Ches Dicks was the inspiration and driving force behind the attraction of Junior A Hockey to Fort McMurray. After lengthy negotiations with the Alberta Junior Hockey League, Ches, in conjunction with co-owner Mark Messier acquired the Oil Baron Franchise, hired coach Larry Billows, and recruited some of the finest junior hockey talent in Western Canada to open the 1981-82 inaugural Oil Baron season.
Ches later acquired the “interest of Messier and was soon joined by a number of local investors who supported the club through its first 3 years of operations until management was assumed by the Northern Alberta Athletic Association, a not-for-profit community owned Society.
Ches laid the foundation for Junior A Hockey in Fort McMurray, gave the Oil Barons its name and prepared it for 3 Alberta Junior Hockey League championships, 1 Doyle Cup championship and 1 Royal Bank Cup Canadian championship. The Oil Baron
organization and the community at large are indebted to Ches Dicks for bringing Junior A Hockey to Fort McMurray and laying the foundation to what has become one of Canada’s most revered Junior A Hockey Franchises.
