An Okotoks goalie will be looking to add to a sterling Hockey Alberta resumé this month.
Okotoks Bow Mark Oilers netminder Carter Esler was named to Team Alberta’s U16 squad to compete at the 2023 WHL Cup featuring the top 2008-born athletes from British Columbia to Manitoba from Oct. 18-22 in Red Deer.
The Spokane Chiefs’ first-round selection, Esler was the first goalie selected in the 2023 WHL Bantam Draft in the spring.
In advance of the draft, the athletic netminder had a starring role at the Alberta Cup where he was named to the Tournament All-Star team after posting three wins, two shutouts and a .987 save percentage.
Esler also backstopped the Okotoks U15 AAA Oilers to provincial bronze last season.
The Team Alberta roster was selected from the initial 80-player summer camp. From there a shortlist of 32 was whittled down to the final 20.
“We had a lot of tough decisions to make this year,” said Mike Kraichy, manager, elite male hockey for Hockey Alberta, in a release. “But we’re confident that this is a group that can compete with the best from Western Canada.”
https://twitter.com/TeamABHockey/status/1709327475032150238
There are a number of Okotoks connections to the coaching staff as well.
Okotoks Jr. A Oilers goalie and video coach Derek Purfield is heading up goalie coaching for Team Alberta.
Additionally, head coach James Poole was a longtime bench boss of the Jr. A Oilers, likewise for Bobby Fox, Alberta’s head scout, who was an assistant coach in Okotoks.
For more information, visit hockeyalberta.ca.
