The Okotoks Oilers minor hockey program was the talk of the town last weekend in Red Deer and now the Oilers’ all-stars are hoping to carry that momentum into the second half of the season.
Okotoks Peewee AA selects Austin LeDuc, Owen Guenter and Dawson Wade skated in the Peewee edition of the South Central Alberta Hockey League’s (SCAHL) 2011 all-star game. The event, hosted by Red Deer Minor Hockey, showcased some of the best minor hockey players from around the province.
While the three Oilers, all Okotoks natives, were hoping to carry their team to victory, their Peewee North squad dropped a 7-1 decision to their counterparts from the South in the Jan. 16 contest.
Even in the face of defeat, the Oiler teammates managed to carve out a bit of the spotlight.
Wade, the all-star defenceman, pointed out the North’s only goal was scored with all three Okotoks players on the ice.
“My favourite part was when we were on for the only goal our team scored. It was all three of us Oilers on the ice. It felt pretty good,” Wade recalled.
Guenter was the goal scorer for the North, which hardly came as a surprise to Oilers head coach Jamie Steer.
“When he’s hot, there’s not many better in the league,” he explained.
Steer glowed with pride upon hearing about his players’ moment in the spotlight.
“I’d heard that they were plus-one until a minute left and they ended up even in a 7-1 loss,” he said.
For the majority of the game, high-scoring forwards Guenter and LeDuc were paired together on a line. The ability to play with one another ensured the exhibition showcase had some element of familiarity.
“It was a really good experience,” LeDuc said.
All three players were honoured by their all-star selection and shared a feeling of gratitude towards the coaching staff who chose them for the game.
“I’d like to thank my coaches for letting me go. I think it was a great experience for us all there,” Wade added.
Steer, who took the opportunity to have a rare weekend off instead of heading to Red Deer, indicated all three players were more than deserving of representing the Oilers.
Steer singled out LeDuc for his leadership skills and hard-working style. The rangy forward has recorded 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) in 24 games for Okotoks.
“(He’s) one of the hardest working players we’ve got,” Steer said of his second-year player.
Guenter’s first-ever selection hardly came as a surprise either. The Oilers’ top-scorer (17 goals, 14 assists) has paced the club in offence and embraced his role as the go-to forward.
While Wade’s trip to Red Deer may have come as a surprise to the player himself, Steer insisted his developing defenceman earned the invitation.
“He has legs that you can’t teach,” he said, referring to Wade’s renowned skating ability. “(Wade) is the most improved player by far.”
Buoyed by their all-star experience, Steer is confident his players will carry their momentum forward into the critical stretch drive.
“When you get an experience like that, it makes you want to work more,” Wade agreed.
The Oilers currently sit third in the SCAHL’s North Division, eight points behind division-leading Bow Valley.
Guenter said he knows the only way to keep climbing the standings to focus on what they can control.
“We’ve got to keep improving our game,” he insisted.
Okotoks will have the opportunity to do just that next weekend when they head to Regina for the 19th annual Premiere Peewee Classic.
Midget Oiler Honoured
The Peewee Oilers weren’t the only ones turning heads in Red Deer, Midget AA Oiler forward Liam McMaster picked up MVP honours for his effort in the SCAHL Midget game on Jan. 16.
McMaster’s two third-period goals paced his Midget North side to a 5-1 victory over the South.
The goal-scoring heroics were hardly unusual for the Oilers player, who leads his Midget AA club with 13 goals and 18 assists in 18 games.
McMaster, a resident of Okotoks, was humbled by the distinction and maintained how special it was to represent his club in Red Deer.
“It’s an honour to play there,” he said.
After playing with two unfamiliar linemates in the first two periods, McMaster was finally paired with Oiler teammate Zak Johns in the decisive third-period.
The move immediately paid dividends.
“We were on a line here and really clicked,” McMaster recalled. “We scored two goals on our first two shifts.”
The Midget AA Oilers currently sit in second in the SCAHL’s North Division — only one point behind the Wheatland Chiefs.
The club will be in action on Jan. 28 against the Brooks Storm at the Centennial Arena. Puck drop will be at 6:30 p.m.
