Okotoks Oilers Forward Dylan Holloway (Bragg Creek, AB) has been awarded a spot on Team Canada’s U-18 roster for the upcoming Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Holloway, 16, is one of 22 members of Team Canada selected to the international event that has seen Canada win 21 of the 27 times.
In his rookie season with the Oilers, Holloway registered 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 28 games played along with seven points (5 goals, 2 assists) in 15 Alberta Junior Hockey League playoff games in which the team won its first South Division title and first appearance in the AJHL Championship Series.
Oilers GM / Head Coach Tyler Deis says another opportunity to wear the maple leaf for Holloway will do nothing but improve his game and give him the chance to take what he can from the U-18’s and bring those skills back to the Oilers for the 2018-19 AJHL season.
“Along with myself and the rest of the Oilers Organization we couldn’t be prouder of Dylan and his family for all the hard work and dedication that has been put into this young Oilers’ hockey career.”
“Playing at the U17's, World Junior A Challenge and now at the Hlinka Gretzky Tournament is just an incredible honour and shows that he has the tools he needs be a professional hockey player one day. We can’t wait to watch him on the international stage again and see how he can grow even further both on and off the ice at events like these.”
Holloway’s international career playing for Team Canada started at the World U-17 Championships last season where he and Team Canada Red won a silver medal scoring one goal in six games. He then followed up his U-17 appearance with a spot on Team Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge where he, along with former teammate Jacob Bernard-Docker, won a gold medal while Holloway registered three points (2 goals, 1 assist) in his five games played.
The Bragg Creek native is committed the NCAA Div I Wisconsin Badgers and is eligible for the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Dylan’s work in his AJHL rookie season also saw him crack the league’s All Rookie Team.
The Hlinka Gretzky Cup commences Monday, August 6 at Rogers Place in Edmonton where Canada will take on Switzerland, followed by games against Slovakia and Sweden on the 7th and 8th before the semi finals on August 10 and final gold medal game on August 11. All games will be broadcasted on TSN.
The Oilers would like to congratulate Dylan and the Holloway family for his latest accomplishment and wish them all the best at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup where we know he’ll represent the Oilers organization with class and respect through the entire tournament.
Written by Gino de Paoli