The Okotoks Oilers are pleased to announce that graduate defenseman Matt Strong has committed to Mount Royal University for the 2011/2012 season. Mount Royal University Cougars has a proud tradition of 13 ACAC Hockey Championships, and will be joining the CIS Canada West in the 2012 -2013 season.
Matt joined the Oilers during the middle of the 2009 – 2010 campaign after spending his previous three seasons in the WHL with the Everett Silvertips, Chilliwack Bruins, Red Deer Rebels and Vancouver Giants. Matt finishes his Oilers career with 6 goals and 29 points in 85 career regular season & playoff games.
Coach James Poole stated, “Matt was a tremendous role model & leader based on his outstanding commitment to the game and to the Oilers organization on & off the ice. Matt will be very tough to replace as he was extremely dependable as one of the best defensive defenseman in the AJHL last season. Off the ice, Matt’s off-ice work ethic was a great example for younger players as was his willingness & enthusiasm to give back to the Okotoks community during team initiatives in our Elementary School Reading and D.A.R.E programs.”
Matt is the 7th Oiler from the 2010 – 2011 team to commit to a post-secondary institution and the 4th to attend MRU along with Jeff Barrett, Mike Brown & Nick Bell. This is in addition to the previous NCAA commitments of Colten Hayes (Western Michigan), Rhett Holland (Michigan State) and Kyle Reynolds (Vermont).
The Oilers organization would like to thank Matt for his outstanding commitment to the Oilers organization for the past two years and wish him the best of luck in his new university endeavor.