Okotoks, AB ? The Okotoks Oilers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) are proud to announce that 2001 born centerman Jack Works (Yellowknife, Northwest Territories) has committed to the University of Denver Pioneers.
Located in Denver, Colorado, the Pioneers play in the NCAA?s National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) under second year Head Coach David Carle. The Pioneers have won 25 Conference Championships, participated in 30 NCAA Tournaments, 17 berths in the Frozen Four, and are eight-time NCAA Champions, including their most recent win in 2017.
Works, 19, in his junior season with the Oilers scored four goals in three games to start the 2020-21 season before the league paused due to COVID-19 Protocol. Works was named a finalist for the League?s MVP honour in 2019-20 and was named a South Division all-star.
Oilers Head Coach / General Manager Tyler Deis says even in just a handful of games to begin the new season, Works was ready to take the next step and to commit early to the NCAA.
?We will miss Jack immensely both on and off the ice,? he says. ?His drive, passion to make teammates better, and just the way he could take over a game will be missed in our locker room. Hopefully, his attitude will rub off on others and encourage them to also take that next step, like Jack did. We could not be more excited to see him start his college hockey career, even though it is a bit earlier than expected.?
The Yellowknife native is looking forward to the work ahead at his future home with the Pioneers.
?I can?t wait for the day when I can begin my NCAA career. But I would not be where I am without the support of my family, coaches, teammates, and the Oilers Organization helping me to reach this next step.?
Works holds two prestigious franchise records, set in the 2019-20 AJHL Regular Season, Works broke Dylan Holloway?s single season points (92) & John McInnis? goal record (43). Along with those accolades, Works finishes his career as an Oiler with 125 points (65 goals & 60 assists) in 118 games played. Along with seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) in 13 Inter Pipeline Cup games.
The Oilers would like to congratulate Jack and his family on his achievement and for their dedication to our program and the local community, both on and off the ice, and wish him all the success in the reminder of the 2020-21 season in Denver.
Jack is one of ten Oilers on the 2020-21 roster committed to an NCAA Division I Institution along with:
? Seth Bernard-Docker (University of Denver)
? Carson Dyck (Penn State University)
? Louis Jamernik (University of North Dakota)
? Dylan James (University of North Dakota)
? Zane Kindrachuk (Niagara University)
? Rieger Lorenz (University of Denver)
? Brayden Morrison (University of Wisconsin)
? Eric Parker (Bowling Green University)
? Bowden Singleton (University of North Dakota
? Coltan Wilkie (Colorado College)
