Written by: Scott Savard
Headline photo: Scott Savard
Okotoks, AB (February 10, 2026) – Okotoks Oilers GM and Head Coach, Tyler Deis, was busy today at the BCHL trade deadline as the Green and Gold completed four separate trades.
The Oilers will have a change in net as Eric Young (Mill Bay, BC) was sent to the Langley Rivermen for Future Considerations. Okotoks added 2006-born netminder Patrik Kliment (Banska Bystrica, SVK) from the Victoria Grizzlies for Future Considerations.
Kliment has spent the majority of his hockey career in his home country of Slovakia, as this season was the first time he has played for a team outside of the European country. Kliment played four games for the Grizzlies after spending time between HK Detva (Slovakia2) and Barani Banska Bystrica U20 (Slovakia U20). Kliment’s numbers in the Slovakia U20 league this season were remarkable as he posted a 10-2-0 record while holding a 2.13 goals against average and a .915 save percentage. He would also play with the U19 Slovakia national team in the two previous seasons, along with the Slovakia U20 national team this season.
Kliment also performs when the lights are at their brightest, as he posted a 9-2-0 record during the 2024-2025 postseason with Barani Banska Bystrica U20. In those 11 games, Kliment posted a 1.66 goals against average and a 9.44 save percentage.
Young, who made his Oilers debut this season after being acquired from the Coquitlam Express, was the backbone of the team as he gave the Oilers a chance to win every night. Young posted a winning record in Okotoks, going 15-11-0-1 with a shutout against the Saints in Spruce Grove on November 15, 2025. Young would also help the Oilers break the regular-season curse against the Brooks Bandits as he made 30 saves in the overtime win on January 25. In the 27 games Young tended the goal for the Green and Gold, he would accumulate 756 saves, with his most (38) coming against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks on January 31.
The Oilers would exchange defencemen with the Prince George Spruce Kings, as Okotoks sent Gabe Simpson (Lafayette, CO), who was sent to the B.C. team with Future Considerations for the playing rights to Fraser Leonard (London, GBR), who is currently playing with former Okotoks Oiler Kade Duell (Taber, AB) with the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the WHL and Future Considerations.
Leonard appeared in 24 games with the Spruce Kings this season and recorded 8 points (2G, 6A) before heading to the Hurricanes, where he has 4 assists in 10 games. Leonard has played for the Prince George Cougars, Saskatoon Blades, and spent the majority of his WHL career with the Calgary Hitmen. During the 2023-2024 season with the Hitmen, Leonard appeared in 51 games and added 9 points (4G, 5A). He is also a product of Edge School, as he played two full seasons with the U18 and U16 Prep squads.
Simpson made his first appearance with the Green and Gold back on October 4, 2025. It wouldn’t take Simpson long to find his groove as he scored his first BCHL goal a game later against the Surrey Eagles. He wasn’t afraid to use his body to help defend, as the Green Army will fondly remember his crushing hits at Viking Rental Centre, but Simpson also produced on the scoresheet with his seven points (3G, 4A) in 32 games with Okotoks. Simpson was acquired by getting signed shortly into the season.
The Oilers would make changes at each position as a deal between Okotoks and Powell River would involve 2005-born forward Josh Wiebe (Calgary, AB) to the Kings, along with 2006-born forward Sam Esposito (Westfield, NJ) coming back to Okotoks for the return.
Espostio is in his first season in the BCHL, as he previously played with current Oilers, Joey Gugino (Buffalo, NY) and Marko Lisica (Plainview, NY) with the Long Island Gulls last season, as well as splitting his time with the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks of the NAHL. While Powell River has struggled this season, Esposito has produced as he leaves the Kings tied fourth on their team in points with 16 (5G, 11A) in 40 games. From December 20, 2025, to January 25, Espostio was on fire for the Kings as he accumulated eight points (3G, 5A) in nine games.
Wiebe, who was in his first season with the Green and Gold after spending time with the Brooks Bandits and Trail Smoke Eaters, thrived in Okotoks as he hit career highs in goals, assists, and points while playing in the BCHL. as of today, Wiebe was tied for first one the team with 12 goals and second in points with the current roster for the Oilers with 25 in 37 games played. Wiebe produced five multi-point nights while with the Oilers, along with a three-point night against Spruce Grove on January 23, where he potted two goals, including the game-winning goal.
The Oilers Organization is excited about the additions of Kliment, Esposito, and Leonard, along with looking forward to showcasing their talents in front of the Green Army. The Oilers give thanks to Simpson, Wiebe, and Young for their contributions on and off the ice while taking part in community activities, spending time with the youth of Okotoks, and for the hard work they put in each night for the Green and Gold.
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.
