The Okotoks Oilers have made a forward trade for the first time as members of the BCHL.
Okotoks acquired the playing rights to Ethan DeKay from the Cowichan Valley Capitals in exchange for 2005-born forward Hayden Fechner, the team announced this week.
“Hayden provided offence and versatility in our forward group last season, and we wish him all the best in his new opportunity,” said Oilers head coach and general manager Tyler Deis, in a team release. “We are excited to add Ethan to our organization as we enter our first full BCHL season.”
Fechner was acquired in a five-player trade with the Drayton Valley Thunder at the outset of the 2023-24 season, a move that also brought Jack Silverberg to Okotoks.
In his first and only season with the Green and Gold, the fleet-footed Fechner registered 14 goals and 24 points in 43 games in Big Rock Country.
DeKay, a 2004-born forward, split last season with the BCHL’s Capitals and the NAHL Wisconsin Windigo, posting 10 points in 33 games.
The 19-year-old from London, Ont., who starred at Prairie Hockey Academy before making the jump to junior, is a Michigan Tech University commit.
The transaction is the first player-for-player trade the Oilers have made in the BCHL. Previously the team acquired defenceman Nick Wolfenberg from Salmon Arm in early February in a future considerations move.
The Oilers’ first full season in the BCHL will get underway on the Sept. 20-21 weekend in a home-and-home with the Brooks Bandits.
Okotoks, Brooks, the Blackfalds Bulldogs, Spruce Grove Saints, Sherwood Park Crusaders and Cranbrook Bucks will make up the BCHL’s Interior East Division.
For more information, go to okotoksoilers.com.
