Okotoks Oilers

History

In June 2004, the AJHL board of governors approved the sale and relocation of the Crowsnest Pass Timberwolves franchise to Okotoks. The franchise was granted a one-year leave of absence in 2004–05 to prepare for its first season in its new home. Players from the 2003–04 Timberwolves team were loaned out to other AJHL and BCHL teams. Though dormant, the Oilers franchise was awarded the 2004–05 AJHL all-star game, which acted as a preview of the AJHL brand for the citizens of Okotoks.

The 2005–06 season was a success for the Oilers, as they finished with a record above .500 before losing to the Brooks Bandits in the first round of the playoffs, three games to two. The Oilers played their first season in Murray Arena while construction of their new facility was ongoing.

On January 20, 2024, it was announced that the team, along with four other AJHL teams, would join the BCHL in the 2024-2025 season. The AJHL responded to the announcement by cancelling most of the five teams' remaining scheduled matches except those between each other.

It was then decided that the five Alberta-based teams would play out the rest of the 2023–24 season as a separate division under the aegis of the BCHL. For the post-season, the Okotoks Oilers and Spruce Grove Saints, respectively the 4th and 5th placed teams in the Alberta division, played a best-of-5 wildcard series, with the winner advancing to the Alberta division semi-finals along with the top-3 Alberta teams. The rankings for the Alberta division were determined by winning percentage including their regular season records from the AJHL. The semi-final and final rounds each consisted of a best-of-7 series. The Okotoks Oilers lost to the Brooks Bandits, 4–0, in the semi-final round. Beginning in the 2024–25 BCHL season, the five Alberta-based teams, along with the Cranbrook Bucks, formed the East division of the Interior conference.

Season-by-season record

Alberta Junior Hockey League

|+ style="background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#004D1F 5px solid; border-bottom:#C7A652 5px solid"| ! style=width:4em | Season ! style=width:2.2em | GP ! style=width:2.2em | W ! style=width:2.2em | L ! style=width:2.2em | T/OTL ! style=width:2.2em | Pts ! style=width:2.2em | GF ! style=width:2.2em | GA ! style=width:10em | Finish ! style=width:18em | Playoffs |- align=right 11th of 16, AJHL ||align=left|Lost preliminary, 2–3 (Bandits) |- align=right 5th of 16, AJHL ||align=left|Won preliminary, 3–2 (Dragons) Won quarterfinals, 4–2 (Bandits) Lost semi-finals, 1–4 (Traders) |- align=right 2nd of 14, AJHL ||align=left|Won preliminary, 3–1 (Canucks) Lost Quarterfinals, 1–4 (Dragons) |- align=right 4th of 16, AJHL ||align=left|Won Div. Quarterfinals, 3–0 vs. Eagles Lost Div. Semifinals, 2–4 (Grizzlys) |- align=right 3rd of 16, AJHL ||align=left|Won Div. Semifinals, 4–2 vs. Eagles Lost Div. Finals, 1–4 (Kodiaks) |- align=right 2nd of 16, AJHL ||align=left|Won Div. Semifinals, 4–0 (Mustangs) Lost Div. Finals, 3–4 (Kodiaks) |- align=right 7th of 16, AJHL ||align=left|Won Div. Quarterfinals, 3–0 (Dragons) Lost Div. Semifinals, 2–4 (Olds Grizzlys) |- align=right 2nd of 16, AJHL ||align=left|Won Div. Quarterfinals, 3–2 (Grizzlys) Won Div. Semifinals, 4–0 (Kodiaks) Lost Div. Finals, 3–4 (Bandits) |- align=right 4th of 16, AJHL ||align=left|Lost Div. Quarterfinals, 2–3 (Grizzlys) |- align=right 4th of 16, AJHL ||align=left|Won Div. Quarterfinals, 3–0 (Canmore Eagles) Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–4 Bandits) |- align=right 8th of 16, AJHL ||align=left|Won Div. Quarterfinals, 3–0 (Canucks) Lost Div. Semifinals, 1–4 (Kodiaks) |- align=right 8th of 16, AJHL ||align=left|Won Div. Quarterfinals, 3–0 (Kodiks) Won Div. Semifinals, 4–0 (Canucks) Lost Div. Finals, 1–4 (Bandits |- align=right 1st of 16, AJHL** ||align=left|Won Div. Semifinals, 4–0 (Kodiaks) Won Div. Finals, 4–2 (Bandits) Lost AJHL Finals, 1–4 (Saints) |- align=right 5th of 16, AJHL ||align=left|Won Div. Quarterfinals, 3–0 (Canucks) Won Div. Semifinals, 4–1 (Kodiaks) Lost Div. Finals, 2–4 (Bandits) |- align=right 2nd of 15, AJHL ||align=left|Post-season cancelled |- align=right 8th of 15, AJHL ||align=left|Post-season cancelled |- align=right 9th of 16, AJHL ||align=left|Won Div. Quarterfinals, 4–0 (Bulldogs) Won Div. Semifinals, 4–2 (Dragons) Lost Div. Finals, 0–4 (Bandits) |- align=right 8th of 16, AJHL ||align=left|Won Div. Quarterfinals, 4–0 (Kodiaks) Lost Div. Semifinals, 2-4 (Bandits) |- align=right

Source:

British Columbia Hockey League

|+ style="background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#004D1F 5px solid; border-bottom:#C7A652 5px solid"| ! style=width:4em | Season ! style=width:2.2em | GP ! style=width:2.2em | W ! style=width:2.2em | L ! style=width:2.2em | T ! style=width:2.2em | OTL ! style=width:2.2em | GF ! style=width:2.2em | GA ! style=width:2.2em | Pts ! style=width:10em | Finish ! style=width:18em | Playoffs |- align=right Lost semi-finals, 4-3 (Bandits) |- align=right 17th of 21 BCHL || align=left| Lost Div Semifinals, 4-0 (Vees)

Source:

References

Additional reading

References

1. "New name given to Centennial Arenas and events centre {{!}} The Town of Okotoks".
2. (20 January 2024). "BCHL agrees to terms with five Alberta-based teams".
3. (February 2024). "BCHL announces finalized franchise agreements and integration with five Alberta-based teams". British Columbia Hockey League.
4. "BCHL announces Alberta playoff format and BC postseason refresher". British Columbia Hockey League.
5. "Brooks Bandits capture 2023-24 Alberta Cup". British Columbia Hockey League.
6. (20 June 2024). "B.C. Hockey League releases schedule for 2024-25 season". Corus Entertainment.
7. (14 June 2024). "BCHL unveils new divisional format for 2024-25 season". Glacier Media Group.
8. (14 June 2024). "BCHL unveils new alignment with Alberta teams, adds coaches challenge". Pattison Media.