Friday, December 4, 2009
John McInnis, #21, Okotoks Oilers
The head coach of the Okotoks Junior A Oilers describes one of his forwards as pretty dependable.
It’s a bit of an understatement. John McInnis’ironman streak sits at 91 games played without missing time due to injury, illness or even a healthy scratch. Oiler bench boss Gary VanHereweghe said as long as McInnis can lace up his skates, he’ll play.
“He’s the type of kid that doesn’t take no for an answer if it comes to playing time,” said VanHereweghe.
McInnis has tallied 86 points in 91 games played, a streak that began last season. As of Nov. 30, McInnis had 31 points in 29 games played this campaign.
“I hate missing games no matter what. I don’t think I’ve missed a game in probably four years,” said McInnis. Sick, hurt, tired, whatever McInnis said he just shakes it off and gets out there. Like a perpetual-motion machine, once McInnis is moving, he stays moving regardless of how under the weather he might feel.
“It’s kind of like a wall, once you get past it, you’re fine and you’re good for the rest of the game or practice,” said McInnis. Perhaps making the streak all that more impressive is the fact McInnis does not shy away from the most physical aspects of the game.
On two occasions VanHereweghe has seen McInnis flying in to rescue a teammate getting shoved around by an opponent. Watching his teammates getting roughed up is perhaps the one thing that sets McInnis off, otherwise he doesn’t seek out fisticuffs.
“I play with (Kyle) Reynolds and Hoogie (Brandon Hoogenboom), who are not the biggest guys on the team,” said McInnis.
A Plymouth, Mass., native, McInnis said he would like to return home after his tour of duty with the Oilers and skate for one of six major universities in the Boston area. “They are all over the place, I’ve talked to BC (Boston College) a little bit,” said McInnis.
VanHereweghe said McInnis is committed to his hockey and his leadership skills are apparent. All through his minor career McInnis has been a captain and even though he doesn’t wear the ‘C’ with the Oilers, he still looks upon himself as a leader with the club.
“As a 20-year-old guy I have to set the tone for some of the guys who really don’t know the way,” said McInnis.
2 December 2009 by Rick Northrop - Staff Reporter. The Western Wheel
It’s a bit of an understatement. John McInnis’ironman streak sits at 91 games played without missing time due to injury, illness or even a healthy scratch. Oiler bench boss Gary VanHereweghe said as long as McInnis can lace up his skates, he’ll play.
“He’s the type of kid that doesn’t take no for an answer if it comes to playing time,” said VanHereweghe.
McInnis has tallied 86 points in 91 games played, a streak that began last season. As of Nov. 30, McInnis had 31 points in 29 games played this campaign.
“I hate missing games no matter what. I don’t think I’ve missed a game in probably four years,” said McInnis. Sick, hurt, tired, whatever McInnis said he just shakes it off and gets out there. Like a perpetual-motion machine, once McInnis is moving, he stays moving regardless of how under the weather he might feel.
“It’s kind of like a wall, once you get past it, you’re fine and you’re good for the rest of the game or practice,” said McInnis. Perhaps making the streak all that more impressive is the fact McInnis does not shy away from the most physical aspects of the game.
On two occasions VanHereweghe has seen McInnis flying in to rescue a teammate getting shoved around by an opponent. Watching his teammates getting roughed up is perhaps the one thing that sets McInnis off, otherwise he doesn’t seek out fisticuffs.
“I play with (Kyle) Reynolds and Hoogie (Brandon Hoogenboom), who are not the biggest guys on the team,” said McInnis.
A Plymouth, Mass., native, McInnis said he would like to return home after his tour of duty with the Oilers and skate for one of six major universities in the Boston area. “They are all over the place, I’ve talked to BC (Boston College) a little bit,” said McInnis.
VanHereweghe said McInnis is committed to his hockey and his leadership skills are apparent. All through his minor career McInnis has been a captain and even though he doesn’t wear the ‘C’ with the Oilers, he still looks upon himself as a leader with the club.
