Players to watch.. Tyler Matthews

August 12 – The Okotoks Oilers acquire the rights of Tyler Matthews from the Marquette Rangers (NAHL) for future considerations. Tyler is from Buffalo, NY and is a 5'11", 185lb defenceman born April 11 1989.

Training camp starts

Training camp has opened for the 2008/2009 season for the Okotoks Oilers on Thursday, August 21. Ninety players are expected to attend.
The Oilers will have a new look to them this year as only 10 players are returning to camp from the 2007-08 squad. They are Corban Knight, Chris Duszynski, Derek Rodwell, James Bannister, Brandon Hoogenboom, Justin Daigle, Brian Doust, Mason Conway, Jesse Hudkins, and goalie Braely Torris.
Michael Snider, who backstopped the UFA Bisons last year, is vying for one of the Oilers’ goalie positions. Some of the other players to watch for include Cody Ellerby, Corey Kapeller and Sam Prpich.

Dan Conacher moves on.

The Oilers announce that forward Dan Conacher has been released so he could play with the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League. Dan had 4 goals and 9 assists and 24 minutes in penalities in 29 games last year. We wish him the best of luck, and if it happens to not work out, there is a radio broadcasting job for you up here :)

Training camp opens Aug. 21st.

Yes, It' that time of year to shift our thoughts from summer to hockey. Training camps open in the next few weeks for the teams in the AJHL and our Okotoks Oilers start theirs on Thursday August 21/08 in preparation of the pre-season commencing on August 26 at home.

Corbin Gavin traded

July 29 – The Okotoks Oilers trade the AJHL/CHA rights of Corbin Gavin to the Lloydminster Bobcats for future considerations THEN...

July 31 - The Lloydminster Bobcats trade the AJHL/CHA rights of Ian McAllister and Corbin Gavin to the Grade Prairie Storm for the AJHL/CHA rights of Mackenzie Caron, completion of the Meyers deal and future considerations.

Oilers schedule released

While it is presently the middle of summer, we notice the 2008/2009 season schedule has been released. Three (3) home exhibition games run August 26 against the Olds Grizzlies, August 30th against the Calgary Canucks and September 2 against the Canmore Eagles.
Regular season play starts with 2 games at home, on Saturday, September 6 vs. Fort McMurray Oil Barons and Sunday, September 7th against St. Albert Steel.

Also hear that Jesse Hudkins is returning. It was earlier reported that he was leaving for Prinston, but a language change in the schools requirements were changed at the last moment. Good to have Jesse here for another season.

Leinweber goes to Alaska

The Okotoks Oilers are pleased to announce that 19 year old forward/defensemen Curtis Leinweber has committed to the University of Alaska Seawolves of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, in Anchorage, Alaska, for the 2008/09 season.

Curtis is from Calgary, Alberta and is a graduate of Calgary’s Edge School of Athletes. Curtis completed his second season as an Oiler and was known throughout the Alberta Junior Hockey League for his exceptional offensive abilities, accumulating 60 points this past season as a defensemen.

The Oilers General Manager/Head Coach Dan MacDonald stated, “Curtis is a rare player who is extremely effective as a forward or a defensemen. His versatility, quiet leadership, and electrifying offensive skill will be very difficult to replace. The Okotoks Oilers Hockey Club thanks Curtis for his commitment as an Oiler over the past two years, and wishes him every success with his future academic and athletic endeavors”.