OKOTOKS, AB (November 3, 2022) — The Okotoks Oilers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) have acquired the playing rights to 2002-born forward Ethan Rowland (Calgary, AB) from the Vernon Vipers of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) in exchange for future considerations, the team announced today.
Rowland, 20, is expected to be in the lineup for Friday night’s divisional matchup in Drumheller.
“Bringing Ethan to our team is exciting for our staff,” said Oilers head coach and general manager Tyler Deis. “We’re very familiar with him as a player and believe his speed and skill will fit in exceptionally well with our current lineup.”
A former standout for the Calgary Northstar Sabres in his bantam campaign in 2016-17, in which he led his team in scoring with 39 points (14 goals, 25 assists) in 34 games, Rowland was a then-teammate of current Oiler captain Dean Spak.
Subsequently, he dressed in 111 games in the Western Hockey League (WHL) for the Red Deer Rebels and Kamloops Blazers, scoring 21 points and adding a goal in 17 playoff games.
His is a familiar name to Oilers fans, as his younger brother Jackson has been a rookie standout for Okotoks this season, debuting following an AEHL All-Star campaign with the U18 AAA Northstars.