Second generation winger earning his keep
Thorold rookie winger Brendan Grenville is the son of former Blackhawks winger Chris Grenville. Photo by: BILL POTRECZ
Brendan Grenville is following is his father’s footsteps.
The 18-year-old son of former Thorold Blackhawks forward Chris Grenville is carving out his own identity as a rookie winger with the Hawks.
“When I was little, I would go to his games to see him play and I would hear all the stories about how he was a goal scorer and I’m trying to live up to that as much as I can,” Brendan Grenville said.
Chris Grenville also played at the junior B level for the Niagara Falls Canucks before a long career as a professional player, mostly in the United Hockey League and Central Hockey League.
He coached his son at various levels, most recently with the Southern Tier Admirals before the pandemic.
“It was obviously a little harder knowing he was a little harder on me to do the best I could,” Brendan Grenville said.
Brendan Grenville made the jump to junior this season after playing at the A level in his hometown of Pelham last season.
He was recommenced to Thorold general/manager coach Scott Barnes by E.L. Crossley physical education director Pierre Blanchard.
“Pierre told me to have a look. He said he coached him and was a very skilled guy,” Barnes said.
Blanchard was spot on in his evaluation.
“He has the skill and hockey sense, he just hadn’t played at a high level until recently but he can score, he can shoot and make plays offensively,” Barnes said. “I knew he would transition into our league, it was just a matter of how long.
“We were on him early on and it’s a big adjustment to playing junior B. He’s coming along really well.”
Brendan Grenville went six games before netting his first junior goal at Caledonia earlier this month. Overall, he has put up good numbers with six goals and 12 points in 14 games.
“It’s a big jump,” he said. “I believed I had the tools to make the jump to the next level. My feet are getting under me now. I started the season a little bit slower but I’m catching up to the pace.
“It’s a lot faster. You don’t have as much time with the puck and make decisions quicker and keep your head up a lot more.”
He is now working to round out his game.
“One thing Barnsy and I are working on (is for) my defensive zone to be a stronger asset to my game because I believe I have the offensive tools to be successful.”
Brendan Grenville, who is studying border security Niagara College, would love to play at the next level.
“I still have the passion for the game,” he said. “I still love it. Wherever it takes me, it takes me. I hope to go the farthest that I can. Even playing down in the States like my dad did. Anywhere to be honest.”
Barnes has used Brendan Grenville on a line recently with Wyatt Gibson and Nathan Kelly and the trio has been impressive.
“They are all three skilled guys who can score,” Barnes said. “We’ve found these combinations and we’re on a little bit of a roll.
“I’m just trying to get him to use the body a little bit more. He’s a big boy with some size. I just tell him to shoot the puck as much as he can.”
The Blackhawks saw their five-game winning streak come to an end with a 4-2 loss at home to the St. Catharines Falcons Saturday night.
The Falcons broke a 2-2 tie with a pair of late goals in the third to extend their winning streak to eight games.
Nate Shirton collected a hat-trick for the Falcons while Colton Chipman also scored.
Stephen Toltl made 19 saves for the win.
Gibson and Kelly replied for the Hawks.
Christian Lynch kicked out 50 shots in a losing effort.
“Was nice to get down to Port and see Thorold for the first time all year,” Falcons coach Tyler Bielby said. “Happy to walk away with the two points and thought the guys put together a solid effort all weekend.
“Nate Shirton challenged himself internally after Friday’s night’s game. It was nice to see him be rewarded with a hat trick.”
The Falcons lead the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, Golden Horseshoe Conference standings with a 12-2-1 record.
“It’s important to stay humble and hungry,” Bielby added. “We now turn our attention to a big week versus Niagara Falls and Hamilton. We look forward to doing it all over again this coming week.”
Hawk talk: The Blackhawks honoured former Port Colborne Sailor Todd Moore before the game with a moment of silence. Moore, who played five seasons for the Sailors, passed away recently.
Kilty B’s 5 Meteors 4 OT
Dawson McKinney’s second goal of the game, 4:16 into overtime, lifted the Hamilton Kilty B’s past the Fort Erie Meteors at the Leisureplex Saturday.
It was the second straight loss in overtime for the Mets, who also dropped a 6-5 decision in extra time at St. Catharines Saturday.
Noah Vandenbrink, Connor Haynes, Nathan Phillips added singles for Hamilton.
Marcus Regina paced Fort Erie with a pair of goals, including his second of the game to tie the score at 4-4 with less than a minute remaining. Brad Ditillio and Cameron Thorpe also scored.
Corvairs 5 Junior Canadians 2
Zachary Naherne had two goals and two assists as the Caledonia Corvairs held off the visiting Welland Junior Canadians Saturday.
Brennan Kennedy, Connor Doerbecker and Tristian Huinink added singles.
Marek Pavlas made 31 saves for the win.
Thomas Shain and Peter Spameni replied for Welland.
SUNDAY
Panthers 2 Corvairs 1
The Pelham Panthers got back on the winning track, upsetting the Corvairs Sunday afternoon in Pelham.
Damon Radley gave Pelham a 1-0 lead in the first period before Caledonia tied the game at 1-1 in the second on a goal by Dylan Dekoe.
Damon Beattie then scored the winner at 6:52 of the third for Pelham.
Keegan Jackson made 43 saves in net for the Panthers who halted an 11-game losing streak.
“Our guys keep battling hard and we found a way to win short bodies,” Panthers general manager Tim Toffolo said. “A lot of our young guys are really learning and stepping up. Damon Radley and Damon Bettie both had great games and Jackson was sold as well.”
Junior Canadians 4 Canucks 2
Tyler Isherwood’s two goals in the third period were the difference as the Welland Junior Canadians doubled the visiting Niagara Falls Canucks
Brady Afelskie and Owin Hendsbee also scored for Welland.
Jake McKinstray and Braden Carruthers replied for the Canucks.
Coulter Taylor made 31 saves in goal for Welland.
THIS WEEK
TUESDAY
Niagara Falls at St. Catharines, 7 p.m.
THURSDAY
Welland at Hamilton, 7 p.m.
FRIDAY
Hamilton at St. Catharines, 7 p.m.
Fort Erie at Niagara Falls, 7 p.m.
Pelham at Thorold (at Port Colborne), 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
Caledonia at Fort Erie, 7 p.m.
SUNDAY
Thorold at Pelham, 2:45 p.m.
Caledonia at Welland, 7 p.m.
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