OKOTOKS, AB (September 9, 2025) – The Okotoks Oilers have announced their leadership group ahead of the 2025-2026 BCHL regular season, with all of the captains hailing from Alberta.
Brett Wilson (Calgary, AB) will be wearing the “C” as the captain, along with Hunter Sawka (Cochrane, AB), Ryder de Nys (Canmore, AB), and Jacob Goudreau (St. Albert, AB) serving as assistant captains. All four players are returning players for the Oilers this season and have a combined 416 games in an Oilers sweater.
This season will mark the first time Goudreau, de Nys, and Sawka wear a letter on their chest as leaders on the Oilers. While it’s the first time Wilson has represented to Oilers as captain, he’s not new to the leadership group, as he served as an assistant captain for Okotoks last season. Jackson Rowland (Calgary, AB) served as captain last season, with Cyle Clayton (Strathmore, AB) as an assistant captain with Wilson.
Captain – Brett Wilson
Wilson, who is entering his third season with the Oilers, brings skill with his 78 points (39G, 39A) in 124 games, and also punishes opposing players with crushing hits when needed. He becomes the third Oilers captain in four seasons as he follows Rowland and Dean Spak (Calgary, AB), both whom Wilson played with in previous seasons.
“Honoured. Plain and simple, a lot of great captains in this organization before me to follow up. In my time here the previous captains really played a big part in my growth by leading by example, and being teachers and role models to learn from,” Wilson said.
Before joining the Green and Gold full time, Wilson played for the Calgary Flames U18, U16, and U15 AAA squads. Once he joined the Oilers, it wasn’t long before he earned the trust of Head Coach/GM Tyler Deis and his coaching staff as he was named assistant captain in just his second season with the team.
“I think being an assistant captain last year took a little bit of pressure off being captain this year because I’m used to having a high standard and certain expectations for myself and the team that I can continue to help build towards,” he explained.
Wilson is committed to Bemidji State University of the NCAA in Minnesota for post-secondary hockey
Assistant Captain – Hunter Sawka
Sawka is the longest tenured active Oiler as he played his first game with the Green and Gold back during the 2021-2022 season. The Sawka name isn’t new to the Green Army as his older brothers Tanner and Parker both played for the Oilers organization. Sawka finished last season with a team leading 33 assists and second in points with 39.
“I’m super excited to be a part of the leadership group this year, anytime you get recognized by your teammates and the organization in that way, it means a lot. We have great group in the room this year, and I’m looking forward to seeing how close we can come together as a group,” Sawka mentioned.
Just like Wilson, Sawka has been around strong leadership groups every season with the Oilers and plans on using what he’s learned to help lead Okotoks in an assistant captain role.
“I’ve learned a ton over the last three years. Every leader we’ve had has brought something different, whether that’s being vocal in the room or leading by example on the ice,” he added.
“It was great to be named as an assistant captain this year. I’m really excited to start the season and keep building with this group.”
Sawka has a commitment to the reigning NCAA Frozen Four Champions, Western Michigan University next season. Former Oiler Sam Huck (Calgary, AB) is currently attending the same school this season.
Assistant Captain – Ryder de Nys
The 2005-born defenceman, de Nys was awarded assistant captain as he is about to start his third full season with the Oilers. de Nys had a career season last year as he hit highs in both assists with 17 and points with 20. He would also tie his season high goal totals in junior hockey with three.
“It felt great. We’re very fortunate this year to have an experienced team with a lot of returning players and great characters, so to be chosen as one of this years captains definitely meant a lot,” de Nys said.
de Nys also gave credit to the previous leadership groups in helping him getting prepared to lead the Green and Gold as an assistant captain.
“I’ve also been lucky enough to have a lot of good people and players be leaders above me in my time here, so I think for the leadership group this year, we are just looking to continue to build off the culture that’s been established by those guys before us and lead the team to as many wins as possible,” he added.
While Sawka is the longest tenured Oiler, de Nys has the most games played as an active defenceman for Okotoks and is the only defenceman on the team this season to wear a letter on his chest.
Assistant Captain – Jacob Goudreau
Goudreau hasn’t played as many seasons with the Oilers as the previous three leaders named this season, but he earned the “A” by showcasing his talents during the Oilers first full season in the BCHL. After joining Okotoks last season, Goudreau proved to be a wrecking ball on the ice, a player the team could count on to get into the dirty areas of the ice, creating traffic in front of opposing teams nets and displaying a team first mentality.
“It feels amazing to be named a part of the leadership group this season. I think what lead to me getting the ‘A’ this year was me just doing the acts that earned respect of my teammates, like blocking shots, my relentlessness on pucks, and just my ability to be vocal,” Goudreau explained.
Goudreau came to the Oilers last season after playing on the opposite side of the ice the season previous with the Drumheller Dragons. He didn’t come alone as Jamie Hikida (Richmond, BC), Coy Pighin (Nanton, AB) and Clayton joined along with the move. Goudreau also gives credit to the previous leadership group which includes Clayton his former Dragon and Oiler teammate from last season in help continuing to grow a winning culture in the Oilers locker room.
“The leadership group last year really showed us what it took to play in this league and the sacrifices you need to take to just be in the hunt for playoffs. They taught not just me, but all our returning players valuable lessons last year that will help us build this year,” he said.
The 2006-born forward is currently committed to Lindenwood University in St. Louis and plans on joining the school for post-secondary hockey once his junior career comes to a close.
To catch the new leadership group in action, don’t miss the final game of the 2025-2026 BCHL preseason on September 13, when the Bandits visit the Oilers at Viking Rentals Centre. Puck drop for the game is at 7:05 p.m. MST.
The Oilers open up the regular season on September 19 against the Sherwood Park Crusaders. Season tickets and Flex tickets are still available at https://tickets.okotoksoilers.com/.
Openings for the annual Oilers Golf Tournament is still open, for those interested in signing up, visit https://tickets.okotoksoilers.com/events/36999-2025-okotoks-oilers-annual-golf-tournament.
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.
