Two Okotoks Oilers are taking their talents to Sochi this summer.
Oilers defenceman Eric Parker and forward Zane Kindrachuk will compete on the international stage at the Junior Club World Cup in August after being named to Team AJHL for the eight-team showcase in the 2014 Olympic host city in Russia.
“I’ve never been outside of North America so it will be really cool to see what the culture is like out there,” said Kindrachuk, a 2000 born forward from Calgary. “It’s going to be really cool, we’re staying at the Olympic Village in Sochi. I’ve seen pictures and it looks unbelievable.”
The diminutive winger produced 17 goals and 35 points in 59 games during the 2018-19 season with Okotoks after tallying 27 points in his rookie season.
“I didn’t really know this was a thing, the commissioner (Ryan Bartoshyk) texted me letting me know I made the team,” Kindrachuk said. “I really didn’t know too much about it. He sent me all the information about it and that’s when I got really excited.
“It’s definitely an honour and a privilege to represent the AJHL and Hockey Canada, as well.”
Parker, a 2001-born Calgary Buffaloes product, had a terrific freshman campaign on the back-end with 5 goals and 25 assists in 57 games while providing a steadying presence on a youthful defence corps.
“It will be awesome to have someone that I know going with me,” Kindrachuk said. “And it will be cool to share that experience with him and carry it over when we come back to Okotoks.”
The roster also includes forward Kaleb Ergang, a silky smooth stick-handler who spent the past two seasons with the Oilers prior to being moved to Whitecourt this off-season, along with highly-touted prospects in Spruce Grove Saints netminder Matthew Davis, Sherwood Park Crusaders goalie Carter Gylander and blueliner Michael Benning and Canmore Eagles dynamo Alex Young.
Team AJHL’s coaching staff includes head coach Boris Rybalka from the Camrose Kodiaks and Rick Swan from the Bonnyville Pontiacs along with athletic therapists Megan Hansen from the Canmore Eagles and Josh Armstrong from the Sherwood Park Crusaders.
“It’s going to be pretty cool because some of these guys if we’re in the same division we’re playing each other six times in the regular season and playoffs, too,” Kindrachuk said. “You develop a little bit of a rivalry with each other, but I think we’ll be able to put that aside for the couple weeks we’re together and bond and make really good friendships.”
Along those lines, Team AJHL is getting together during the summer months for skates while also training together to get use to the time-zone change with Sochi nine hours ahead of Mountain Standard Time.
Team AJHL heads overseas for a pre-tournament camp from Aug. 16-22 with the competition running from Aug. 23-31.
For more information go to ajhl.ca
