Indiana Grossbard has been the Clippers top scoring rookie this season. He looks to continue improving in the second half and beyond with at least one more full year in Nanaimo on the horizon. (Damon James/Island Images Photography)

By Dan Marshall

Freshman Class

Clippers’ Grossbard coming into his own in rookie BCHL season

Dec 11, 2025 | 2:04 PM

NANAIMO — On a team loaded with veterans, Clippers forward Indiana Grossbard is navigating his way through his rookie BCHL season.

The American-born forward is just shy of his 18th birthday and has garnered eight points in the team’s first 25 games.

Grossbard is the only rookie forward on the roster, with Antoine Cormier on defence, and Dryden Riley in goal as the other first-year junior players.

As the season nears the halfway point Grossbard is pleased with his progress.

“It’s gone well. Obviously the team has done well. It’s an older group so obviously that’s a bit different. The guys have been awesome to me and I’m just trying to get better each day and get adjusted to the hockey.”

Freshman Class

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Aside from just point production, Grossbard has seen improvements in other areas of his game during his time in Nanaimo.

“I think I’ve definitely grown as a player with the coaching staff and the players around me. I think my compete has gotten better, my 200 foot game has gotten better and being here has taught me the importance of going hard every shift.”

Grossbard had his first-ever multi-point game with a pair of goals in a late-November game against the Langley Rivermen.

He said it was nice to see a glimpse of the offensive player he hopes to become as a Clipper.

“I got some opportunity in that game and I think I took advantage of it. It was nice to get points but at the end of the day I need to turn the page and continue to get better.”

Grossbard has an NCAA commitment to Dartmouth but he expects to play in Nanaimo for a while yet.

“The plan is for me to be here next year and then after that it depends how I do, but I’m not focused on that. I’m focused on trying to get better here and make strides in my game. They (Dartmouth) just want me to grow my game.”

Improved consistency in the second half of the season will be important from a team standpoint according to Grossbard and he is aiming to bring that to his own game as well.

“Personally, I’m just trying to earn more opportunity and get more comfortable. I want to try to continue to build momentum for the end of the year and next year.”

The Clippers have a one-game weekend coming up with the Teddy Bear Toss night on Friday, Dec. 12, against Surrey.

The Eagles are the bottom team in the BCHL but Grossbard said nobody is taking them lightly.

“We’ve lost our last three games so it’s about keeping our heads down and putting in a good effort. If we play hungry and play like we have something to prove then hopefully our skill will take over.”

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