The local mandate of Okotoks’ Junior B Bisons was on full display this weekend.
A premium was put on filling in roster openings with products from Okotoks minor hockey once again at the Okotoks Bisons’ fall training camp, Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 at Piper Arena.
“Our focus remains on the local talent in our area,” said Bisons general manager Jay McFarlane. “We’re not going to go beyond that to find someone that’s an all-star. We’ve got enough options around here.”
Two such options are Okotoks Midget AA Oilers teammates Darren Bordt and Mark McLeod, both of whom impressed the Bisons general manager on the ice.
“I think they had a good camp,” McFarlane said. “Mark’s got a decision to make, he’s 17, Darren is done (Midget) so we will continue to look at him through exhibition.”
Bordt wanted to show the complete package at Piper Arena.
“I was hoping to show that the locals got something out there,” Bordt said. “Work my hardest, I wanted to not get knocked off pucks easy, fight through checks and be that guy in corners and score a couple goals.”
The Holy Trinity Academy graduate said he fared better against the more physical Junior B players than he’s used to at the Midget AA level.
“I think I performed well,” he said. “I skated well. They’re bigger players than I’m used to, but I fought through it. I think I improved as a player being out there.”
Bordt took part in the Okotoks Oilers Junior A camp the week prior, an experience he said made him a better forward.
“It was something I learned from,” Bordt said. “They gave me good feedback, they said you’ve got to be stronger on the puck, you have good skill, fight through those checks and win the small battles. I was glad to have a skate with the Oilers.”
Lacing up the skates in the Bisons’ red-and-blue gear would be akin to living the dream for the Okotokian.
“It would mean a lot to me,” Bordt said. “I want to skate for my hometown team. I’ve watched their games. I’ve grown up saying that’s the team I want to play for so it would be awesome.”
McLeod, who has a year left of Midget eligibility as a 17-year-old, is not short on options for where to play this season.
“Three options, Midget AAA with the UFA Bisons, Junior B Bisons or going back to Midget AA,” McLeod said. “I’d like to play AAA or Junior B. I just want to play at a higher level and move up.”
The two-way winger helped his chances at the latter.
“I thought I had a good camp,” said McLeod, who said the Bisons play at a different pace than he’s used to. “I thought I worked hard, showed some good stuff to the coaches. It was definitely faster and the guys are stronger at the Junior B level.”
McLeod, who potted 16 goals and 33 points with the AA Oilers in 2011-12, said his stint at the Oilers’ training camp was beneficial in both the short and long term for his hockey career.
“Just good to get the experience for future years to see what they do because they’ve made the team already,” he said. “I got some really good feedback, they liked my work ethic and how I play. They just thought I need to get a little faster and stronger.”
The Bisons kick off their exhibition schedule Friday, Sept. 7, in a South Division showdown with the rival High River Flyers at the Bob Snodgrass Arena in High River.
