The Okotoks Oilers are hoping for their first ever sell-out on Jan. 29 and they’ll need everyone’s help to make it happen.
The Oilers recently announced their inaugural “Pack the Rink” initiative, scheduled to take place next Saturday at the Centennial Arena against the Camrose Kodiaks.
“We’re getting close to playoffs now and we really want to make a push here and try and get people excited about the Oilers and excited about having a Junior A hockey team in Okotoks,” said Dallas Hand, the Oilers’ business and marketing manager. “We believe that it’s a good stepping stone.”
Despite sitting in first in the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s (AJHL) South Division and being ranked sixth in the Canadian Junior Hockey League’s rankings, Okotoks has not yet approached a sell-out crowd this season. The current capacity for the Foothills Centennial Arena is 1,500 plus standing room.
Hand said he is hoping a night filled with promotions, contests and a classic South Division rivalry will change that.
Among the incentives to bring people out will be the chance to win some cold, hard cash courtesy of Western Financial Group.
“The first 1,500 people in the door will have a chance to win $100,000,” Hand explained.
In addition, any children wanting to check out Junior hockey’s finest will be able to get in for free – provided they wear their Okotoks minor hockey gear.
Oilers forward Ben Gamache said he knows the impact a boisterous crowd can have on a hockey team. The high-scoring forward has seen it in other buildings across the AJHL and is hoping the Oilers fans can make it happen in Okotoks.
“We go to Fort Mac and Grande Prairie and they’ve got about 2,000 people a night. It helps the team out,” Gamache explained. “The players notice… It makes it a lot more exciting.”
Playing in front of that many fans would hold special meaning to the Oilers players, Gamache added.
“It would mean a lot. We‘ve never played in front of a sold-out barn in Okotoks.”
The push to get all hockey enthusiasts to the rink is important to a civic-minded organization like the Oilers, Hand pointed out.
With the AJHL club having entrenched themselves in the community with school and DARE program visits, along with several fundraisers for Okotoks-based organizations, Hand said he is hoping the Town’s residents will come out in full force to show their Green Army pride.
“We’re hoping that… we’re going to get a good turnout at this game and people will come out and show support for what we do in the community,” he said.
Showcasing the game to new fans is also a point of emphasis for the Oilers, especially with the playoffs fast approaching.
“It’s something that we really want to push for, especially this year with the season we’re having,” Hand said.
An exciting win over a traditional powerhouse like Camrose would be a good way to win new fans over, Gamache added.
“It would mean a lot just to see the people come out and hopefully realize that it’s actually a pretty fun time and come out more often,” he said.
Anyone seeking more information on free youth group tickets or other questions about the “Pack the Rink” night can contact the Oilers office at 403-995-2255 or visit www.okotoksoilers.com
