Written by: Scott Savard
Headline photo: Scott Savard
Okotoks, AB (December 20, 2025) – The Okotoks Oilers are set to wrap up for the holidays as they finish off 2025 against the Smoke Eaters in Trail tonight.
While the season series is tied at one a piece, the two games played previously were anything but even, with the Oilers hosting the first meeting on November 7 and handing the Smoke Eaters an 8-3 loss at Viking Rentals Centre, marking a season high for Okotoks in goals scored in a single game. The Smoke Eaters handed the Green and Gold a receipt back in Trail with the Oilers being dealt a 7-1 defeat back on November 22.
The Green and Gold were able to hold off former Oiler, Otto Hanson, off the scoresheet in his first game against his previous BCHL club. However, in the second meeting, Hanson would be awarded the second star honours after producing a goal and an assist.
In the Oilers 8-3 win over Trail, captain Brett Wilson (Calgary, AB) was a standout as he produced his first-ever BCHL hat trick, along with an assist for a four-point night, and was awarded the game’s first star honours. Wilson currently leads the team in points with 26 (9G, 17A) in 26 games during the 2025-2026 BCHL season, so far.
Eric Young (Mill Bay, BC) made both starts in the games against Trail, but Ben Vatis (Vancouver, BC) is expected to make his first start against the Smoke Eaters tonight, as he stands between the pipes for the Oilers in as many weekends. Vatis helped the Oilers pick up a point in Sherwood Park last weekend as he backstopped the team to extra time against their Interior East Division rivals in the Crusaders.
The Oilers enter tonight after grabbing a 4-3 win against the Cranbrook Bucks, which was highlighted by Jeff Niehaus (Calgary, AB) and Kash Krawford (Atlanta, GA) picking up their first career BCHL goals, along with Jordan Murray (Decker, MB) getting revenge against his former squad with a power play marker.
The Smoke Eaters are also coming off a win as they beat the Brooks Bandits last night, 5-2 in Trail.
Tonight’s game is set for 8:00 p.m. MST and can be viewed on FloHockey.
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.
