By Gino De Paoli
Photos courtesy of Hockey Canada
Edmonton, AB (January 5, 2021) ? Former Okotoks Oilers centre Dylan Holloway (Bragg Creek, AB) has become the second Oiler graduate to win a medal at the World Junior Hockey Championship (Jacob Bernard-Docker 2020), after the United States downed Canada 2 -0 on Tuesday night at Rogers Arena.
Holloway finished the tournament with two points (1 goal, 1 assist) in seven games. Despite being injured and shuffled in Canada?s line-up, Holloway was deemed one of Canada?s top skaters and responsible defenders allowing him to benefit anyone he played with during the tournament.
Oilers Chairman of the Board Wayne Lauinger says it is another great day for the Oilers Organization with Holloway?s work at the World Juniors.
?Being able to see where Dylan started his hockey journey in the confines of Pason Centennial Arena, here in Okotoks, to now watching him from my living room, it brings plenty of pride and honour not only with how Dylan has represented himself but also as an Ambassador to the Okotoks Oilers and the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Once An Oiler, Always An Oiler.?
As most were watching or listening to the tournament, the Oilers Organization would like to congratulate Dylan, and his family, on his silver medal winning performance and for all his hard work and dedication under the most abnormal circumstances getting to the World Juniors. The journey from the initial quarantine coming up from the NCAA to Canada, to the Team quarantine following positive COVID-19 tests before arriving to the Edmonton World Junior bubble has been unique to say the least.
Oilers Head Coach / General Manager Tyler Deis says watching Dylan once again achieve the highest accolades in International Hockey shows what kind of player Holloway is and the potential, he has to be a pro in the future.
?It doesn?t matter whether he?s a Northwest Flame, an Okotoks Oiler, a Wisconsin Badger or one day an Edmonton Oiler, Dylan has all the tools to be an effective player in the National Hockey League,? he says. ?Watching him in the World Juniors or here in Okotoks, Dylan has been an incredible ambassador to our team, league and community and we couldn?t be prouder of what he has accomplished and can?t wait for the next step he takes in his career.?
Holloway is a 1st Round Pick of the Edmonton Oilers in the 2020 NHL Draft, 14th overall and is currently in his sophomore season with the Wisconsin Badgers of the NCAA?s Big 10 Conference where he had two goals in two games prior to joining Team Canada in Red Deer in preparation for the World Juniors.
Holloway now has a Silver Medal in the World Juniors (2021), Gold Medal in the World Junior A Challenge (2017), Gold Medal in the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup (2018) and a Silver Medal at the World U-17 tournament (2017). The former Oiler also achieved the highest honours while wearing the Green & Gold as he was the Alberta Junior Hockey League and Canadian Junior Hockey League MVP in 2019.
The entire Oilers Board of Directors, Staff, Personnel, Volunteers, Coaches and Players would like to congratulate Dylan on his silver medal and cannot wait to honour him when we get the opportunity to do so. The Okotoks Oilers would also like to salute Okotoks native Peyton Krebs (Las Vegas 1st Round Pick, 2019, 17th overall) and the Krebs family on his strong contribution to Team Canada?s Silver Medal win and for what their family means to the Oilers Organization and the entire community of Okotoks. The Krebs family has been a huge part of our Organization as a part of the Oilers Billet Family program which housed Dylan during his time in Okotoks, as well as many others before and after him. Also winning silver is Team Canada Assistant Coach Michael Dyck (Vancouver Giants), who is the father to Okotoks Oilers current Alternate Captain Carson Dyck. Congratulations Coach Dyck and best of luck as you begin your season in the Western Hockey League.
For more information please contact:
Tyler Deis
Head Coach / General Manager
Okotoks Oilers Hockey Club
Email: tyler.deis@okotoksoilers.com
Office: 403-995-2255
Cell: 403-389-1216