The Virden Oil Capitals are hoping Marshall Light’s youthful talent and playoff experience can help them now and in the future.
Last season, as a 17-year-old rookie, the Moosomin product helped the Battlefords North Stars win the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League championship. The squad went 12-1 in the league playoffs.
“Last season in the postseason I learnt how to deal with some adversity after losing our first playoff game of the season. Other than that, I learnt how to win - coming to the rink each and every single day with the right mindset and attitude. I’m hoping I can bring this all to my teammates here in Virden,” said Light, whose Oil Caps are currently playing the Neepawa Titans in the first round of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League playoffs.
In 2023, the North Stars went on to finish second in the Centennial Cup, Canada’s national Junior A hockey championship. The title that season was won in Portage la Prairie by the Brooks (Alta.) Bandits, who included Oak Lake’s Hunter Wallace.
Light started this hockey season with the North Stars. He collected four goals and 10 points in 24 games before being swapped to Virden in January.
“He is a great teammate and brings some valuable playoff experience with him from his time in Battleford,” Oil Capitals head coach Tyson Ramsey said. “We are very excited to have him here and look forward to how he develops as a player.”
Since joining the Oil Capitals, Light has proven he can light the lamp. All five of his points in 16 regular season contests with Virden were goals. The 6-foot-1, 155-pound Light capped the regular season in style by scoring a hattrick in a victory over Waywayseecappo.
“Marshall is a good skater and has good skills for a younger guy,” Ramsey said. “He can get in on the forecheck quickly and has an ability to score.”
The son of Greg and Jaime Light has appreciated playing closer to his home community. It is just one aspect of what he has liked about playing for the Oil Capitals.
“The thing I enjoy most about playing close to home is that all my friends and family can all come to every home game if they’d like,” said Light, who billets with Ryan and Kelli Potter and their daughter Lilly. “The other part I enjoy about playing in Virden is my teammates. We are all super close with each other and it makes it way more enjoyable coming to the rink every morning. I also enjoy all the support from the fans and community. That is super special.”
