlies den as assistant coach. Randy played his junior hockey in Revelstoke with the Revelstoke Rockets (BCJHL) before a knee injury shortened his career. Afterwards, Randy was a longtime player for the Revelstoke Merchants in the old Monashee Hockey League.

In goal, veteran Chad Kupczyk was back, this being his final year. Seeking the other netminding position were goaltenders Lee Barrick, Troy Barnard and Tyler Bilton. They all played games for the Grizzlies but the final position was awarded to Aaron Byrnes, who came to the Grizzlies from the Prince George Spruce Kings in mid-November. Blaine Ford was added to the team Dec. 4th, coming from Golden. Jason Misewich was the last addition to the Grizzlies, arriving from the Merritt Centennials on Jan. 28th.

The Grizzlies started October tied for 1st and going into November they slipped into 2nd but come Nov. 8th they dropped down to 4th place in the standings. They stepped back into 3rd place Nov. 20th but at the Christmas break they found themselves back in 4th. Following the January All Star break the Grizzlies objective was to reclaim 3rd position in the standings. Out of their 10 remaining games three were with the first-place Rockies. The Grizzlies gave it a gallant effort by winning seven, including three-in-a-row to end the season on a trip to Grand Forks, Summerland and Castlegar. But, during that stretch, the Grizzlies lost their three games against the Rockies which left them in 4th, a mere point out of 3rd place.

The Grizzlies put up a respectable 15-7-1 home ice record while playing 9-13-1 on the road. The two teams the Grizzlies struggled with and lost points to were Sicamous, going 1-7, and Columbia Valley posting a 2-6 record. The Grizzlies split the season with the NO Kings, 4-4, and dominated Golden 7-0-1. At home versus South Division teams the Grizzlies were impressive with 6 victories, losing only once and that was in overtime to Osoyoos. On the road against South teams the Grizzlies were 4-2-1. The Grizzlies were involved in 8 overtime games, winning 3, losing 3 and 2 remained a tie.

At the end of regular season play the Grizzlies placed three players: Kevin Coutts (17+37=54), Peter Tyler (21+30=51) and Paul Girodat (23+25=48) in the Eddie Mountain Division Top Ten Point Players ranked 8th, 9th and 10th respectively.

REVELSTOKE GRIZZLIES FINAL TEAM ROSTER (1999/00)
(Final Roster & End of Regular Season Stats)

Team Captain: Tanner Murray

THE ALL STAR GAME:

Played in Enderby Saturday, January 15th, 2000.

Representing the Grizzlies for the EDDIE MOUNTAIN ALL STARS: Goaltender CHAD KUPCZYK, Defenceman BRENT McAFEE, Forwards PETER TYLER and KEVIN COUTTS.

GAME SCORE: NEIL MURDOCH DIVISION 5 - EDDIE MOUNTAIN DIVISION 3

In the pre-game Skills Competition: PUCK CARRY, SPEED SKATING, GOALTENDER SHOOT-OUT and HARDEST SHOT: Peter Tyler was the lone Grizzlies player, recording the third hardest shot.

Players Before Cut

AP PLAYERS USED

Revelstoke Grizzlies Meet Columbia Valley Rockies In Division Semi-Finals:

Series Summary

At the end of regular season play: The Rockies completed the season #1, the best in the 12 team league. Starting weekend play October 1st, the Grizzlies and Rockies were tied for first place in the Eddie Mountain and they stayed that way for the following week. Going into the third week of play the Grizzlies were a game behind the Rockies but by month's end the Rockies took over a healthy lead. Just after the All Star break and 39 games, the Sicamous Eagles climbed into first place, one point ahead of the Rockies. But that was short-lived and by the end of January the Rockies were back on top where they stayed to finish the season.

In League ranking the Rockies were 2nd in goals scored, 3rd best in goals against while the Grizzlies were 8th in goals for and 6th in goals against. In the standings the Rockies topped the Grizzlies by 15 points, scored 26 more goals and allowed 22 fewer against. Over the season the Rockies won 6 of the 8 games played against the Grizzlies.

The Rockies had four players and the Grizzlies three in the Leagues Top Ten Scorers. The Rockies Travis Corkle (40+31=71) was 2nd to the Kings #1, Alex Nikiforuk (31+48=79). Rockies William Cutts (31+37=68) was 3rd, Joe Calderone 5th (21+37=58) and Natham Statham 6th (22+36=58). The Grizzlies were 8th, 9th and 10th: Kevin Coutts (17+37+54, Peter Tyler (21+30=51) and Paul Girodat (23+25=48).

Game 1 In Invermere:
The teams exchanged 1st period goals, 1-1 tie. No scoring in the 2nd. In the 3rd with the score tied 2-2 and less than 5 minutes to play, Kevin Coutts fired a shot just over the crossbar with the Rockies goalie down and out. The overtime period ended quickly. The Grizzlies went to the net directly from the face-off but the Rockies took possession of the puck and returned to score at 9:09 for the OT win.

Grizzlies scorers: 1st period:
1 Dylan Switzer (P Tyler & J Robinson).

Grizzlies scorers: 3rd period:
2 Jason Misewich (C Kurka)

Chad Kupczyk in Goal.

Shots on Goal: Stats unavailable but the Grizzlies out-shot the Rockies.

