Tyler Chavez-Leech just turned 18 in December and already stands 6’3” and 200 pounds. Based on his big grip in a postgame handshake, it’s apparent he has some growing and filling out to do yet.
Chavez-Leech led the Grizzlies past the North Okanagan Knights with a four goals in a 6-0 victory on Feb. 7, extending the Grizzlies’ winning streak to six.
The rookie forward has put up great numbers in the Grizzlies’ late-season run, including great unassisted individual efforts to the net, quick hands on the finish and really good timing with rebounds.
He uses his big reach and quick release forehand and backhand to generate deadly finishes that leave the netminders little chance.
(See below our embedded postgame YouTube interview with Chavez-Leech, which includes three of his Feb. 7 goals.)
Chavez-Leech’s combination of size and scoring has garnered a fair amount of interest from higher level leagues lately. Right after our post-game video interview, a scout from Alberta is quick to corner the Saskatchewan native, proffering a business card and talk of playing in oil country. Chavez-Leech says he’s received a handful of expressions of interest in the past few weeks, and his four-goal showpiece won’t hurt.
Chavez-Leech led the Grizzlies in their one-sided effort against the Knights. They led on shots 57-28. They spent less time in the penalty box, including a penalty-free second period. They generated lots of good opportunities and worked for 60 minutes.
Goalie Aiden Doak earned the second shutout of his season and maintains a 0.919% save percentage and a 2.51 goals-against average. His return from injury has been a key part of the Grizzlies playoff run.
Carter Huber and Levi Morin also tallied goals for Revelstoke, and Steven Fiust got three first-assists, including on two of Chavez-Leech’s goals.
The Saturday night win extends the Grizzlies winning streak to six and puts them in control heading into a make-or-break final week.
Straight wins will put the Grizz past Sicamous, and will at least tie them with 100 Mile House and also earn the Grizz the tiebreaker advantage.
The Grizzlies play next on Monday afternoon in 100 Mile House.
Their last two home games will be huge for Revelstoke. They play the two teams they’re likely to face in the first round if the Grizzlies advance.
They play the Kamloops Storm again this Friday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. The teams lit up the red light 16 times in a 9-7 Grizzlies win on Feb. 6. That game was a barnstormer and the Kamloops Storm will return looking to get one back in a possible playoff preview.
Their final regular-season game is Saturday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. versus the Chase Heat, who are currently in second place in the Doug Birks Division.
The Revelstoke Mountaineer predicted it last week and it came true, so we’re doing it again: these late-season games bring out big crowds and a great atmosphere at the Revelstoke Forum. See you on Friday.
Correction: In an earlier version of this story, we misstated the time of the Saturday, Feb. 14 game. It starts at 7 p.m. at the Revelstoke Forum.
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