A rugged Okotoks hockey player was named to his first all-star game since he was a Peewee.
Forward Derek Rodwell was one of four Okotoks Oilers selected for the South team, which will play in the Alberta Junior Hockey League all-star game on Jan. 30 in Fort McMurray.
The other Oilers selected were captain Brandon Hoogenboom, defenceman Quinn Sproule and goalie Sean Cahill who will make his second appearance at the all-star game.
Rodwell, who was a fifth-round pick of the New Jersey Devils in the NHL draft in June, is looking forward to the experience.
“I haven’t been in an all-star game since about Peewee, so it will be something new and exciting,” Rodwell said. “It’s great to be recognized, but I have to stay focused on playing my game and not trying to be someone else.”
Rodwell’s game is doing the things that might not show up on the AJHL stat sheets.
“A lot of things like finishing your checks, your face-offs, don’t show up on the score sheet,” said Rodwell, a Holy Trinity Academy graduate. “Just because I don’t get a point doesn’t mean I haven’t contributed.”
Rodwell is a third-year Oiler. The ‘A’ on his jersey means he has to do more than slam bodies and win face-offs.
“Being one of the older guys I have more of a leadership role,” Rodwell said. “I can tell the guys what to expect against the other teams.”
It’s not like he’s been totally absent from the score sheet, however. He is sixth on the team in scoring with 11 goals and 17 assists. Rodwell will join former Oilers Corban Knight and goalie Bradley Eidsness with the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux next season.
Hoogenboom is also making his first trip to the all-star game. His hard work and commitment the past two years has paid off and he is having his best season as an Oiler.
“I had a real good start to the season and I think that helped me get selected,” Hoogenboom said. “I have been happy with the way I have been playing. I have improved in the defensive zone. That’s helped me quite a lot because it gives me the opportunity to jump into the rush and make plays.”
Hoogenboom, a forward, is third on the Oilers in scoring with 20 goals and 13 assists. Fans going to the Centennial Arena may not be aware of it, but Hoogenboom wears the C on his jersey for half their games. He is their captain for road games while Chris Duszynski wears the C at home.
Sometimes Hoogenboom has to keep the team in check.
“We have blown three-goal leads at times and as a captain, that can get frustrating,” the Nanton native said. “They might be getting a little too cocky and you have to keep them under wraps.”
Hoogenboom was selected as a starter for the game. The third-year Oiler has not yet committed to a university hockey team.
Sproule was also selected to the starting lineup.
“Garry (Oiler coach Garry VanHereweghe) has worked with me on being more of a physical player and finishing the body,” the Oiler defenceman said.
He’s got more body to throw around. He put on 15 pounds by hitting the weights in the summer.
“Right now, we have more of a defensive mindset because we have some injuries on the blueline,” Sproule said. “So I haven’t had the chance to wheel-and-deal as much.”
Sproule, a former UFA Midget AAA Bison, has six goals and nine assists and has committed to the University of Alaska-Anchorage next year.
Cahill is making his second straight appearance in the all-star game. However, being a goalie at an all-star game is like attending your high school graduation ceremony — sure it’s an honour but you know it’s going to be a long evening.
“Our team lost 14-13 and I gave up six goals,” Cahill said with a laugh. “It’s kind of expected. No one is playing defence or taking the body. It’s really freewheeling.”
He was surprised to be invited to the all-star goalfest this season.
“I had a rough start to the year, so yeah, I was surprised I got picked,” Cahill said. His play turned around in November and recently he was named the Oilers’ number one goalie by VanHereweghe.
“It builds your confidence and gets you on a roll. When you play back-to-back games it helps a lot,” he said, adding that the strong play of Oiler rookie goalie Mike Matyas has also pushed him to be better between the pipes.
The Oilers’ improved play defensively has also made him look better.
“Garry has been preaching defence ever since he has been here,” Cahill said. He has a 13-5-1 record with a goals against average of 3.01 and a save percentage of 90.55. He will attend University of Alaska-Anchorage after his Oiler career is finished.
Although the Oilers have four players going to the game, VanHereweghe said players like the team’s top scorers, John McInnis and Duszynski, could have also been named.
He said the Oilers are like other teams in the league – only so many players can be selected.
McInnis, who is leading the team with 43 points (22 goals and 21assists), took not being selected in stride.
“I would have liked to go, but it’s not a big deal,” McInnis said. “I’m happy for these guys. Maybe next year.”
Former Oiler Mason Conway, now a member of the Fort McMurray Oil Barons, was selected to the North Division all-star team.
bcampbell@okotoks.greatwest.ca
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Oiler # 24 Tanner Olstad
Playing hockey at the Junior A level means you have to be able to make quick adjustments.
That was definitely the case for the newest Oiler. Tanner Olstad, a 17-year-old centreman, was released from a hockey team in a different country and 43 hours later he was in the Oilers’ lineup for their 5-3 victory over the Calgary Royals on Dec. 1.
Olstad was released by the Tri-City Americans in Kenniwick, Wash. of the Western Hockey League after the team’s game on Nov. 28.
“Right after the game the owner pulled me into the office and told me that I was being sent down to Okotoks,” Olstad said. “I drove home to Calgary on Sunday and I had my first practice with the Oilers on the Monday.”
The Oilers have no affiliation with any WHL team, however, because the Oilers carded Olstad two years ago, the team had his rights to play in the AJHL.
