The sa国际传媒 Hockey League first-star of the week is Noah Leibl of the Victoria Grizzlies, a California kid who has had a roundabout career in Island hockey. He came to play at Shawnigan Lake School and excelled in three seasons with the Stags’ elite U-16 through U-18 teams.
“You run out of options for hockey in San Diego at about age 13-14 and my older brother, Tyler, played at Shawnigan Lake School before me,” said Leibl.
Tyler Leibl went on to play NCAA golf at St. Olaf in Minnesota. Noah Leibl was recruited by the Cranbrook Bucks of the sa国际传媒 Hockey League out of Shawnigan Lake School but returned to the Island following a trade in December 2021 that saw Leibl come to the Grizzlies and defenceman Declan Ride go to the Bucks.
“I was so happy. It [trade] turned out perfect for me.”
The 20-year-old Leibl, who has become a veteran leader with the Grizzlies, was named BCHL first star of the week for his two goals and three assists in two Victoria victories. He beat out second-star Jason Stefanek of the Wenatchee Wild and third-star Rylee Hlusiak of the West Kelowna Warriors. Leibl’s linemate, Devon de Vries, received an honourable mention for his goal and three assists over two games.
“The award is because of my linemates,” said Leibl.
Leibl overcame a broken finger, which has limited him to 28 games this season, and has six goals and nine assists for 15 points. But his value to the club is not necessarily on the scoresheet, say his coaches and teammates.
“Noah is a great person and a great teammate and has become a leader for us on and off the ice,” said Grizzlies GM and head coach Rylan Ferster.
“It’s big for us to have secondary scoring like that. In the playoffs, top lines kind of trade-off against each other, and secondary scoring becomes the key.”
It’s getting to that point where the playoffs are now in view. Four teams have already reserved their post-season spots — Nanaimo Clippers and Surrey Eagles in the Coastal Conference and Penticton Vees and Cranbrook in the Interior Conference.
“We’re in the stretch drive,” said Ferster.
Which is when players such as Leibl, also a tenacious penalty killer, become even more crucial to success.
“I’m a reliable 200-foot forward who takes care of the puck in both ends,” he said.
“We have a team built for the playoffs and I believe we are capable of making a run.”
Although nine of his Grizzlies teammates have commitments to NCAA Div. 1 universities in the U.S., Leibl is waiting.
“It was important to me to fight back from the injury to finish off my 20-year-old season. I’m still figuring out my options but I’m focused on helping the Grizzlies win this season,” he said, displaying that team-first attitude that has won him praise among this teammates.
Leibl also played field lacrosse growing up in San Diego.
“Most of my friends from home who are in NCAA Div. 1 are there for field lacrosse, not hockey,” said Leibl.
The Grizzlies, however, are happy Leibl chose ice over field.
Leibl and the Grizzlies (18-13-6) are in Surrey tonight to play the Eagles (24-10-3) and in Langley on Saturday night to meet the Rivermen (11-24-4).
