There are more than 8,700 kilometres between Colwood and Kazakhstan, the distance 20-year-old forward Artur Gross travelled to join the Victoria Grizzlies of the BCHL. The six-foot, 170-pound winger signed with the Grizzlies in the summer, and now, he is set for his Q Centre debut. Gross began the 2025–26 campaign with Nomad Astana in the Pro Hokei Ligasy, Kazakhstan’s top professional league, before making his move to the Island. He recorded eight points through 13 games to start the season. For Gross, the decision to cross the world for hockey wasn’t a difficult one. “Canada is the home of hockey, and I’ve always wanted to experience playing here,” he told the Goldstream News Gazette. “When I heard about the Grizzlies, even players who had already been in the BCHL told me it’s a strong, well-organized team with great players and staff. When the offer came, I didn’t hesitate.” That leap of faith has brought him to a team off to a strong start. The Grizzlies sit at 7-4-0, third in the Western Conference. Their high-octane offence has been among the league’s best, with 47 goals in 11 games, trailing only the defending champion Brooks Bandits. Gross adds another weapon to that attack, not long removed from a standout showing on the international stage. He led Kazakhstan in scoring at the 2025 World Junior Championship in Ottawa, posting three goals and one assist in five games, including goals against Sweden, Czechia and Germany. “I’ll never forget scoring my first goal against Sweden, that was a special moment,” he said. “We had a really close, united team, and that helped us a lot. The tournament gave me confidence and showed me how much I’ve grown.” Last year was a banner one for many reasons, including a call-up to Barys Astana of the KHL, widely regarded as the second-best league in the world after the NHL. “I was really proud when I got the call to play for the Barys main team,” he said. “The level of play was so high, the players are skilled and can change a game in an instant. Those games were very important for me and showed me what level I need to keep working toward.” He expects his smart, creative style to translate well to the BCHL’s smaller ice and faster pace. “I’ve already played on North American-sized rinks before, so I don’t think the adjustment will be too difficult,” he said. “My hockey sense and quick decision-making will help me adapt. Still, I always try to improve every part of my game, especially the physical aspects and puck battles.” The Grizzlies have leaned heavily on strong scouting and international recruitment this season. Quebec’s Samuel Rousseau, who leads the team in scoring with 17 points, and imports like Sweden’s Vidar Blixt, Finland’s Niklas Karjalainen and California’s Max Silver fit that mold. In total, about two-thirds of the team hails from Canada, with nearly 26 per cent from the United States. Gross joins that diverse mix along with another recent addition, 16-year-old forward Eddy [https://www.goldstreamgazette.com/home/im-pumped-16-year-old-forward-from-oak-bay-joins-victoria-grizzlies-8308130]Spytz [https://www.goldstreamgazette.com/home/im-pumped-16-year-old-forward-from-oak-bay-joins-victoria-grizzlies-8308130], who has yet to make his debut. The Grizzlies’ next test comes on Oct. 24, when Gross and the team face the Alberni Valley Bulldogs as they look to extend their win streak to three games.
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