Team success has bred individual acclaim amongst the Green and Gold.
The first-place Okotoks Oilers are finalists in all six categories of the 2019-20 Alberta Junior Hockey League with Jack Works, Marc Pasemko, Dylan James, Eric Parker, Brady Parker and coach Tyler Deis nominated in the vote by league general managers and coaches.
“We’re a really hard working team, all those guys deserve what they got and I’m really proud of them,” said Oilers captain Ayden Roche-Setoguchi. “Just battling with each other every practice makes us better and going up against guys like that makes everyone else better.
“I think that’s a big part of our success.”
Works is up for the AJHL MVP honour with Sherwood Park playmaker Arjun Atwal, the league’s top-point producer, Canmore Eagles sniper Alex Young and Bonnyville Pontiac Lucas Thorne.
“It’s pretty cool and I definitely wasn’t expecting it,” Works said. “You can see all of the guys that are up there are on the best teams, I think that’s a big part of this is that we’ve been a really good team this year.”
The Denver commit has 40 goals and 86 points and is in striking distance of the Oilers single season record in both categories.
“It’s kind of a mix of all that, confidence, responsibility and just playing and not trying to think too much,” Works said.
Also on the ballot, Deis is up for AJHL Coach of the Year, Pasemko for Most Dedicated Player, James for Rookie of the Year, Eric Parker for Outstanding Defenceman and Brady Parker for Top Goaltender – the latter for the second straight season.
“I’ve got to give a lot of credit to the team,” said Eric Parker. “In practice we do a lot of one-on-one’s, the battle and compete stuff within our team. We’ve got a lot of good players, all the nominations.
“All of us wouldn’t be where we are without that in-team competition. It’s always fun to push each other to that next level. As a d-man, we have six really good D so we’re always fighting for ice-time, for minutes, for everything.”
Okotoks’ defence is certainly one of its strengths as the team’s revamped blueline, featuring primarily second year Oilers, is paying big dividends.
“Last year a bunch of us were rookies and we had to get thrown in, especially in playoffs, we had four, maybe five healthy d-men,” Parker added. “We got more comfortable playing with each other so this year it just made the transition a lot easier, we’re a lot more confident.
“The back-end moving out, I think we’re a key part to our team this year.”
James, the North Dakota commit, is fourth among freshman skaters with 43 points (19 goals, 24 assists) in 48 games.
“It’s huge, to be one of four across the league is pretty cool,” James said. “It’s thanks to my teammates and my coaches, they’ve helped me progress and get better.
“I’ve been trying to work on my shot, it’s been going pretty good, and also positioning.”
The 2003-born winger has found a home on a line with Louis Jamernik and Liam Freeborn, providing consistent offence.
“We’ve built chemistry throughout the past few months,” James added. “I’m just getting more confident with the boys in the new year. It’s more just confidence.”
Pasemko, who hit the 70-point plateau, is looking to become the second straight Oiler to take home the Most Dedicated trophy after former captain Kyle Gordon earned the honour last season.
Okotoks’ six award nominations is the most in the league, the North Division leading Sherwood Park Crusaders are second in the loop with four finalists.
The awards are presented during the final week of the AJHL regular season.
For more information go to okotoksoilers.ca
