The original waterboy for the Okotoks Oilers is looking to follow a Hollywood script all the way to a roster spot on his hometown team.
Eighteen-year-old defenceman Tyson Arnholtz, one of eight Okotoks area players competing for a spot on the Oilers at the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) team’s main training camp, has deep roots with the Junior A organization.
“My mom (Karen) worked for the Oilers so I got to be the waterboy when they first started and for a couple years after that,” said Arnholtz, who began his hydrating duties in 2005-06, the inaugural Oilers season. “I got to know some guys and know the organization and it is a good organization and a good place to play for sure.”
He spurned an invite to camp in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, choosing instead to make the Oilers’ main camp his top priority.
“It would be unreal,” said Arnholtz on the prospects of playing for the Oilers. “You’ve got your family and your friends, everybody you know and you grew up with (here). It would be ideal and would be one of my dreams come true.”
Arnholtz, a recent graduate of Foothills Composite High School, spent last season with the Junior B Comox Valley Glacier Kings in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League.
“It gave me a year to develop and see what Junior is like,” Arnholtz said. “I’m going to try and make the jump to Junior A this year, that was the whole point.”
Arnholtz, the 2010-11 co-defenceman of the year in the South Central Alberta Hockey League with the Midget AA Oilers, said he made big strides in his season in B.C.
“It was good to play with some big boys and get used to that faster pace,” he said. “I seem to skate and move the puck a little bit faster and throw the body a little bit more. I’m not as hesitant, more confident in making quicker decisions and following through with them.”
He said his progression on the backend translated to a strong performance at Oilers’ camp.
“I feel pretty confident that I made some good decisions and played solid so hopefully the coaches feel the same,” Arnholtz said. “They’re looking at that stay-at-home defenceman so I’m trying to be that guy for sure and hopefully stay.”
Fellow-Okotoks blueliner Trent Schussler is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his older brother.
Kyle Schussler hit the ice for two seasons as an Oilers defenceman, 2006-08, before taking off to play NCAA hockey with Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.
“(Kyle) said it’s a great organization to be in, great team, great coaching staff and everything and they’ve got a great reputation for finishing well in the league, being competitive every year,” said Schussler.
Schussler, a league all-star with the Okotoks Midget AA Oilers in 2011-12, said the Jr. A Oilers’ history with getting scholarships for its players is especially appealing to him.
“Obviously they’ve been really successful at sending guys through the ranks,” Schussler said. “That’s really important to me.”
Schussler, who was joined at camp by Midget AA teammates and Okotokians Kurt Fraser, Mark McLeod, Darren Bordt, Connor Tudor and Richard Palmer, said playing his Junior hockey in Okotoks would be a perfect scenario.
“It means everything to be able to stay at home and live with my family and represent my hometown,” Schussler said. “It would be an honour.”
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The Oilers are returning just three defencemen from last year’s roster meaning opportunities to break in on the defence corps are there for the taking.
“Whatever happens, happens, I’m going to go out there and play my own game,” Schussler said after
Day 2 of main camp. “It’s not in my hands anymore, but the fact there are some open spots I’m going to do everything it takes to get there.”
The two-way defenceman was pleased with his on-ice performance at camp.
“Play my game, move the puck well, play physical and try to move my feet a lot,” Schussler said of his goals at camp. “I think I managed to do what I can to show myself. I’m happy with how I played.”
Okotoks forward Jordan Williamson lived the billet life with the Notre Dame Midget AAA Hounds in Saskatchewan last season.
“I got a concussion and didn’t play too much,” Williamson said of his time with the famed hockey program. “But overall it was a good year and a good experience,”
The 17-year-old winger wouldn’t mind playing at home with the Oilers this season.
“I try to play a two-way game, move the puck and keep it simple out there,” Williamson said. “I just tried to show my skill, show everyone what I can do and hopefully make an impact.
“It would be awesome playing at home, living in Okotoks, it’s a great town and a great team here.”
