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Oilers sophomore blueliner flocks to Falcons

Hockey: Eric Parker commits to NCAA’s Bowling Green State University
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Okotoks Oilers defenceman Eric Parker has committed to the NCAA's Bowling Green State University for the 2020-21 season. (BRENT CALVER/Western Wheel)

A fly down to the Falcons nest sealed the deal for an Okotoks Oilers standout on defence.

Second-year Oilers defenceman Eric Parker committed to the NCAA Division I power Bowling Green State University Falcons for the 2020-21 season following an eye-opening visit to the Ohio campus.

"They were the first fly down I ever did. I've been talking to them since early last season," said Parker, a Calgary Buffaloes minor hockey product. "They've always been really honest with where I stood with them, what they saw in me and what my potential was and I thought that was great.

"Then on the visit I got to hang out with the team and coaches, go out to eat with them and really just connected. My parents came with me and loved it. It's a great opportunity for me and we think it's the right fit."

In his short time in the Alberta Junior Hockey League, Parker has shown what he can do when given the keys to the ride.

Parker established himself as a force on the Oilers back-end during a rookie season in which the Okotoks defence corps was decimated by injury.

The right-shot blueliner led the team in scoring by a defenceman with 30 points (5 goals, 25 assists) in 57 games in 2018-19.

He parlayed that success into a spot on Team AJHL at the Junior Club World Cup in August, joining Oilers teammate Zane Kindrachuk on their journey to Sochi, Russia.

"It's the all around game he has," said Oilers head coach Tyler Deis. "He's reliable, he's good defensively, he makes good smart plays, he moves the puck and is a guy that can play a good solid 200-foot game.

"The biggest thing is just trying to create that offensive side of him, obviously you look at him defensively and his decision making moving the puck up, but it's that offensive side where you want to give that opportunity where he feels comfortable and confident about it."

Through 28 games in 2019-20, Parker is second among Oilers blueliners with 5 goals and 17 points.

Bowling Green competes in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association against the likes of Bemidji State, University of Alaska Anchorage and Fairbanks and Minnesota State University, Mankato. Its only NCAA Division I title to date was in 1984.

"It's a big university town, college town," Parker said. "The school is probably the biggest part of the community, which is awesome. They get tons of fans at the games, I got to watch two games and they're crazy. The band and the crowd is awesome.

"Everything is about athletics down there, which is awesome, and the hockey team is a big part of that."

The Falcons also have a pretty good track record with right-shot defencemen, including Hockey Hall of Fame inductee and hip-check enthusiast Rob Blake and former Vancouver Canuck Kevin Bieksa. Other key Falcons alumni include Vegas Golden Knights president George McPhee and Stanley Cup champion coach Dan Bylsma.

Parker is the fourth Oiler on the current roster with an NCAA commitment, joining forwards Carson Dyck (Penn State), Brett Moravec (Wisconsin) and Dylan James (North Dakota).

For more information go to okotoksoilers.ca


Remy Greer

About the Author: Remy Greer

Remy Greer is the assistant editor and sports reporter for westernwheel.ca and the Western Wheel newspaper. For story tips contact [email protected]
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