The Okotoks Oilers will have a new look on the last line of defence this season.
Veteran shotstopper Brian Wilson was shipped to the Powell River Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League for future considerations last week.
“With (Riley) Morris coming back as our number one, Brian, at exit meetings, we spoke to him and he wants to be a number-one,” said Oilers president Brad Robson. “We were open with Brian and had discussions with him and his agent over the spring and the summer and were able to make this deal.”
The 1996-born goalkeeper joined Okotoks from Ontario’s Kanata Stallions in October of last-season and helped to stabilize a carousel of candidates behind Morris.
The Mississauga product finished with a 9-8-1 record as the back-up while posting a 2.97 goals against average and .900 save percentage.
Wilson joins one of the most consistent franchises out of the BCHL’s Island Division.
His departure leaves a void in the crease for the second goaltending spot alongside Morris who enters his third season with the green-and-gold after being named a South Goaltender of the Year finalist last season. It also allows for more of a succession plan in the crease.
“With a couple of the other goalies we have coming into camp that are younger and when Morris hopefully gets a scholarship to move onto the next level we will have some depth that’s coming in with some experience in the league,” Robson added.
Prospects Matthew Armitage out of the Edge Academy, Sherwood Park product Bailey Brkin and Calgarian Dakota O’Meara are expected to compete for a spot in the crease at the team’s main camp at the end of August.
“It’s going to be a battle,” Robson said. “They’re all pretty good goalies and one of them is going to be a 1A or the backup for this year. Hopefully he can take the ball and run with it next year.”
With the trade of Wilson, Okotoks has the ability to add three more players born in 1996 to its roster to join a trio of 20-year-olds in forwards Trey Degraaf, Jordie Lawson and defenceman Jordan Davies.
The flexibility is nice, but the Okotoks brass aren’t in a rush to make any rash moves to alter what is a promising group of returning players.
“We will wait until training camp to see where we are with the 20’s,” Robson said. “Then we will watch the wire to see which 20-year-olds are dropped from the Western Hockey League on Oct. 10, see if anyone becomes available.
“I think we will keep one of the overage spots open until the trade deadline.”
News and Notes
Okotoks rounded out its new coaching staff for the 2016-17 season. Ryan Barrett was named the club’s assistant coach joining fellow newcomers Kyle Schussler and head coach Tyler Deis.
Barrett is a familiar name in Junior A circles as bench boss of the Calgary Canucks up until the 2014-15 season.
A scout for Okotoks and part of its development program last season, Barrett takes on the assistant coach and team sponsorship duties for the club …. Okotoks main camp runs from Aug. 26-29 at Pason Centennial Arena. The club then hosts its annual Pre-Season Tournament from Aug. 31 – Sept. 3 in a showcase featuring division rivals in the Calgary Mustangs, Calgary Canucks and Drumheller Dragons… The Oilers’ season ticket blitz continues until Sept. 7.
Go to okotoksoilers.ca for all of the information.
