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In the weeks leading up to the start of the 2024-25 season, we will go team-by-team to profile new players entering the league, as well as offseason acquisitions through trades. We speak with the coach/GM of each team to get their thoughts on the new crop of players.
Next up is the Okotoks Oilers.
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The Okotoks Oilers finished fourth in the BCHL’s Alberta Division last season and, after winning their wildcard series against the Spruce Grove Saints, lost in a seven-game battle in the semifinals against the eventual champion Brooks Bandits.
We speak with head coach and general manager Tyler Deis about two of his new additions, plus get his overall thoughts on the Oilers outlook for 2024-25.
New recruits
Ben Vatis (2006, G)
Hometown: Phoenix, Ariz.- Previous team: Phoenix Jr. Coyotes (18U AAA)
Vatis put up very impressive numbers with the 18U Coyotes in 2023-24, posting a .920 save percentage and a 1.69 goals-against average in league play. He also recorded 11 shutouts across all competition.
Deis’ scouting report:
“We feel like he’s one of the top 2006-born goalies that played under-18 in North America last year. We’re really excited about out goaltending this year.”
Acquired via trade
Ethan DeKay (2004, F)
Hometown: London, Ont.- Previous team: Wisconsin Windigo (NAHL)
- College commitment: Michigan Tech University
DeKay brings significant BCHL experience having played parts of two seasons with the Cowichan Valley Capitals before joining Wisconsin of the North American Hockey League partway through the 2023-24 season, where he had seven points in 14 games.
Deis’ scouting report:
“We’ve got a little bit of history with Ethan since we tried to recruit him when it was his first year playing junior hockey. We’ve watched him quite a bit over the last few years and we know the kind of player he can be. We brought him in this season to bring leadership to what we’re trying to do here. This is one of those seasons that could be a breakout year for him”
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Deis on the new class of forwards:
“We’ve got a lot of holes that need to be filled with the amount of players we have moving on to the next level of hockey. We’ve made a bunch of commitments and we feel that there are good opportunities for players to take advantage of. We’re excited about it. There will likely be a learning curve, but we think we are going to get better throughout the season.”
Deis on his defence corps:
“We’ve got two defencemen coming back from last year and we’ll need them to be key parts of our team with so many new bodies on the back end. We’re excited with a lot of our signings on defence. We feel like, with a year of development, we can get this group to where it needs to be.”
Photo credits: Dan Hickling (Vatis), Island Images (DeKay)