“As a 20-year-old guy I have to set the tone for some of the guys who really don’t know the way,” said McInnis.
2 December 2009 by Rick Northrop - Staff Reporter. The Western Wheel
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Win some, Lose some ...
Every notice how the AJHL (or even the NHL) season progresses, teams win some games they shouldn't, and lose some games they should have won?
Such was the case on Friday night in St. Albert where the Oilers should have won. With the score tied 1-1 and about half way through the third period, and with the Oilers outplaying the Steel, James Bannister scores on the PP to put us up 2-1.
Everything all rosey right!. WRONG!!!
Two lazy penalties for holding late in the game gave St. Albert two powerplays in the last three minutes in the game and they score on both of them. 3-2 St. Albert final.
urrggg!!!! How frustrating for the team, letting a game slip through their fingers.
Yes, you win some and lose some during the season. It's always nice to win the games your shouldn't win, but ouch, it hurts to lose a game you should have won.
Such was the case on Friday night in St. Albert where the Oilers should have won. With the score tied 1-1 and about half way through the third period, and with the Oilers outplaying the Steel, James Bannister scores on the PP to put us up 2-1.
Everything all rosey right!. WRONG!!!
Two lazy penalties for holding late in the game gave St. Albert two powerplays in the last three minutes in the game and they score on both of them. 3-2 St. Albert final.
urrggg!!!! How frustrating for the team, letting a game slip through their fingers.
Yes, you win some and lose some during the season. It's always nice to win the games your shouldn't win, but ouch, it hurts to lose a game you should have won.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Rookie Oiler brings some
As the Okotoks Junior A Oilers refocus their sights on making a run at the RBC Cup it is a rookie on the roster who brings some championship experience to the club.
Oiler rookie Ben Gamache was the captain of the Notre Dame Hounds who won the Telus Cup as the best Midget AAA team in Canada last April in Selkirk, MB.
“Going into the Telus Cup we had nothing on our mind except to win,” Gamache said. “We ended up tying the first game to the Buffs (the Calgary Buffaloes). We knew we had a good chance to meet them in the final and so we had a pretty good idea what it would take to beat them.”
The Hounds shut out the Buffaloes 4-0 in the final and Gamache scored the final goal. “It was a real bonus to score that goal on TV with my family watching from back home,” said Gamache, who hails from Long Lac, ON.
Gamache had seven goals and three assists in the Telus Cup tournament and was selected the tournament’s top forward.
Attending the famed Notre Dame private school in Wilcox, SK was a rewarding experience for the Oiler freshman. “Notre Dame is really different than other Midget teams,” Gamache said. “You are always with the team — you eat with the team, you sleep with the team. You do everything with the team. “It really builds team bonding.”
He said hockey is No. 1 in Wilcox which is just south of Regina.
“It’s a small town —the school is bigger than the town,” Gamache said. “But people who have lived there for years know who you are because of the hockey teams. It’s a really nice community.”
Going to Notre Dame opened other doors for Gamache besides the swinging gate going onto the ice. “I now know people from Korea, Switzerland and from all over the world and these are non-hockey kids,” Gamache said.
However, when he made the jump to Junior A he chose Okotoks rather than remaining in Notre Dame, which has produced such players as Wendel Clark and Vincent Lecavalier.
“I talked to some guys who have played here — Corban Knight and Chris Duszynski,” Gamache said. “Corban told me it was a great organization. I did my research and I knew it was a great community.”
Gamache first became aware that he was on the Oilers’ radar when he talked to the team’s head of scouting Jay Magnussen at the Mac’s Midget Tournament last December. The Oilers were able to close the deal after former coach Dan MacDonald and Magnussen saw Gamache play at the Western Regionals in Moose Jaw.
“I got a phone call asking me to give Okotoks a shot and I didn’t hesitate,” Gamache said. “Notre Dame tried hard to get me to stay my last month of school, but I thought Okotoks was a better choice for me at this time.”
