Revelstoke Grizzlies graduates remind team to not take Revelstoke for granted

As the playoff season comes to an end, the Revelstoke Grizzlies will say goodbye to six players who will age out of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League and head off for new leagues and opportunities.

For Jett Patola, team captain and forward who played for the Grizzlies for three years, the ending is bitter sweet.

“It’s tough saying goodbye, but it’s exciting to enter the next step of my life,” he said.

He now heads to Springfield, Missouri to play for the American Collegiate Hockey Association’s Drury University Panthers.

Along with Patola, Austin Seibel, Jaylen Forsyth, Jake Neufeld, Faris Meddeb and Diego Smith will also graduate from the Grizzlies, each headed on their own new adventures. 

Seibel was accepted to Lawrence University and the Vikings hockey team in Appleton, Wisconsin, and Diego Smith will head to the Technical University of Ostrava, Czech Republic to play for the Ostrava Steel Hawks.

While Seibel only played one year as goalie for the Grizzlies, the support he received left an impact. From Revelstoke’s coaching staff and billet homes to the volunteers that help each home game run smoothly, he stressed the Revelstoke Grizzlies is more than just the players.

“Everybody cares so deeply about us, and I think they do an amazing job at taking care of us athletes,” he said.

With billet families in Revelstoke eager to welcome him back for a visit, Patola hopes he’ll be on the other side of the forum’s arena glass in the future.

“I’d love to come to a Grizzlies game, or just come back to the town for a bit and go skiing,” he said.

As for what Patola and Seibel hope to leave behind for next season and future Grizzlies players, both stressed not to take the team and the fans for granted.

“Have fun, respect the fans, respect the staff and enjoy it as much as you can because it’s a blast here,” Seibel said.

For future team captains, Patola recommended keeping as connected with fans as possible, especially the kids and youth hockey players.

“Say hi to them, joke around with them, make those connections. It’s super important to them and it goes a long way,” he said, adding that the Grizzlies’ volunteer work in the community is key in developing support. 

The crowds at the Revelstoke Forum have been a highlight game after game.

“I think anyone that plays against us looks towards how packed the barn will be,” Seibel said. “It’s very special to play in front of such a huge crowd, and we’re all very grateful for them.”

With new hockey opportunities and higher leagues on the horizon, Patola and Seibel both passed on their thanks to head coach Jiri Novack, manager Ryan Parent and the entire coaching staff over the years.

“They all did such a great job developing me as a hockey player and as an individual,” Patola said. “I’m so grateful for all the help that they gave me throughout my three years.”