Before the clock struck on the Jan. 10 trade deadline, the Oil Capitals made a trio of moves to help the team now and in the future.
“We’re excited with what has transpired over the last 24 hours-plus,” stated Jamie Hodson, the team’s director of business and hockey operations, on the Oil Capitals’ website. “We’ve added some depth to our team both up front and on the backend.”
The Oil Caps picked up 20-year-old Tanner McKechnie from the Swan Valley Stampeders for a player development fee. The forward from Regina had seven goals, 20 points, and 57 penalty minutes in 35 games this season.
The Oil Caps got another forward from the Stampeders by sending a 2019 MJHL fifth-round draft pick the other way. Jesse Mistelbacher had not been with the Stamps this season but rather had been playing for the Western Hockey League Moose Jaw Warriors. Following the trade, the 17-year-old Ile Des Chenes product was assigned to Virden. He had an assist in 15 WHL games this season.
On the back end, Virden acquired 19-year-old blue liner Jacob Evans from Dauphin for veteran forward/defenceman Brayden Pawluk and prospect Slade Stanick, a forward. Evans, who is from Wasau, Wisc., had four goals and 12 points in 39 games this season.
THIS WEEK
Eight Oil Caps were slated to compete in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League/MJHL Showcase on Monday and Tuesday in Regina. Scouts came from various levels to watch the top players from both leagues play.
This week the Caps conclude their four-game home stand, hosting Portage on Friday night and Selkirk on Saturday. Friday is Oil and Energy Appreciation Night.
The Oil Caps will be wearing special jerseys designed by Seth Eady from Virden Junior High. The jerseys, supported by Baker Hughes, were refined by Virden product Brooks Freeman and will be auctioned (silent auction) at the game.
Anyone working or involved in the oil and gas industry and their family will be admitted free on Friday.
AWARD WINNERS
Ben Dalke and Tristen Cross, who grew up in Virden, were named the Virden and Reston Drugs Player of the Month for December.
Dalke, the team’s captain, had nine points in as many games. Cross, an assistant captain and defenceman, had five points in nine games.
Blake Sidoni was a runner-up for the Recycle Everywhere MJHL Player of the Week.
STAMPEDERS 4, VIRDEN 3 OT
On Jan. 8, the Oil Caps started a four-game home stand by fighting back to force overtime and earn a standings point. After Swan Valley scored two goals 22 seconds apart with 13:35 gone by in the second period, Virden trailed 3-1.
Pawluk and Kanaski, on a power play, lit the lamp to tie the contest before the end of the period. Neither team scored in the third. Quintin Sudom had the winner in overtime for Swan Valley.
Brock Shwaluk had Virden’s first goal of the game to tie the score at 1-1 in the opening period. Oil Caps goalie Dalton Dosch made 28 saves.
OIL CAPS 8, BLIZZARD 4
On a very offensive night on Jan. 11, the Oil Caps prevailed 8-4 over OCN. Virden led 3-1 and 4-2 at the intermissions. In a crazy third period, the Oil Capitals outscored OCN, 4-2. The Blizzard scored first in the third, but Virden reeled off four straight goals. After a goal with almost nine and a half minutes gone, Virden scored three times between the 14:15 mark and 15:13 to take an 8-3 lead.
Sidoni led Virden with two goals. Also scoring for the Oil Caps were Jack Einarson, Tristan Thompson, Jacob Evans, and Dylan Halliday and hometown products Tanner Andrew and Cross. Riley Wallace made 31 saves on 35 shots for Virden.
