Virden Oil Capitals head coach and general manager Tyson Ramsey cannot wait to get going this weekend.
The Oil Capitals’ fall camp runs Sept. 2-4 at the Tundra Oil & Gas Place. Ramsey expects to have about 45 players in camp with 12 of those being returning athletes. The team opens its regular season on Sept. 16 at home against Waywayseecappo.
“It's always exciting to start with a new group,” said Ramsey, who is about to begin his fourth season leading the squad. “Excited to see our returning players take the next step and really looking forward to seeing our young guys who expect to challenge for a spot.”
Last season the Oil Caps posted a 30-20-4-0 record to finish third in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s West Division. In the spring, the team swept Waywayseecappo, 4-0, in the opening round of the playoffs. The Oil Caps lost 4-2 in the league semifinals to Steinbach.
Both MJHL MVP Braden Fischer (35 goals and 74 points in 52 games) and league Rookie of the Year Carson Buydens are among the top players who are eligible to return. Bray Rookes of Manson could be manning the blue line for his fourth campaign while Virden’s Eric Reid could be back in goal for his second season with the local club.
Over the summer, Ramsey signed a four-year contract extension with the Oil Capitals. It runs through the 2025-2026 campaign. He has a 70-43-10 record during his time as head coach. When asked about committing to the organization, Ramsey said:
“My family and I just really like being a part of this community and working with the people in the Oil Caps organization along with the business community and season ticket holders and fans. This is a top-notch organization from the board of directors all the way through. It is home to us, and we look forward to the next four years and trying to bring a championship here.”
Brett Braybrook returns as an assistant coach. Derek LeBlanc will assist on a part-time basis. Stalwart Ryan Potter returns to mentor the team’s goalies.
