It has taken some time, but it looks as though those of you who were a little uncertain in the beginning are finally ready to meet some good friends of mine.
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the Okotoks Junior A Oilers. Actually, they have invited us all to a party they are hosting at the Centennial Arena. In fact, the soiree has been going on for a few weeks.
Indeed, it has taken some time, but Okotoks and area hockey fans are finally realizing there is some outstanding hockey being played not only at the Centennial Arena, but at the Murray Arena as well.
When a group of dedicated community-minded people brought Junior A hockey to Okotoks in 2005 most expected they would simply open the doors and the crowds would flock in. Especially after their inaugural season when the Oilers moved into the bright new Centennial Arena.
To almost everyone’s surprise, it didn’t happen.
The Oilers attracted decent crowds, but it was certainly below expectations especially in a community one would describe as a hockey town if not hockey mad. After all, Okotoks has the same number of children registered in hockey as the city of Lethbridge.
Even in the playoffs when intensity is racheted up a few dozen notches the Oilers rarely eclipsed the 1,000 mark in attendance. Prior to this unforgettable Alberta Junior Hockey League post-season run the club had just one sell-out in its eight-year history.
Certainly there are plenty of reasons for the Oilers’ underwhelming attendance. Ironically, one of the main reasons for the Oilers’ disappointing crowds is the fact Okotoks is indeed such a passionate hockey town.
You see, many families spend up to five nights a week in the hockey rink for their own games and practices. When they do have a night off the last place they want to be is at the rink again. When I was coaching I was in the same position. A night off meant a night away from the rink.
By the same measure, across town the Okotoks Junior B Bisons were feeling the pinch as well.
With the Junior A club in town they lost some fans to the Oilers.
It was clear Okotoks and area hockey fans were torn between a few lovers — attending either minor hockey games, the Oilers, the Bisons, even a Hitmen or Flames game or spend a night at home with the family.
For whatever reason people are starting to find their way to the local arenas once again to take in Junior hockey action whether its the Bisons or the Oilers.
The timing of their phenomenal playoff runs could not have been better.
The Bisons, a storied and successful franchise finally won their first provincial title and are off to Westerns. The Oilers could well be off to their first Alberta Junior Hockey League final pending the outcome of Tuesday’s Game 7 in Brooks.
Regardless, it has been so exciting and reassuring to see full houses to cheer on our local hockey teams.
Hopefully, these new fans will remember the high calibre Junior hockey they witnessed this spring and they will be back buying tickets in the next fall.
