Jake Gricius played his junior hockey in the WHL and then decided to stay in Western Canada for his college hockey career with the University of Calgary.

Now in his fourth season with the Dinos, the Colorado Springs native has loved every minute north of the border.

“The opportunity came kind of in the midst of COVID,” said Gricius. “I had just finished up a short stint with Allen in the ECHL and faced a decision between waiting for another job to open up in the coast or utilizing my WHL scholarship and getting an education. I ultimately decided that getting a degree was the best option for me. Choosing to go to Calgary was pretty much based off a few former teammates recruiting me who played there and doing some research on the city and the school. I couldn’t visit any schools because of COVID.

“The experience has been great, the University of Calgary is a great school, Calgary is a beautiful city and I have loved my time out here so far. As far as being from a different country, unless someone knows me personally, I think they all just assume I’m Canadian.”

Gricius added that USports teams and Canadian university hockey is “super underrated.”

“The hockey is super physical and competitive,” Gricius said. “Most of the league is made up of former WHL players, some who were NHL draft picks that just need some more development. There has been a lot of players from USports that go on to play pro hockey in either North America or Europe. A few guys even sign NHL contracts, so it definitely doesn’t get enough credit in my opinion.”

As someone who had to choose between WHL and NCAA, Gricius offered his thoughts on the new rule allowing major junior players to now play NCAA Division I hockey.

“I think it’s amazing that WHL players can now go play in the NCAA and further their hockey careers and academics,” said Gricius, who skated for the Portland Winterhawks in the WHL. “I think school is so important for players to have in their back pocket just in case something goes wrong or they don’t pan out or whatever the case may be. I selfishly wish this rule got changed back when I was in the WHL, but I think it’s great that players don’t have to choose between one or the other any more. That being said, I think USports will look different in a few years than it does now, as players will most likely choose NCAA programs over Canadian universities.”

Majoring in communications and media studies in college, Gricius has ambitions to keep playing the game he loves as long as he can.

“My future hopefully allows me to play pro hockey as long as it makes sense,” Gricius said. “My decision to get my education was made so that if hockey doesn’t work out, then I have a degree to fall back on and utilize.”

Reflecting on his youth hockey days in Colorado, Gricius said many memories stand out as ones he’ll never forget.

“Looking back at my youth hockey in Colorado, I was lucky enough to play for the Colorado Thunderbirds 16U AAA team where we made it to nationals both years I was there, which was very memorable,” said Gricius. “I would say my best memories were just of being a kid playing the game I love for two great programs in the Pikes Peak Miners and Thunderbirds. Life was definitely a lot more simple back then.”

Photo/Calgary Dinos Men’s Hockey Instagram

— Matt Mackinder

(January 5, 2025)