New Oiler coach and GM Garry VanHereweghe said he is delighted to be reaping the benefits of MacDonald’s and Magnussen’s hard work in recruiting Gamache.
“Any time you get a player off a national champion it will pay dividends,” VanHereweghe said. “Kids who come out of Notre Dame are very disciplined and they are also used to being away from home.”
The Oilers have had success in the past with recruits from Notre Dame as former Oiler Andrew Owsiak, who is now playing at Dartmouth, also played Midget at Notre Dame.
VanHerewghe said Gamache is tenacious and battles in the corner and is not afraid to do the dirty work in front of the net.
“He has to work on his speed — his first two strides. He has to work on his acceleration,” VanHereweghe said. “But he has a good work ethic and it will come.
“I’m not afraid to use him in any situation.” Gamache has two goals and one assist with the Oilers this year.
By Bruce Campbell
Sports Editor
Western Wheel
Oiler rookie Ben Gamache was the captain of the Notre Dame Hounds who won the Telus Cup as the best Midget AAA team in Canada last April in Selkirk, MB.
“Going into the Telus Cup we had nothing on our mind except to win,” Gamache said. “We ended up tying the first game to the Buffs (the Calgary Buffaloes). We knew we had a good chance to meet them in the final and so we had a pretty good idea what it would take to beat them.”
The Hounds shut out the Buffaloes 4-0 in the final and Gamache scored the final goal. “It was a real bonus to score that goal on TV with my family watching from back home,” said Gamache, who hails from Long Lac, ON.
Gamache had seven goals and three assists in the Telus Cup tournament and was selected the tournament’s top forward.
Attending the famed Notre Dame private school in Wilcox, SK was a rewarding experience for the Oiler freshman. “Notre Dame is really different than other Midget teams,” Gamache said. “You are always with the team — you eat with the team, you sleep with the team. You do everything with the team. “It really builds team bonding.”
He said hockey is No. 1 in Wilcox which is just south of Regina.
“It’s a small town —the school is bigger than the town,” Gamache said. “But people who have lived there for years know who you are because of the hockey teams. It’s a really nice community.”
Going to Notre Dame opened other doors for Gamache besides the swinging gate going onto the ice. “I now know people from Korea, Switzerland and from all over the world and these are non-hockey kids,” Gamache said.
However, when he made the jump to Junior A he chose Okotoks rather than remaining in Notre Dame, which has produced such players as Wendel Clark and Vincent Lecavalier.
“I talked to some guys who have played here — Corban Knight and Chris Duszynski,” Gamache said. “Corban told me it was a great organization. I did my research and I knew it was a great community.”
Gamache first became aware that he was on the Oilers’ radar when he talked to the team’s head of scouting Jay Magnussen at the Mac’s Midget Tournament last December. The Oilers were able to close the deal after former coach Dan MacDonald and Magnussen saw Gamache play at the Western Regionals in Moose Jaw.
“I got a phone call asking me to give Okotoks a shot and I didn’t hesitate,” Gamache said. “Notre Dame tried hard to get me to stay my last month of school, but I thought Okotoks was a better choice for me at this time.”
New Oiler coach and GM Garry VanHereweghe said he is delighted to be reaping the benefits of MacDonald’s and Magnussen’s hard work in recruiting Gamache.
“Any time you get a player off a national champion it will pay dividends,” VanHereweghe said. “Kids who come out of Notre Dame are very disciplined and they are also used to being away from home.”
The Oilers have had success in the past with recruits from Notre Dame as former Oiler Andrew Owsiak, who is now playing at Dartmouth, also played Midget at Notre Dame.
VanHerewghe said Gamache is tenacious and battles in the corner and is not afraid to do the dirty work in front of the net.
“He has to work on his speed — his first two strides. He has to work on his acceleration,” VanHereweghe said. “But he has a good work ethic and it will come.
“I’m not afraid to use him in any situation.” Gamache has two goals and one assist with the Oilers this year.
