The captain of the Okotoks Bantam AAA Oilers captain has something to smile about.
Second-year Oiler Owen Guenter was the lone Okotoks player selected to the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League (AMBHL) all-star game, Jan. 11 in Red Deer.
“I’m pretty happy to be representing my team,” said Guenter, a student at Heritage Heights School. “As the second half of the season has gone on I’m starting to pick it up and helping the guys out, helping to lead.”
As the sole returning player on the Oilers, Guenter shoulders the brunt of the leadership responsibility and is also relied on as offensive catalyst for the Challenger South division club.
“As the leader you have to get everyone going and keep yourself going,” said Guenter, who has remained positive despite Okotoks’ record of 1-22 in the AMBHL. “You have to just keep moving forward and learn from your mistakes.”
Guenter, who has registered three goals and eight points on the campaign, was selected by the Oilers coaching staff as the team’s all-star from a strong group of contenders on the rookie-laden roster.
First-year forward Nolan Steer leads the Oilers with seven goals and fellow-freshman Markus Lavallee is the points king for Okotoks with 12 on the campaign.
“Bar none he’s our best player when he’s on,” said Oilers assistant coach Brad Baldwin. “When he’s working hard the guys work hard. Everything relies on him.”
Baldwin said Guenter has been on something of a roll since being named the Swift Current Raiders tournament MVP during the Oilers’ gold medal showing in late November.
“He’s an exceptional hockey player,” Baldwin said. “When things go well for him on a good day he’s in my mind one of the best players in this league. Right now he’s just snake bitten a bit.”
The assistant coach said the all-star game should help the 14-year-old catch the eye of scouts who will get to see Guenter play with those at his level in Red Deer.
“He’s playing with the best 14-year-olds in Western Canada so he’s going to get a lot of looks and play with a lot of guys with the talent that his level is at,” Baldwin said. “It’s going to be interesting seeing him on a different side.
“I’m pretty sure you will see him get three or four points in that game.”
Guenter, not one to focus on individual acclaim, said he just wants to be an important piece for the South all-stars in Red Deer.
“Just to contribute wherever I can and chip in some offence,” Guenter said. “I try not to think about the (scouts) too much and just play my own game.”
