OKOTOKS, AB (September 15, 2022) — For over a decade, Gino De Paoli has been the voice most associated with the Okotoks Oilers. But today, the team wishes him the absolute best as his time as Voice of the Oilers ends in favour of an incredible new opportunity that he has worked hard to achieve.
Some news to pass along to you this morning. I’m stepping away as the voice of the @OkotoksOilers on @TheEagle1009 where I’ve called games at the Centennial Arena for the past 11 years. I’ll have more to tell in the coming days. But thank-you Okotoks for everything! #AJHL pic.twitter.com/3a9VE6xZQk
— Gino De Paoli (@GDP_PXP) September 13, 2022
Joining the team in 2012 after calling games in Whitecourt previously, De Paoli has been behind the microphone for many of the franchise’s biggest moments, from the seven-game classic series with Brooks in his first season, to the team’s run to the AJHL Final in 2018 and its game against the Spruce Grove Saints at Rexall Place. Beloved by staff, players, and fans alike, his voice has been behind the great highlights of many of the team’s biggest NHL prospects, including Jacob Bernard-Docker, Dylan Holloway, and Nick Blankenburg.
But perhaps most importantly, few at this level of hockey have promoted the brand of their team as much as did Gino over the course of his time in Okotoks. The Oilers owe him a debt of gratitude that can never be fully repaid, as his endless passion for the organization permeated the Okotoks community and helped to push the franchise in a modern direction, entertaining existing fans and creating new fans all at the same time.
Our awesome broadcaster Gino De Paoli gets a standing ovation at our golf tournament in thanks for his more than a decade of service to our organization!
Thank you Gino, no one could have done it better than you! #AJHL pic.twitter.com/SuOX3paYkP
— Okotoks Oilers (@OkotoksOilers) September 14, 2022
The Oilers do not plan to replace Gino in the coming 2022-23 season but will instead utilize a rotating cast of broadcasters for home webcasts and road radio broadcasts, which will once again be on the longtime broadcast home of the Oilers, The Eagle 100.9.
The team invites all Oilers fans to join us in congratulating Gino on his amazing new opportunity, for which no one has worked harder, and in thanking him for his over a decade of service to our organization.