The Okotoks Oilers have named their captains for the year just prior to their home opener against the Brooks Bandits tonight (Sept. 20).
It will be a historic night, being the opener for the Oilers' first full regular season since joining the BCHL.
A ceremonial puck drop is also being held to recognize the renaming of the Centennial Arena to the Viking Rentals Centre.
Player introductions will start at 7:05 p.m. with remarks from Okotoks Town Councillor Gord Lang and owner and president of Viking Rentals, Lars Petterson, before the puck drop.
Returning Oiler Jackson Rowland was officially named team captain today with Brett Wilson and Cyle Clayton serving as the assistant captains.
"Jackson is an extremely motivated and hard-working individual who has always represented the Oilers organization with pride and distinction over his time in Okotoks," Oilers head coach and general manager Tyler Deis said in a release.
"We look forward to watching him continue to grow as a player and, now, as our captain in his final junior season."
Rowland not only plays a hard-nosed game but he is a skilled forward, collecting 69 points in 74 contests last season. He also added three goals and eight points in 10 playoff appearances and was noticeable every shift he took in the playoffs before having to sit after getting injured. Even after Rowland was injured in the playoffs, he stayed with the group, sitting on the bench for morale and helping in any way he could.
Wilson is another strong choice for a leadership role with the Oilers because of his physical game, as seen in game six against the Bandits last season when he rocked Quinn McCall at centre ice. Wilson was primarily on a line with Sam Huck and Jagger Tapper, with all three using their speed and skill to their advantage. Wilson's rookie season with the Green and Gold was productive as he accumulated 46 points in 64 games.
Clayton, who was a part of the Drumheller Dragons in the AJHL last season, is no stranger to Okotoks as he played minor hockey with the Okotoks Oilers U15 AAA, U16 AAA, and U18 AAA teams. The Strathmore product wore the "A" for the Dragons last season and will now wear it as an Oilers.
Clayton has noticed fierce competition in the BCHL and predicts that the standings throughout the league will be tight.
"It's just faster in my opinion so far. In the games we have played, the pace is unreal. You don't have much time out there," says Clayton. "It's different coming to a new team, I played four years in Drum. Getting comfortable here now, so I think I can take on more of a leadership role here. I have some knowledge and always played against Okotoks, I know lots of these guys. We got a good group of guys here."
Ryder De Nys, another returning player who spent time with former assistant captains Logan Magowan and Kade Turner, explains that he is looking to be more of a leader on the team as well.
"Those guys (Magowan and Turner) were great to work with every day at the rink, during games and showed a lot of leadership towards myself. Now stepping into more of a leadership role back here with not a lot of veteran guys. I'm just looking to bring the same sort of qualities that they brought to myself," De Nys said.
De Nys said that the Green Army should get excited with the fast-paced hockey in the BCHL and hopes that many fans will come down to watch them play in the new league.
The Oilers also announced today that they have acquired Bowen Burke in a trade with the Prince George Spruce Kings for future considerations. Burke is going to wear the number six and is expected to be in the Green and Gold's lineup tonight for the home opener.
Puck drop for tonight's tilt is set for just after 7:15 p.m. following the opening ceremony,