Before this season was over the work was already being done to prepare for the next one.
The Okotoks Oilers kicked off their efforts in finalizing their roster for the 2017-18 season on Thursday, one day before its playoff run was halted, with its four-day Spring Identification Camp at the Pason Centennial Arena.
Forward Blake Wells of Blackie and Noah Wakeford of Okotoks, both affiliate players with the Oilers in the 2016-17 season, made up the local contingent in the Black and White game featuring the top 40 players from camp.
“Blake Wells was a strong contributor on the CFR Bisons and had a lot to do with their success this year,” said Oilers head scout Marv Resler. “We called him up for one game and he did not look out of place. He definitely was one of the top 99 (born) players in camp and will be moving into our top 40 to compete with our vets in June.
“We feel that Blake will definitely be there in main camp and pushing for a regular spot next year.”
There were 28 local skaters at the camp including a strong contingent from the Rocky Mountain Bantam AAA Raiders and Rockyview M15 Raiders.
Wells and Wakeford both moved a step closer to making the team as invitees to the top 40 camp in June alongside the Oilers veteran group.
“Wakeford played on the top line with the Edge Midget Prep this year and had 45 points in his first season playing at that level,” Resler added. “He had a very strong camp and will be moving into our top 40 in June as well where we will be able to get a better read on his progress this past year when he competes against our veterans.
“Both of these guys are local players that we see wearing the Oilers jersey in the near future.”
The Black and White game also featured Okotoks affiliates Zane Kindrachuk from the Calgary AAA Royals, Calgary Buffaloes defenceman Andrew Viggars, Calgary Northstar Jack Vestraete and Edge School for Athletes product Hoon Kim, to name a few.
There is ample room on the forward ranks for prospects to fill going forward.
Okotoks lost its captain Jordie Lawson, its top three scorers – forwards Trey DeGraaf, Tanner Laderoute, Jordan Xavier — and seven of the team’s top 10 point producers to graduation.
Six forward spots need to be filled as Okotoks looks to bolster an offence that ranked ninth in the Alberta Junior Hockey League in goals.
On the back-end and in goal the Oilers are in very good shape on paper.
Top-pairing defenceman Jordan Davies graduates from the program, but five promising youngsters are eligible to return alongside three-year veteran Carson Beers.
For more information go to okotoksoilers.ca
