Dallas, TX – Okotoks Oilers Centre Austin Wong (Cochrane AB) has become the 7th Oiler in franchise history to be selected in the National Hockey League Draft.
At the 2018 edition of the NHL Entry Draft, Wong was selected in the 7th Round by the Winnipeg Jets, the 215th overall selection.
Austin started his second season in Okotoks out of the NHL Central Scouting Rankings, but with his strong play both with and without the puck, slowly started to catch the eyes of NHL scouts. At the mid-term portion of the 2017-18 hockey season, Wong cracked the North American skater ranks at #262 and finished 174th at the final North American ranking period.
The 2000 born forward had 55 points (25 goals, 29 assists) in 54 games played in the 2017-18 Alberta Junior Hockey League season, and he added 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) in 15 playoff games where the Oilers made their first appearance in the AJHL Championship series.
Wong, 18, earned more recognition with his play during the year as he was selected to the Team Canada West selection camp for World Junior A Challenge and was named the MVP of the 2018 CJHL Prospects game, where he registered one goal and one assist in Team West’s victory over Team East.
Wong is committed to the Harvard University Crimson in the NCAA Division I ECAC Conference for the 2019-2020 season.
Oilers Head Coach & General Manager Tyler Deis says he saw something special in Austin in his early days coaching him and now his hard work and commitment to getting better each day has culminated in his selection at the draft.
“Austin brings strength to all aspects of his game, both on and off the ice. I have had the pleasure of watching Austin grow from the time he was 10 years old and never having a dull moment.”
The Cochrane native’s career line with the Oilers in 108 regular season games sits at 74 points (35 goals, 39 assists) and in 27 playoff games has six goals and nine assists.
Wong says it’s an honour and privilege to join the Jets organization. “I am super excited and thankful for the past two years with the Okotoks Oilers. My development both on and off the ice as an Oiler has definitely assisted with my success. I look forward to another great season with the Oilers before moving on to Harvard University.”
Wong joins current teammate Jacob Bernard-Docker (2018 – 1st Round, 26th Overall) along with Oiler alumni Rhett Gardner (2015, Dallas Stars), Rhett Holland (2012, Arizona Coyotes), Derek Rodwell (2009, New Jersey Devils), Corban Knight (2009, Florida Panthers) and Brad Eidsness (2007, Buffalo Sabres) drafted into the NHL.
The Oilers organization would like to congratulate Austin and the Wong family on this incredible achievement and thank Austin for his team involvement both on and off the ice, as well as his dedication to our organization and the Okotoks and surrounding community with class and professionalism.
Austin will join the Jets at the 2018 Development Camp.
