Mar 14, 2025 | Player News
The Colorado Grit of the North American Hockey League are excited to announce the tender signing of Ethan Bombalski.
Ethan is a 2006 defender from Apollo, PA. Bombalski had a outstanding season playing for the Pittsburgh Stars 18UAAA team posting 21 goals and 34 assists for 55 points in 68 games.
“Ethan is a good defender, difficult to play against and obviously has the ability to put up points which checks a lot of boxes for us stated Grit Head Coach Kevin Holmstrom. He has a great attitude, is driven and comes from a outstanding program and staff in coach Dave Kosik in Pittsburgh. We look forward to seeing him in Greeley!”
Bombalski stated “I am thrilled to be heading to Colorado. The Grit is a fantastic organization and I am grateful to be joining the team and making a impact. Can’t wait to get to work in Greeley!”
Welcome to the Grit Ethan!
Mar 14, 2025 | Game Recap
After the week off, the Colorado Grit returned to home ice, ready for a battle against the New Mexico Ice Wolves. The energy was high, but despite a gritty effort, they couldn’t complete the comeback, falling 5-2.
The game opened with intensity, both teams pushing the pace early. Colorado goaltender Peter Sterling stood tall, making a massive breakaway stop to keep the game scoreless.
Wolves Andrew Earl deflected a point shot to open the scoring for the Wolves. Sterling continued to shine, robbing the Wolves near the end of the frame. However, despite his efforts, the Grit trailed 1-0 heading into intermission.
The Ice Wolves got another one to go early in the second, but the Grit looked to battle back. Their persistence paid off when defenseman Luke Helgeson buried a rebound on the power play, cutting the deficit to 2-1 with seven minutes left.
The Ice wolves answered back with a goal from Ethan Hull. Before the period ended, Stanley Hubbard tacked on another for the Wolves, putting the Grit in a 4-1 hole heading into the final 20 minutes.
Determined to claw back, Colorado came out aggressive in the third. William Johnson ignited the push, netting his 12th goal of the season early in the period. The Grit poured on the pressure, battling for every puck, but New Mexico’s defense held firm.
With time winding down, the Grit pulled Sterling for an extra attacker, but the Ice Wolves capitalized, sealing the game with an empty-net goal.
Despite the loss, Colorado showed resilience, especially in the third. The Grit will get a chance to bounce back tomorrow against the Ice Wolves at the Greeley Ice Haus.
Mar 12, 2025 | Player News
The Colorado Grit of the North American Hockey League are excited to announce the tender signing of forward Brayden Olsen. Brayden is a 2007 forward from Northfield, MN. Olsen had a great season playing for Lakeville South High in Minnesota posting 13 goals and 18 assists in 30 games helping his team to the Minnesota State AA quarter finals.
Brayden is very familiar with the Grit and Greeley Colorado spending the fall training and skating with the Grit prior to his high school season at home. Brayden on his return to Colorado “I am very excited and looking forward to coming back to the Grit! It is a awesome organization and I am excited to get to Colorado and into the team atmosphere. I look forward to getting better and to contribute to the success of the Grit!
Grit Head Coach Kevin Holmstrom “We are thrilled to welcome Brayden back to the Grit! He is a skilled forward with the ability to score and play a complete game. Jesse Predhomme and Todd McIlrath from our staff have been up to see him play in the last month with nothing but good reports on his progress. He had a great camp with us in the fall and has grown as a player over the course of his season to set himself up for a great year!”
Welcome to the Grit Brayden!
Mar 1, 2025 | Game Recap
COLORADO GRIT 3, LONE STAR BRAHMAS 2
March 1, 2025 | NYTEX Sports Centre
Looking to bounce back, the Colorado Grit responded in a big way, grinding out a hard-fought 3-
2 victory over the Lone Star Brahmas on Saturday. Fueled by physical play and a strong
defensive effort, the Grit held off a late push to earn their first win over the Brahmas this season.
Ready to flip the script from the last game, the Grit came out with intensity. Both teams traded
hits early, setting the stage for a physical battle. Despite quality chances on both ends, neither
team could break through, and the first period ended scoreless.
The game opened up in a big way in the second, starting just 44 seconds in when Brahmas
forward August Classon put Lone Star on the board. The Grit wasted no time
responding—George Poirier buried a shot to even things up. Colorado kept pushing, and their
persistence paid off as Lucca Ori and Ben Rakowski struck within two minutes of each other,
giving the Grit a 3-1 advantage. Owen Kerr answered for the Brahmas late in the period, cutting
the lead to 3-2 heading into intermission.
The second frame wasn’t just about goals—it was about grit. The physical play boiled over,
leading to 13 penalties, including multiple unsportsmanlike conduct calls. Both teams made it
clear they weren’t backing down.
With a one-goal lead, the Grit dug in defensively, shutting down Lone Star’s attack. The
Brahmas pressed hard, but Colorado’s blue line and goaltending held firm. Despite a frantic final
push, the Grit refused to break, grinding out a statement victory.
The Grit showed resilience, answering Friday’s loss with a gutsy win. Looking forward, the Grit
will face the New Mexico Ice Wolves on the 14th.
Feb 28, 2025 | Game Recap
LONE STAR BRAHMAS 7, COLORADO GRIT 0
February 28, 2025 | NYTEX Sports Centre
The Colorado Grit came into Friday night’s matchup looking for a win against the Lone Star
Brahmas this season. Instead, they ran into a hot Brahmas squad that capitalized early and
never let up, handing the Grit a tough 7-0 loss. The Grit will get their shot at redemption in a
rematch tomorrow night.
The Brahmas struck first—and often. Lone Star stormed out with four goals in the first 11
minutes, putting Colorado on its heels. Charlie Masek, Ryan Comishock, Kristo Pitkanen, and
Owen Kerr all found the net before the Grit could settle in. Comishock added another before the
period ended, sending Colorado into the break down 5-0.
The Grit looked to reset, tightening up defensively and pushing back along the boards. But at
10:26, Charlie Emmons extended the Brahmas’ lead. Colorado kept battling, searching for a
spark, but with just 14 seconds left in the period, Brody Neish slipped in a wraparound goal,
making it 7-0.
With the game out of reach, the Grit locked things down in the final frame. The defense held
firm, and both goaltenders stood tall. While the Grit couldn’t break through offensively, they
played with the kind of pride and grit that will be key in Saturday’s rematch.
Friday was a wake up call, and the team will look to come out hot tomorrow and get back to Grit
hockey. With another shot at the Brahmas less than 24 hours away, the Grit will turn their focus
on the game tomorrow and look to move on from the tough night.