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Game 2 In Invermere:
The Rockies scored 2 PP goals and shut-out the Grizzlies 4-0. Coach Robinson said the Grizzlies lacked energy and intensity plus had some bad puck luck at the net. He credited Aaron Byrnes for holding the Rockies down to four goals.

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Game 3 In the Forum:
The game that slipped away. The Grizzlies led 1-0 end of 1st and 3-2 end of 2nd. In the 3rd the teams were tied 4-4 until the Rockies scored with 2:27 remaining in the game for the win and a three to nothing series lead.

Grizzlies scorers: 1st period:
1 Matt Ross (P Tyler & J Robinson).

Grizzlies scorers: 2nd period:
2 Keith Mitchell PP (P Tyler & J Misewich)
3 Jason Robinson (M Ross & P Tyler)

Chad Kupczyk in Goal.

Shots on Goal: Grizzlies 48 - Eagles 29.

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Game 4 In The Forum:
The Grizzlies, down three games to none, scored first (short-handed) and never looked back ending the 1st period leading 4-1, even after having 2 goals disallowed.
In the 2nd, the Grizzlies scored once, had another disallowed goal and led 5-2.
In the 3rd, both teams scored once and the Grizzlies won 6-3 to stave off elimination.

Grizzlies scorers: 1st period:
1 Paul Girodat SH (K Mitchell & T Murray)
2 Jason Robinson (T Wagman & M Ross)
3 Hillar Rooneem (S Middleton & J Downey)
4 Jason Robinson (P Tyler)

Grizzlies scorers: 2nd period:
5 Croft Kurka (J Downey & D Switzer)

Grizzlies scorers: 3rd period:
6 Jason Misewich (Unassisted)

Chad Kupczyk in Goal.

Game Stars:
#1 Jason Robinson
#2 Matt Ross
#3 Brent McAfee

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Game 5 In Invermere:
The Grizzlies picked the opportune time to win their first game this season in Invermere. Down 3-1 in the series, the Grizzlies scored once in the 1st and twice in the 2nd to take a 3-0 lead. In the 3rd period the Rockies scored twice to narrow the Grizzlies lead. With 2:33 remaining in the game, Jordan Cochrane scored the Grizzlies 4th goal, which stood as the game winner as the Rockies pulled their goaltender with 45 seconds left and scored a goal with the extra forward. The Grizzlies held on to win 4-3 and narrow the series 4 games to 2 in favor of the Rockies.

Grizzlies scorers: 1st period:
1 Matt Ross (J Robinson & P Tyler)

Grizzlies scorers: 2nd period:
2 Scott Dafoe (T Murray)
3 Jason Robinson PP (P Tyler & D Switzer)

Grizzlies scorers: 3rd period:
4 Jordan Cochrane (J Misewich & H Rooneem)

Chad Kupczyk in Goal.

Shots on Goal: Grizzlies 43 - Rockies 42.

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Game 6 In The Forum:
It was a must win game for the Grizzlies to continue in the series. The 1st period went well as the Grizzlies led 3-2. In the 2nd the Grizzlies managed just one goal and fell behind 5-4. In the 3rd the Grizzlies changed goalies but were unable to score. The Rockies got a short-handed marker to win 6-4 and end the Grizzlies season.

Grizzlies scorers: 1st period:
1 Blaine Ford (P Girodat & K Mitchell)
2 Keith Mitchell (P Girodat & B Ford)
3 Dylan Switzer (Unassisted).

Chad Kupczyk in Goal for 1st & 2nd periods, Aaron Byrnes played the 3rd.

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REVELSTOKE GRIZZLIES 1999 - 2000 Play Off Stats

KIJHL 1999-2000 Eddie Mountain Division Winners: Sicamous Eagles

KIJHL 1999-2000 Neil Murdoch Winners: Nelson Leafs

KIJHL 1999-2000 League Champions: Nelson Leafs

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Mid Season Misfortune:
The season was marred by a tragic accident that occurred late Saturday afternoon, Jan. 8th. One of the Grizzlies players, Stu Middleton, lost his father in a motor vehicle accident. As the Grizzlies were boarding their bus at the Forum for their game in Golden, Middleton's father and grandfather were on their way to Golden to watch Stu play that night for the Grizzlies. Instead, his vehicle was one of the three involved in the collision on the Trans-Canada Highway near the snowsheds east of Revelstoke. Stu Middleton's father died in the accident. His grandfather, though seriously injured, recovered.

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End Of Season Highlight:
The Grizzlies mandate has always stressed the importance of education. The following was received in the mail April 25, 2000 from Revelstoke Secondary School.

ATTENTION: Larry Black - GM Revelstoke Grizzlies.

Dear Mr. Black:

I have had the opportunity to review the academic performance and work ethic of the hockey players who joined us at Revelstoke Secondary School this year to continue their studies.

I would like to complement both the players and the executive. Being a member of the Grizzlies team requires a great deal of time and effort and yet the boys have also been able to remain very focused in maintaining high standards in their school work. My congratulations to the players, but my thanks to the executive. Without your support, the players would have found it more difficult to maintain their academic focus.

As Principal of the High School, I would like to be able to work closely with you to assist the players in being successful in both arenas.

Please do not hesitate to call if you have any concerns that need to be discussed. Once again, my thanks and congratulations.

Yours truly,

Sharon Ballinger,

Principal, Revelstoke Secondary School.