Joel Gryzbowski is finally getting his chance to play for the Saskatoon Blades.
The Hafford, Sask., native will be one of the goaltenders on the team after prospect Nolan Maier was released on Monday.
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Gryzbowski was selected by the Blades in the 11th round of the 2014 bantam draft and he’s been waiting for his shot ever since.
He played a single pre-season game last year, earning the win, but wound up spending the season with the Battlefords North Stars of the SJHL.
That may have been the best thing for Gryzbowski, who helped backstop the North Stars to a Canalta Cup championship.
“Being in North Battleford was definitely a good thing. It helped me mature and I think that was the biggest thing for me, maturing as a player and a person,” said Gryzbowski.
Blades head coach Dean Brockman said that experience paid off for Gryzbowski.
“He certainly has played in some big games at the Western Canadian Championship so for him, he’s a patient goalie and he had patience with us while we were trying to decide,” Brockman said.
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Gryzbowski said he is looking forward to playing for his hometown team.
“It’s pretty special, especially playing for your hometown team. You remember growing up as a kid watching these guys play, you always knew you wanted to be here,” Gryzbowski said.
The puck drops on the Blades 2017-18 season this Friday when they host the Swift Current Broncos at SaskTel Centre.
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