Written by: Scott Savard
Headline photo: Scott Savard
Okotoks, AB (February 10, 2026) – The Okotoks Oilers have announced the signing of 2006-born forward Matthew Hikida (Richmond, BC) to the 2025-2026 BCHL roster.
Matthew, who is the cousin of the Oilers assistant captain Jamie Hikida (Richmond, BC), makes his way to the Green and Gold after playing three seasons with the Lloydminster Bobcats of the AJHL. This season, Matthew set career highs in goals, assists, and points with the Bobcats, recording 10 goals, 20 assists, and 30 points in 37 games.
Matthew is excited to be a member of the Oilers, saying, “It’s a great feeling, and I’m very excited to be here, just to play a couple of games and get a feel for it.”
Matthew also expressed how great it is to be back playing with his cousin Jamie.
“It’s definitely good to have him. I haven’t played with him in a couple of years, so getting a little rust off from our plays, our connections, and stuff. Just excited to be on his line,” Matthew said about playing with Jamie.
Matthew, just like recent signing Ben Deacon (St. Albert, AB), played with the U19 Canada West team this season before getting the call to the BCHL.
“Yeah, that was a great experience. We got treated very well, such an honour to wear the flag on your chest. I like having (Deacon) here; it obviously makes it a little bit easier to blend in with the other guys just because you have prior connections. We actually hung out quite a bit while we were there. I played lots of cards with him. So, yeah, it’s nice to see him again,” he said.
As for his style of game, Matthew described it by saying, “I’d say I’m a fast, high compete player that likes to grind the game and create opportunities for my linemates.”
Jamie explained that the feeling is mutual about the two playing together on the Oilers, as he’s excited to hit the ice with Matthew.
“Yeah, it’s a great feeling. I feel like we’ve had it in the back of our minds for the last three years, because we grew up together, and since we were 4 years old, we played together. So, junior was the first time we didn’t play on the same team. So, yeah, obviously it’s a great feeling. ” Jamie said about playing with Matthew.
Jamie explained that Matthew only lived about a street over from him, so both Hikida’s would spend a ton of time playing road hockey together as well as play on the same team on the ice.
He would add that Matthew brings speed, plays super physical, and finds the net well. When asked if Matthew crashes the net as much as Jamie, he responded by saying, “I think he might do it better than me.”
Both Matthew and Jamie are excited to showcase their chemistry on the ice together in front of the Green Army and help the team collect some more wins. The Oilers faithful have a chance to see the Hikida’s this weekend as the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, along with the Sherwood Park Crusaders, will be in Okotoks to face the Green and Gold on Friday and Saturday.
Tickets are still available at: https://tickets.okotoksoilers.com/events/37876-spruce-grove-saints-vs-okotoks-oilers
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.