By Bruce Campbell
Sports Editor
Western Wheel
Monday, October 12, 2009
Okotoks Oilers win 2
After a loss to the Calgary Canucks on the day coach Dan McDonald got fired, two straight convincing wins at home makes new coach Garry VanHereweghe look pretty good.
The new coach has instilled a new vigar into this team. Was it that the guys gave up on Dan?? Lets hope not, but whatever happened, I hope it continues.
The new coach has instilled a new vigar into this team. Was it that the guys gave up on Dan?? Lets hope not, but whatever happened, I hope it continues.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Okotoks Oilers fire coach.
Garry VanHereweghe didn’t take long to adjust to his new role as head coach and general manager of the Okotoks Oilers — but, frankly, he had no choice.
After the Alberta Junior Hockey League club announced the firing of former head coach and general manager Dan MacDonald on Monday, VanHereweghe immediately took over. He had spent two years at the club’s helm from 2005-07 and was put to work again Monday evening as the Oilers paid a visit to the Calgary Canucks at the Max Bell Centre.
“For whatever reason, the chemistry just wasn’t there between the players and the team,” said VanHereweghe, who worked as the Oilers’ director of player personnel before leaving to work a security position on a U.S. cruise line. “If you look back at Dan’s last two seasons, certainly you’d have to say they were successful. Second place finish and certainly very high points in both seasons. Well, well above the .500 record.
“You have to look at where they’re at (now) . . . obviously, there will be some tinkering done.”
In two seasons with the Oilers, MacDonald, hired in the summer of 2007, led the team to an 84-30-3-7 regular-season record and to the post-season twice. In 2008, the group was eliminated in the first round by the Drumheller Dragons; 2009 saw the Oilers bow to the Olds Grizzlies in the second round. Heading into Monday’s game, the group was 3-6 — second last in the AJHL’s south division ahead of the Calgary Royals (1-7).
“This has been a very difficult decision for the Oilers’ board of directors, but it was felt that the hockey club was not progressing and the change was necessary,” said Oilers president Wayne Lauinger. “Dan has worked extremely hard during his tenure with the Oilers and has positively affected the lives of many aspiring hockey players.”
kodland@theherald.canwest.com
After the Alberta Junior Hockey League club announced the firing of former head coach and general manager Dan MacDonald on Monday, VanHereweghe immediately took over. He had spent two years at the club’s helm from 2005-07 and was put to work again Monday evening as the Oilers paid a visit to the Calgary Canucks at the Max Bell Centre.
“For whatever reason, the chemistry just wasn’t there between the players and the team,” said VanHereweghe, who worked as the Oilers’ director of player personnel before leaving to work a security position on a U.S. cruise line. “If you look back at Dan’s last two seasons, certainly you’d have to say they were successful. Second place finish and certainly very high points in both seasons. Well, well above the .500 record.
“You have to look at where they’re at (now) . . . obviously, there will be some tinkering done.”
In two seasons with the Oilers, MacDonald, hired in the summer of 2007, led the team to an 84-30-3-7 regular-season record and to the post-season twice. In 2008, the group was eliminated in the first round by the Drumheller Dragons; 2009 saw the Oilers bow to the Olds Grizzlies in the second round. Heading into Monday’s game, the group was 3-6 — second last in the AJHL’s south division ahead of the Calgary Royals (1-7).
“This has been a very difficult decision for the Oilers’ board of directors, but it was felt that the hockey club was not progressing and the change was necessary,” said Oilers president Wayne Lauinger. “Dan has worked extremely hard during his tenure with the Oilers and has positively affected the lives of many aspiring hockey players.”
kodland@theherald.canwest.com
Monday, October 5, 2009
Okotoks Oilers have a new coach
The Okotoks Oilers have let go coach Dan McDonald and replaced him with former Oiler coach Garry Van Hereweghe.
The official announcement should be forthcoming.
The official announcement should be forthcoming.
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