The Abbotsford Canucks of the American Hockey League (AHL) have announced the signing of former Okotoks Oiler Zach Okabe on August 14.
Okabe was originally born in Fukuoka, Japan, and spent his early years in Australia, but grew up in Okotoks during his high school years, playing in their minor hockey system. He is the fourth Japanese-born player to take part in an AHL season in the league's history.
This isn't his first stint in the AHL though, as he played with the Cleveland Monsters for nine games last season posting three points in that period. Okabe also played in a single playoff game for the Monsters.
He started his junior hockey with the Victoria Grizzlies playing in one game during the 2016-2017 season. In the following season, Okabe suited up for 58 games for the Grande Prairie Storm of the AJHL and was near a point-per-game player with 57 points.
Okabe added another five points in nine games during the postseason. The next season he donned the Storm jersey for 60 games and again was a near-point-per-game player getting 58 points with 31 of them coming from goals.
Okabe then went off to college and played five seasons with St. Cloud State University of the NCAA and in his last season with the school he was named the assistant captain. He posted 119 points in 176 games during his five-year tenure with St. Cloud State University.
While Okabe was on the Monster for a short stint last year on an Amateur try-out, the deal with the Canucks is a one-year contract for the 2024-2025 season in the AHL. The 5'9, 170-pound winger will aim to play a bigger role with the Canucks than he did with the Monsters.