Massimo Urbani and Ben Groome have spent most of their hockey seasons practicing and honing their skills. They hope time as depth players with the Nanaimo Clippers will pay dividends down the road. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Team Players

VIDEO: Clippers rookies embracing depth role with the club

Mar 7, 2024 | 9:40 AM

NANAIMO — For Massimo Urbani and Ben Groome this hockey season has been a steady dose of practicing and working out, but very few games.

Urbani has dressed for a handful of games but hasn’t played yet while Groome has suited up for seven games and recorded one point.

The Clippers have used a three goalie system since day one and Urbani has tried to embrace the role as number three on the depth chart.

“We have a great relationship, we’re really close on and off the ice. It’s tough sometimes not playing any games this year but we have two strong goalies here. With Chazz coming in he’s been a great leader and a role model for me and Tyler.”

Even without game action Urbani has seen improvements in his game.

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He gives credit to goalie coach David Hutchison and also getting to be a part of a BCHL program.

“I’ve better practicing with junior players and future NCAA players as opposed to U-18 players. My overall maturity has gone up. I’m facing harder shots and a faster pace of play. All of that together has made me a better goalie.”

Ben Groome got into all of his BCHL games in September and October.

Since then he’s back practicing and working out with the team until he recently joined the U-18 Island Hockey Club of the Junior Prospects Hockey League.

“It’s pretty hectic,” Groome said. “Pretty much I’m playing games for the Island Hockey Club for the rest of their playoffs. Once that’s over I’ll be practicing again with the Clippers.”

The Clippers have a strong group of veterans and Groome said he’s found a few role models in the mix.

“Some guys I like to look up to are Noah Alvarez and Gabriel Westling. I like the way they play and how hard they work on and off the ice.”

When Groome came to Clippers training camp in September he had no idea he’d be offered a spot on the team. His hard work paid off when he made the final roster.

“I’ve been watching the Clippers ever since I can remember so it’s really living a dream right now. That first month was pretty surreal having all my friends and family come out to some of the games I was in.”

Both Urbani and Groome know there are no guarantees in junior hockey but they’d like to come back to the Clippers and play a bigger role next year.

“In practice and in workouts I work as hard as I can,” Urbani said. “I bring my work ethic every time I show up to the rink or to the gym.I think other guys see that and I just try and push them as hard as I can. I’m going to continue working hard and supporting the team, we’ll see what happens next year but I’d love to stay in Nanaimo.”

Groome feels like he’s made great strides this year which will allow him to make an impact next season.

“I can feel it, even in the practices I felt I was getting better quite a bit with all the extra ice time and the coaches helping me out and the strength training.I don’t feel I’m too far away. We have a deep team with lots of forward depth. I feel I’m right there in the mix.”

CLIP NOTES:

The Clippers have a busy weekend of games upcoming hosting the Surrey Eagles Friday, March 8 and Sunday, March 10 and visiting the Victoria Grizzlies on Saturday, March 9.

There’s starting to be some separation in the Coastal Division standings but the Clippers are in the thick of a tight battle for third place. Alberni Valley is in third right now with 55 points, the Clippers are just behind with 53 and the Victoria Grizzlies are in fifth place with 51.

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