Luke Calabria commits to post-secondary hockey with Hobart College

Written by: Scott Savard

Headline photo: Kiana Briscoe

Okotoks, AB (February 26, 2026) – The Okotoks Oilers Organization is proud to announce that veteran defenceman and assistant captain, Luke Calabria (Huntington, NY), has committed to playing post-secondary hockey with Hobart College of the NCAA Division III in Geneva, NY.

The Hobart Statesmen completed their three-peat as National Champions last season and are continuing to be poised to add another championship this season. The Statesmen currently hold the record for 66 home wins in a row, proving they are a dominant force.

Head Coach and GM of the Oilers, Tyler Deis, showed praise after Calabria earned his spot in continuing his hockey journey post junior career.

“Luke has put in a ton of work, dedication, and heart for us over the past two seasons. He put his body on the line by blocking shots, getting in the dirty areas of the ice, and putting his team first. He proved to be a leader both on the ice and off the ice by wearing his heart on his sleeve. Luke is joining a great school, and we are excited to see him continue to develop and grow in hockey with his commitment to Hobart,” Deis said.

Calabria expressed how proud he is to get a commitment to play post-secondary hockey, but to do so with an elite team like the Hobart Statesmen.

“It’s awesome to get it, especially in this day and age with the rule changes and stuff. To play in college hockey is harder than ever, so it’s great,” Calabria said.

He added that he had been in talks with Hobart around November and made sure to keep in contact with them, which has led to him earning the chance to play NCAA hockey.

“I knew I would find the right spot in the end, and it would all work out. I was just being patient to find the best fit academically. The Hockey program for me, too, at Hobart, I think it was really the best of both worlds, talking to them. Three National championships in a row, and just the culture and success of winning they’ve had there. It’s a great academic program, too, in my home state of New York. I really couldn’t be happier with how it all worked out,” he explained.

Calabria is thrilled to be able to go back to his state of New York and play hockey in front of his dad, Steve, and mom Debbie.

“Yeah, it’s huge, especially with my parents being just six hours away. Just how much easier it will be for them to drive up on the weekend and catch some games. It’s going to be really special to share that experience with them. I loved my time out west, but it’s also cool to be back in New York and attend a New York school. I’m super pumped,” Calabria said. “I can’t thank them enough for how much they sacrificed.”

Calabria would also thank his coaches over the past two seasons in Deis, Corban Knight, Derek Purfield, Reid Hnatowich, and Brody Hailwood. He would also thank each one of his teammates over the past two seasons, giving credit to everyone in the organization for helping him grow in the sport and earn a post-secondary commitment.

Calabria’s twin sister Tess is also excited for Calabria to continue, and he joked that he has finally caught up to his sister, who has been playing lacrosse in college for the past two years at the University of North Carolina.

“She’s super excited. She’s a lacrosse player, so there was no juniors for her, so I’m finally catching up, although we’re twins, I’m finally joining her two years later,” he joked. “She was super excited and supportive of me. We have always been competitive athletically, but we also have always celebrated each other’s accomplishments as well.”

As previously mentioned, Calabria is joining a school that not only matches his academic aspirations but also is a feared opponent on the ice, as they have had a plethora of success in the NCAA Division III league.

“Obviously, stepping into a team, program, and culture that has had that much success in the last couple of years is super awesome. I’m really excited to learn from the great coaching staff there and the older guys once I get there. They’re winning, it’s really been crazy, like I think 66 straight games at home now. They’re undefeated this year. When that opportunity came up, it was really a no-brainer, and then the academics are a bonus too. It was really just a no-brainer to step into a program and take my game to the next level,” Calabria said.

As for the Green Army, Calabria thanks everyone who has come out to support him and the team over the past two seasons.

“I know the Green and Gold have been awesome over my two years here. They’ve been awesome, and they make playing those home games so fun, just how loud it is, and the support, whether it be you know walking in the grocery store on a weekday and getting recognized and striking up a conversation for 15-20 minutes with someone, or meeting kids after the game and signing autographs. um. It’s really been a special two years.  I made a bunch of connections with this city that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

The Oiler Organization congratulates Calabria on earning a commitment to the Hobart Statesmen, as well as two years of representing the Oilers with class and proving what it means to be a part of the organization.