Okotoks, AB (September 24, 2025) – The Okotoks Oilers have announced that the team has acquired 2006-born goaltender Eric Young (Mill Bay, BC) from the Coquitlam Express for future considerations.
Young most recently suited up for the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL last season while also splitting his time with the Coquitlam Express. Young began last season with the Express, starting in 25 of their games, before joining the Sea Dogs, where he played in 15 games for the QMJHL club.
“It feels good. Happy to be here, guys welcomed me in, and just happy to be here,” Young said after participating in his first practice with the Oilers.
Young never got to play against the Oilers, but he did get to watch them at the BCHL Showcase during the 2024-2025 season.
“I think they’re a well-rounded team that played with grit, and as a team, which I really liked and made me excited to come here,” Young added about what he saw when watching the Oilers last season.
He mentioned that after participating in today’s practice, the same vibe is still with the team that he saw play last season.
“I think the same thing I saw in that game, and a lot of guys that are excited to be here, guys are having fun and ready to make some noise,” he said.
During the Showcase, Young played against Brooks and would stand on his head, carrying his team to a shootout. He would end up making 37 saves on 39 shots and had little help from his Express teammates, as they were only able to get 14 shots off, with extra time. Former Okotoks Oiler goaltender Olivier Ciarlo (Laval, QB) took note of Young’s play during that game and made sure to have a conversation with Young after the game.
“Yeah, kind of cool moment between us. I didn’t really know him, but he seems like a great guy. He came up to me in warmups and just told me, because we played Brooks, unfortunately we didn’t come up with the win in that game, but it was a well fought battle, and he just said that I played well, and that went a long way, especially on how the team’s run here and the characters that are on this team as well,” Young said about his interaction with Ciarlo.
Young’s game against Brooks not only caught Ciarlo’s eye, but Oilers Assistant Coach Derek Purfield was also impressed with Young’s performance at the BCHL Showcase. Purfield explained that through scouting, InStat, and watching him at the Showcase last season, once Young’s name came across after not being picked up in the QMJHL, the Oilers staff jumped on the opportunity to bring him in.
“Watching him last year, and on his InStat, just his calm demeanour. He’s very calm in the net and makes things look easy, but he also competes hard. Goaltending, you know, it’s never going to be perfect; there are going to be some plays that you need to compete on. So he’s a bit of a mix, which is perfect,” Purfield said about what he enjoys in Young’s style of play and mindset. “He knows our league, knows the teams that we go up against and stuff like that. I always think that’s a big advantage of having a guy who is experienced.”
Ben Vatis (Vancouver, BC) has played in the first two games with the Oilers and has faced 92 shots, which is not a regular occurrence for a goaltender. Bringing Young on will help alleviate some of that workload for Vatis and help give 2007-born goaltender Dane Gillis (Chestermere, AB) more time to develop before making his first start for the Green and Gold.
“Benny had those two games, unbelievable. With him having those two games under his belt and us getting to see that, and him going through that, gaining confidence, having Eric coming in as a 20-year-old, they are going to push each other. That’s what you want, that competitive spirit,” Purfield said.
Young, who turns 20 on December 30, comes with a veteran presence, just like Ciarlo did last season.
“Whenever you can have a guy come in with that journeyman experience, for Benny and Dane to learn from, it’s huge. Even day-to-day processing, anything they can pick up on,” Purfield said about Young’s experience.
The Oilers’ new goaltender put on the miles last season, travelling across Canada. When asked which was his favourite stop, Young responded with Halifax.
“Halifax is pretty cool, just playing in the barn, they had close to 10,000 people, and to send them out of their rink with a loss was pretty fun,” Young said.
Young is ready to get back to work in the BCHL and is excited to perform in front of the Green Army this season.
“Yeah, it’s a great league. I always wanted to play in the BCHL, especially as a guy who wanted to go to school really early, and I think it’s still a great path to get there. Happy to be back,” Young added.
The Okotoks Oilers are a not-for-profit, community-run junior hockey franchise competing in the BCHL and operating out of Viking Rentals Centre. For more information, visit okotoksoilers.com or follow the Oilers on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.
