Okotoks Oilers hockey has been put on ice until next month.
After seeing its home opener postponed due to close contact with another AJHL team that had a COVID-19 case, the Oilers confirmed two positive cases on Okotoks’ squad were identified on Nov. 22.
“The team tested on Friday after we had word about the game against the Canucks and that one player there had tested positive,” said Oilers chairman of the board Wayne Lauinger. “Two came back positive and the remainder of the team came back negative. We have followed all the protocols for Hockey Canada, the Alberta Junior Hockey League and, more importantly, Alberta Health Services.
“We’re in the mode now where we will not be coming together as a team until the allotted time is up, which is next Friday (Dec. 4).”
The Nov. 22 game, which was slated to be Okotoks’ home opener against the Camrose Kodiaks, and its Nov. 28 home game were postponed. The team’s road games on Nov. 24 in Drumheller and Nov. 27 in Camrose are also off.
“We’ve adhered to the policies, the players themselves are not ill, it’s very mild and things will work out just fine,” Lauinger said. “There’s not much to all of this, it is what it is, it’s happening and we’re fortunate that it was (just) two players.
“Of course, the team wants to play, but we have rules to follow now.”
It’s been a challenging week for the provincial loop after four teams have had a team member test positive for the coronavirus as the pandemic is spiking in Alberta, with over 1,500 cases found on consecutive days to start the week.
Okotoks’ active case count rose to a high of 65 on Nov. 23 with Foothills County also seeing its numbers spike with 67 cases active cases reported the same day.
Earlier in the week, the Calgary Canucks — Okotoks’ opponent in two of its first three games of the season — reported a positive case on Nov. 20. The Canmore Eagles and Drumheller Dragons also reported cases.
To date, all of the positive COVID cases detected during the regular season have been among South Division teams. The North Division games on the Nov. 20-22 weekend went ahead unencumbered.
Okotoks can return to the ice on Dec. 4 with its scheduled games against Brooks that weekend postponed in order for the Oilers to get in practice time rather than jump directly into game action. The Oilers’ next scheduled game is Dec. 12 in Canmore.
“It was felt that it would only be fair that we have a chance to skate and practice,” Lauinger said. “That’s the reasoning behind it.”
Through three games the Oilers are undefeated with a 3-0 record, all on the road, having twice defeated the Canucks and chased the Olds Grizzlys once.
The Oilers, Eagles, Brooks Bandits and Fort McMurray Oil Barons are the only teams remaining without a loss on their record.
Forwards Jack Works and Brayden Morrison are co-scoring leaders each with four points, tied for 12th in the league.
Spruce Grove Saints sniper Graham Gamache currently leads the league in scoring with seven points in four games.
For more information go to okotoksoilers.ca.
