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Friday, October 16, 2026

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Rookies making an early impact with Oil Capitals

Christian Pitz is one of several rookies contributing this season for the Virden Oil Capitals.

Virden Oil Capitals rookie Dylan Mickelson has chipped in offensively early this season.

By Robin Wark

The Virden Oil Capitals’ rookies likely did not need much caffeine on the opening day of the
Manitoba Junior Hockey League season.
“We were on the road for our first game against Way Way,” said hometown rookie defenceman
Christian Pitz. “It was their home opener and we knew the barn was going to be electric. From
the second I woke up, I was pumped for the game already. I was very proud to be an Oil Cap
and playing for my home town. I got to start the game with Shafes (captain Nate Schaefer) on
the back end. I thought we played well. Didn’t have the outcome we wanted but it was a great
first game.” The Oil Capitals fell 5-2 in their season opener against the Waywayseecappo Wolverines, but rebounded to win their home opener 5-4. Virden had nine rookies in its opening lineup and there were 12 on the roster, as of Oct. 12. Two other rookies contributed before being released. Three of the Oil Capitals’ top seven scorers were rookies. “Our young players have made a good impression to start the season,” Virden head coach and general manager Tyson Ramsey said. “They are a group that has some size, skill and add to the speed of our group. They are an extremely coachable group and want to get better every day. They compete hard and are pushing our returning players in a positive way.”
Many of the Oil Capitals’ rookies played U18 AAA last year. A couple played in the Canadian
Sport School Hockey League ranks, while two played U.S. high school hockey. Moving up to the
junior level has required some adjustment.
“The number one thing I noticed moving up to the next level was the size of the players,” said
Pitz, who played for Winnipeg’s Rink Hockey Academy. “The game is quicker, but I think playing the last two years in the CSSHL has prepared me well. I got lots of work ahead of me to reach my goals. I think it’s going to be a great year.”

The rookies are learning from 11 veterans returning from last year’s squad that competed in the MJHL finals. Schaefer is the Oil Capitals’ captain, while Brooks Siemens, Carson Wright, Tyson Draper and Liam Goertzen serve as assistant captains.
“The older guys have helped me a lot by showing me what to expect on and off the ice,” said
rookie forward Dylan Mickelson, who is from Scottsdale, Ariz. “If I have any questions they’re
there to answer them. It’s been really fun so far, looking forward to a fun year.” As of Oct. 12, Pitz ranked third on the Oil Capitals in scoring with seven points through eight games. He was tied for third in scoring among MJHL defencemen. With six points, Mickelson was fifth on the team in scoring. Bottineau, N.D.’s Peyton Getzlaff had three goals and five points to sit seventh in scoring on the Oil Capitals. Forwards Ragnar Gillis of Morden and Cole Dupuis of Brandon each had two points, as of Oct.12. Killarney’s Taylor Lockhart had appeared in four games. Shane Elder of Wawanesa led the
Oil Caps with 30 penalty minutes in six games.
Rookie goaltender Kasey Fuson of Sturgeon County, Alta. had won both of his starts and
posted a 1.50 goals-against average. Defencemen Luka Fay and Spencer Kuntz are both from
Winnipeg. Fay had three points in seven games. The recently added Kuntz had played two
games for the Oil Capitals. Brandon’s Grady Taylor, who also plays on the blue line, had three
assists in five games. Fellow defenceman Brady Nelson of Excelsior, Minn., had an assist
through four games. The rookies have appreciated various aspects so far of being part of the Oil Capitals. “I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the boys and spending time with them,” Mickelson said. “The fans are really supportive as well for the home games so it’s nice to play in front of them. Virden is a really tight community and makes it easy for the young guys to fit in.”