The Virden Oil Capitals made a few roster changes to try and bolster their lineup following the MJHL Showcase held in Winnipeg earlier this week.
First, they released 19 year old forward Riker Franczak who was acquired earlier in September from the Humboldt Broncos. Franczak, from Calgary, AB, appeared in 3 games for the Oil Caps and recorded 1 assist. He has returned to Calgary to play Junior B hockey in Alberta.
Next, the Oil Caps traded forward Parker Brakebill to the Wisconsin Lumberjacks of the SIJHL for a PDF. Brakebill joined the Caps at the start of last season and in his time in Virden played in 44 games and tallied 7 goals and 4 assists for 11 points. Brakebill was an excellent teammate and was the Oil Caps top community volunteer in his time with the club. His character and hardworking personality will certainly be missed in the organization and the community. Head Coach and GM Tyson Ramsey had this to say, “Riker and Parker will certainly be missed. Riker, although only here a short time, was an excellent young guy in the dressing room and his mature attitude and the way he handled his time here was nothing short of professional and what can I say about Parker, just a tremendous human being and very well liked by his teammates and the community of Virden. He worked very hard on and off the ice to become a better player and person. He will be missed very much by his billet family and we wish him nothing but the best as he moves forward in his hockey career. At the end of the day both guys needed to go to a team where they would see the ice more and when we picked up Dawson and Blocker, it came apparent that as older guys they weren’t going to get the ice time they wanted. So we are very happy for both Riker and Parker to have moved to places where they will play.”
The Oil Capitals also added 2 forwards in Nolan Dawson and Owen Blocker. Both will be huge assets as the club moves into a busy part of the schedule. Dawson, who hails from Airdrie, AB, was acquired for a PDF from the Olds Grizzlies of the AJHL, however he is no stranger to the MJHL as he spent part of last season with the OCN Blizzard, playing 51 games and scoring 11 goals and adding 20 assists for 31 points to go along with 71 penalty minutes. The big 20 year old centerman will be a welcome addition to an Oil Caps club that is looking to be harder and heavier to play against.
The Oil Capitals then had 19 year old forward Owen Blocker return to the Oil Caps after 3 seasons in the WHL split between the Swift Current Broncos and the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Blocker, who is from Oakbank, MB was a 6th round pick by the Oil Caps in the 2015 bantam draft. The big winger will plays with skill and grit and will certainly add to the depth up front for the Caps.
Head Coach and GM Tyson Ramsey was excited to add both guys to the lineup. “As a club we are real excited to add Nolan and Owen. In Nolan we get a guy that has experience in the league and can play up the middle which is a huge asset for us. He can play in all situations and adds a heaviness to our lineup which we were looking for. And Owen will be a great addition to our top 6 forward group. His experience in the WHL the last 3 seasons will be valuable to pass on to our group and we can’t wait to get him in the lineup against Portage on Sunday at home in Virden. Owen is skilled and fast and plays the game with grit and hard work. He will be a guy we can put in all situations and has the skill to play with our top guys.
The Oil Caps continue this busy part of the schedule when they host the Portage Terriers this Sunday at Tundra Oil and Gas Place with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 pm.