The Okotoks Oilers got there first and five years later the results continue to bear fruit.
The Okotoks Oilers got there first and five years later the results continue to bear fruit.
Taber native Carson Beers moved into first place in the Okotoks Oilers franchise history with 183 games played on Saturday a half-decade after the bruising blueliner narrowed down several suitors to land in Big Rock Country.
“I’m a huge loyalty guy. They gave me my first shot to play as an affiliate,” Beers said. “I thought I might as well play here and show them I can play as long as I can. I did have a lot of interest elsewhere, but it’s just how I was raised.
“If someone gives you an opportunity, might as well make the best of it.”
Since debuting on a full-time basis in the 2014-15 season Beers has been a fixture in the lineup.
The 20-year-old skated in 52 games in his first two seasons, missed just one contest last year and thus far in the 2017-18 campaign has suited up in every contest.
Jon Turk previously held the franchise games played mark at 182 since graduating from the Oil in 2012.
“Growing up my dad always said “make sure you don’t put yourself in a bad position to get hurt,’” Beers said. “I’ve always tried to do that, but I have battled through injuries. Those games I haven’t always been 100 per cent that’s for sure.
“In this league there are so many hits and you’ve got to be able to battle through some pain.”
The 6-foot-1, 201 pound rearguard has proven to be a malleable figure on the back-end.
A powerplay set-up man, a mean piece of business in front of net and in the corners and the first one to defend his teammates, he’s worn many hats in Oilers colours.
In his sophomore season of 2015-16 he was a Top Defenceman nominee and named to the AJHL South All-Star Team while Beers’ best statistical season was 2016-17 in which he registered 14 goals and 45 points.
“Year one I was really timid, really nervous, actually still one of the smaller guys. The league was really big at that time,” Beers said. “It took me a while as a rookie, but after Christmas I figured it out. Second, third year the league started to get more skilled which made it more competitive. I had to adapt my game to become more of a skilled player.
“This year, it’s a little different again. We’ve got such a deep team on forward and defence. I’m trying to be a mentor for some of these guys and see if I can help them out.”
Entering the league with offensive pedigree out of the Lethbridge Midget AAA program, Beers quickly learned less is more on the defensive end.
“I did a lot of video in my first year. During the Christmas break I looked over how I played and it was pretty ugly,” he said. “I talked to one of my old coaches (Bruce Bell) back in Lethbridge and I figured out how to move the puck then join the rush and don’t always try to rush the puck myself.”
Skating in his last season of junior, Beers is keeping his options open with an eye on the NCAA, U-Sports (formerly known as the CIS) as well as the potential for an education in the trades.
In the meantime he’s got some unfinished business.
“One of my goals even as a rookie was to put some banners in this rink,” Beers said. “Growing up I put a couple banners in my home rink, but this place would feel a lot better for me individually to put in a banner. They’ve done a lot for me individually and I want to show them my thanks.
“That’s the only way I can do it.”
WEEKEND SPLIT
A depleted lineup finally caught up to the Okotoks Oilers.
Missing five key players the Oilers (16-2) suffered just their second loss of the season in a 2-1 defeat Saturday on home ice in the back-end of a home-and-home with the Drumheller Dragons.
Beers had the Oilers only marker, a powerplay tally in the first period, as Dragons netminder and Turner Valley’s own Hunter Virostek made 36 saves for the visitors.
In the first meeting of the season between the divisional rivals the Oilers held off a late surge to edge the Dragons 5-4 Friday night in Drum.
Freshman forward Ben Sanderson paced the offence with a two-goal effort while Blackie native Blake Wells notched his first AJHL goal. Beers and Nick Blankenburg added the other markers.
The Oilers hit the road next weekend to make way for the 10th annual Okotoks Female Hockey Classic tournament. Okotoks is in Olds on Remembrance Day, travels to Brooks to battle the Bandits on Nov. 12 and gets back on home ice for a Nov. 14 date with the Calgary Mustangs.
For more information go to okotoksoilers.ca
ICE CHIPS
Dynamic centre Dylan Holloway’s strong start to the season has him taking on the world. The Bragg Creek native was named an injury replacement to Canada Red’s roster at the World Under 17 Challenge, Nov. 5-12 in Fort St. John and Dawson Creek, B.C. He joins Okotokian and Kootenay Ice forward Peyton Krebs on Canada Red. Both skaters played starring roles for Team Alberta’s gold medal winning team at the U16 Western Challenge Cup last season.
