With uncertainty all around the Okotoks Oilers' promising future was reinforced last week.
Centre Jack Works and defenceman Eric Parker were named to the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s South Division All-League Team with freshman forwards Dylan James and Brayden Morrison earning South Division All-Rookie Team honours with three of the four players expected to return next season.
Works, a Denver University commit for the 2021-22 season, led all South Division skaters with 43 goals and was second only to Carter Savoie’s total of 53 in the league. The Yellowknife native set Oilers franchise records for goals and points, 92, in a single season during a remarkable sophomore season in Big Rock Country and was a finalist for the AJHL MVP.
Parker, a 2001 born defenceman, registered 10 goals and 39 points from the back-end during his second season with the Green and Gold and was a nominee for the AJHL’s Outstanding Defenceman award.
The right-shot defender is committed to attend the NCAA’s Bowling Green State University Falcons next season.
The other South Division members of the All-League team are Brooks Bandits blueliner Tim Rego and winger Randy Hernandez, Canmore Eagles sniper Alex Young and Camrose Kodiaks netminder Griffin Bowerman.
Okotoks’ impressive group of first-year skaters were also recognized.
James, a 2003-born North Dakota commit, was fourth among rookie skaters with 43 points (20 goals and 23 assists). The Calgary Buffaloes product was a finalist for Rookie of the Year award and played the bulk of the season on the second line with centre Louis Jamernik.
Morrison, who committed to attend Wisconsin University where former Oiler Dylan Holloway enjoyed a strong first collegiate season, finished with 14 goals and 30 points in 53 games with Okotoks.
The 2002-born forward, the son of former Vancouver Canuck and Calgary Flame Brendan Morrison, is also expected to return to the squad next season with the plan to begin his collegiate career in 2021-22.
Also named to the All-Rookie Team in the South Division are Canmore Eagles goaltender Devin Chapman, defenceman Dylan Witzke, Rego and Brooks forward Brayden Krieger.
The players named to the All-League and All-Rookie teams were voted on by AJHL general managers and coaches.
Okotoks, the top-team in the South Division, had its season cut short on the eve of the second round of the playoffs when the CJHL cancelled the post-season on March 13 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information go to okotoksoilers.ca
