OLDS — Moe Jamal, the new primary owner of the Olds Grizzlys junior A hockey club, says he and minority owner Jay Beagle, a former NHL player, have a two-to-three-year plan to turn the team into a contender that could push for a championship.
Jamal and Beagle, both Calgary residents, were introduced as the new ownership during an April 2 news conference in the Olds Sportsplex.
Beagle won the Stanley Cup in 2018 as a member of the Washington Capitals.
During an interview with the Albertan, Jamal listed a few reasons for his optimism, despite the fact that the Grizzlys have finished last in their division for years, including 2024-25.
Jamal said the previous ownership, the Friends of the Grizzlys, tried their best to turn the team’s fortunes around, but were unable to provide hands-on, day-to-day leadership and direction.
Jamal said he and Beagle will provide that day-to-day control and leadership.
He said another reason for his optimism is that a couple of seasons ago, he and Beagle bought the Calgary International Hockey Academy, which he described as “a disaster of a program” and turned it around.
They only had two teams when they bought the organization: a U17A team and a U17 team. The U17A team won a championship in the first year under the new ownership.
“Since then, Hockey Alberta has granted us additional teams at the U15 prep, U15 varsity (level). We're going to have a female program as well in the 26/27 season, so they've obviously recognized some of the work we've done in order to help grow that program out,” he said.
Jamal said after that success, the Friends of the Grizzlys, the former owners of the franchise, approached he and Beagle about buying the team.
“Jay and I really got excited about that opportunity and really wanted to get our hands on it. We're super passionate about it,” Jamal said.
“We kind of thought it was close to home. They had obviously played in the AJ, and so it was a perfect fit for us, and we felt we could do some great things for the town.”
He said a third reason they think they can turn the franchise around is that through their organization and Beagle’s connections made throughout his hockey career, they can recruit the players needed to make the turnaround happen.
“I just think it's not just getting the player, it's getting the right type of player that wants to be here that's going to make the difference,” Jamal said.
“And I think when you see a plan in place, people are drawn to that, players are drawn to that and will want to be here.”
Jamal is president and general manager of the club.
Beagle is a minority shareholder within the company and will serve in a supportive capacity.
“He's just a great guy that I've had a great working relationship with. He's just the most positive human I've ever met my life,” Jamal said.
“He's going to be around for whatever I need from him. So players on ice, you know, kind of chatting with players that might be going through some struggles, not knowing where their end game will be, bringing that pro mentality, that pro experience.”
He said another part of Beagle’s role will also be to serve as a mentor for new head coach Tyson Soloski and assistant coach Dylan Olsen.
Jamal said he chose to keep Grizzlys assistant coach and former Grizzly player Mitch Visser, who lives in Olds, because he liked what he saw.
“I really enjoyed him as a human being. I thought he was a great positive impact. He'd be the guy there at all the dryland sessions,” he said.
“He kind of really just became the guy that the other two coaches really leaned on from a day-to-day perspective and I really thought he put in a ton of effort into that team.”
The ownership is retaining a few people who were on staff prior to the purchase.
Matt Hnatiuk is assistant GM and director of scouting. Kevin Watson will maintain his role in business development/management.
Julie Johnston remains in her role as billet coordinator and administrative assistant.