Olstad admitted on Thursday the quick transition rocked his world.
“I said good-bye to my teammates, my billets and friends from school and went home and packed,” Olstad said. “I got up the next morning and drove home. I’m kind of dreaming a bit. I had no idea that I would be here right now. I’m just hoping it can work out for the best. I’m sure everything will turn out.”
Olstad was released in order for him to receive more playing time. He had one assist in the 10 games he played in with the Americans. Tri-City had played 33 games when Olstad was released.
“It will take some time to adjust to the team and a new school (Holy Trinity Academy), but I am sure it’s going to work out,” he said. “Down there it’s 45-minute classes and up here they are 80 — I have to concentrate more.”
While it is taking time to get accustomed in the classroom he is having no trouble fitting comfortably in the Oilers’ dressing room and on the ice.
“Right now I am just getting to know my teammates and the systems,” he said. “They seem to be a great group of guys.”
Olstad considers himself a playmaker and he has been given an opportunity to show his stuff with the Oilers. He was on a line between veterans John McInnis and Kyle Reynolds on Okotoks’ three-game road trip last weekend. McInnis is the team’s leading scorer while Reynolds is fourth.
Oilers GM-head coach Garry VanHereweghe wasn’t about to let the chance to have Olstad don an Okotoks jersey pass him by.
“I dealt with Bob Tory (Americans’ general manager) and I told him that we would have a card available if Tanner did become available,” VanHereweghe said. “We want to develop him to the best of our ability and after this year we will see what happens… We want to develop kids to help them get to the goals they want to, whether it be the Western Hockey League or college.”
Sandwiching Olstad between McInnis and Reynolds could work out as well as Alberta beef between two pieces of bread.
“He’s got tremendous speed and I think the line will have tremendous chemistry,” said VanHereweghe. “They all think the game the same way.”
He said the Oilers have been in need of a playmaker since James Bannister went down with an injury.
Although Olstad has had a cup of coffee in the Western Hockey League, he hasn’t closed his doors on playing hockey in a post-secondary school.
The WHL provides players scholarship funds for post-secondary schools. Canadian and colleges allow WHL players to play hockey in their programs.
However, because the Western Hockey League players receive financial stipends, there are restrictions on those players playing in the National Collegiate Athletic Association because they are deemed professionals. AJHL players do not receive any remuneration for playing hockey.
That was definitely the case for the newest Oiler. Tanner Olstad, a 17-year-old centreman, was released from a hockey team in a different country and 43 hours later he was in the Oilers’ lineup for their 5-3 victory over the Calgary Royals on Dec. 1.
Olstad was released by the Tri-City Americans in Kenniwick, Wash. of the Western Hockey League after the team’s game on Nov. 28.
“Right after the game the owner pulled me into the office and told me that I was being sent down to Okotoks,” Olstad said. “I drove home to Calgary on Sunday and I had my first practice with the Oilers on the Monday.”
The Oilers have no affiliation with any WHL team, however, because the Oilers carded Olstad two years ago, the team had his rights to play in the AJHL.
Olstad admitted on Thursday the quick transition rocked his world.
“I said good-bye to my teammates, my billets and friends from school and went home and packed,” Olstad said. “I got up the next morning and drove home. I’m kind of dreaming a bit. I had no idea that I would be here right now. I’m just hoping it can work out for the best. I’m sure everything will turn out.”
Olstad was released in order for him to receive more playing time. He had one assist in the 10 games he played in with the Americans. Tri-City had played 33 games when Olstad was released.
“It will take some time to adjust to the team and a new school (Holy Trinity Academy), but I am sure it’s going to work out,” he said. “Down there it’s 45-minute classes and up here they are 80 — I have to concentrate more.”
While it is taking time to get accustomed in the classroom he is having no trouble fitting comfortably in the Oilers’ dressing room and on the ice.
“Right now I am just getting to know my teammates and the systems,” he said. “They seem to be a great group of guys.”
Olstad considers himself a playmaker and he has been given an opportunity to show his stuff with the Oilers. He was on a line between veterans John McInnis and Kyle Reynolds on Okotoks’ three-game road trip last weekend. McInnis is the team’s leading scorer while Reynolds is fourth.
Oilers GM-head coach Garry VanHereweghe wasn’t about to let the chance to have Olstad don an Okotoks jersey pass him by.
“I dealt with Bob Tory (Americans’ general manager) and I told him that we would have a card available if Tanner did become available,” VanHereweghe said. “We want to develop him to the best of our ability and after this year we will see what happens… We want to develop kids to help them get to the goals they want to, whether it be the Western Hockey League or college.”
Sandwiching Olstad between McInnis and Reynolds could work out as well as Alberta beef between two pieces of bread.
“He’s got tremendous speed and I think the line will have tremendous chemistry,” said VanHereweghe. “They all think the game the same way.”
He said the Oilers have been in need of a playmaker since James Bannister went down with an injury.
Although Olstad has had a cup of coffee in the Western Hockey League, he hasn’t closed his doors on playing hockey in a post-secondary school.
The WHL provides players scholarship funds for post-secondary schools. Canadian and colleges allow WHL players to play hockey in their programs.
However, because the Western Hockey League players receive financial stipends, there are restrictions on those players playing in the National Collegiate Athletic Association because they are deemed professionals. AJHL players do not receive any remuneration for playing hockey.
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.
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