The Okotoks Oilers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League are delighted to announce that second-year defenceman Kade Turner (Calgary, AB) has committed to attend and play for Ferris State University.
Located in Big Rapids, Michigan, the Ferris State Bulldogs compete in the NCAA’s Division I Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA), under 31st-year head coach Bob Daniels.
“Kade is extremely deserving of this opportunity and he’s a great fit for Ferris State,” said Oilers head coach and general manager Tyler Deis. “Our staff have worked with Turner since his time in minor hockey and it’s been great to see how far he’s come in establishing himself as a top competitor in this league.”
The 03-born Turner is currently the sixth-highest scoring defenceman in the AJHL, having recorded 22 points (2 goals, 20 assists) in 27 games so far this season. In his debut campaign last season, Turner scored 26 points (7 goals, 19 assists) in 56 games, adding 81 penalty minutes and an additional 4 points in 14 playoff games, including two goals.
“Ferris State showed a lot of interest in me and seemed like a school that fits me really well,” Turner noted. “Coach Deis has had a big impact on me, developing the smarts of the game and showing me how to think about it a little bit differently.”
Prior to signing with the Oilers, Turner spent two seasons with the U18 AAA Calgary Buffaloes, including a win at the Macs Tournament in 2019-20, a year in which he scored the third-most playoff goals in the AEHL, notching five of them in just six games.
He is the sixth player on this season’s Oilers roster committed to an NCAA Division I school, and the third to commit this season, joining:
- Connor Gourley (Arizona State)*
- Conyr Hellyer (Arizona State)
- Sam Huck (Western Michigan)
- Jagger Tapper (RPI)
- Rylan Brown (Michigan Tech)
*committed prior to joining Okotoks