From the stands to the ice — it’s what hockey dreams are made of.
Okotokian Jaevon Buschlen is not taking the opportunity to play for his hometown Oilers in the Alberta Junior Hockey League for granted.
“Growing up always going to the Oilers games I always looked up to those guys,” said Buschlen, a 2019 graduate of Foothills Composite High School. “I think being able to play in my hometown is a pretty cool experience and something that I’ve always wanted to do.
“I’m living at home, it’s kind of nice it works out really well that I get to sleep in my own bed every single night and get to be with my family all the time.”
The rookie forward, who apprenticed for the role for two years as an affiliate player, has 2 goals and 4 points to his credit.
“I think it’s a big step for me, especially for my rookie season,” Buschlen said. “Knowing (Oilers coach Tyler) Deis real well, it’s helped me understand how Deis wants me to play, how he wants the team to play so overall that’s really helping me out this year.”
The 18-year-old espoused the virtues of the Bow Mark Oilers after playing for the Midget AAA team during its first two years of existence from 2017-19, serving as an alternate captain last year.
“Being able to be out on the ice three or four times a week I think that really prepared me for this year being on the ice almost every single day,” he said. “Cardio-wise and stuff like that the last two years prepared me for this year.”
He’s also got a pretty good path to follow in that of fellow Okotokian Gibb Coady.
The second year Oilers forward was a linemate of Buschlen’s on their Bow Mark Oilers squad in 2017-18 before bursting onto the scene with the Green and Gold last year.
“He just said it’s going to be a long season and it’s a big jump from Midget,” Buschlen said. “Stick in there and just grind it out for the whole season and then next season it will be a little bit better, you’ll feel a little bit more comfortable and get a little bit more ice.”
The biggest surprise for the hard-working forward is just how much talent is strewn across the provincial loop – all of whom who play at a break-neck pace.
“I think it was just being a little bit more patient, not having to rush everything,” he said. “At the start of the season, I struggled a little bit because I was putting too much pressure on myself, thinking I’ve got to do the best I can, but you’ve just got to adapt to the team and play the situation you’re meant for.
“And you have to do the role you’re on the team for.”
Buschlen, who’s listed at 5-foot-7 and 125 pounds, has earned the respect of his teammates from the jump.
“He works as hard as anyone on the team, in practices and in games” said Oilers alternate captain Marc Pasemko. “He’s not the biggest guy, but he’s laying the body, just doing the little things and just working his bag off 24/7.
“I think that’s the biggest thing and that’s why he’s having success. As a smaller guy you’ve got to be gritty and that’s what he is. He takes advantage of that, takes pucks to the net.”
Rookie forwards have made a big dent for the Oilers this season.
Okotoks is fifth in the league in goals for with six freshmen skaters up-front — Buschlen, Brayden Morrison, Michael Hagen, Blake Jacques, Dylan James and Brett Moravec.
“They’re strong players coming in,” Pasemko said. “As a leader, I’m just trying to pump their tires all the time, give them confidence. If they make a bad play, they come and I will just give them a nudge and tell them to keep going.
“The biggest thing is them keeping their head up and their confidence, not getting too high and just staying even-keeled.”
