An NHLer and former Grizzly was in the area last week visiting with school kids and making an appearance at the Grizzlys banquet Friday.
Jay Rosehill said he enjoys spending time with students and recalls his own experience meeting hockey players who visited his school.
“It doesn't seem that long ago, when I was in elementary school, we had some of the Olds Grizzlys players come in and it was pretty exciting,” said Rosehill, who later played two seasons for the Grizzlys.
“It made you think about what you wanted to do and gave you someone to look up to. I always enjoy doing these. They're fun for me, as well as the kids.”
Rosehill played 26 games for the Maple Leafs last season — but started the season with the Maple Leafs' minor league affiliate, the Toronto Marlies.
“It started off a little slow after making the team out of the training camp the year before,” Rosehill said, when asked to assess his season.
Early in 2011, Rosehill was called up to play for the Leafs, who went on a surge before falling just short of qualifying for the post-season.
“It was exciting,” Rosehill said of the run that saw his team register one of the best records in the NHL during the span.
“We really felt the team coming together.”
Rosehill felt he was able to make the best of his opportunity, blossoming in his role as an energy-line grinder.
“After talking to (Leafs' coach Ron Wilson) at the end of the year, he said he had more confidence in me as the year went on,” Rosehill said.
On whether or not the Leafs' hot streak was a blip on the radar screen or a sign of things to come, Rosehill referenced upstart rookie goaltender and former Red Deer Rebel James Reimer, as one reason things are looking up.
“He was able to step in and be so solid,” Rosehill said, adding that he likes the mix of players on Toronto's roster, going forward.
“We have the right group of guys in there.”
