Virden Oil Capitals 2018-20192019-2020 HockeyHOCKEY CommunityCOMMUNITY mediaMEDIA GUIDEguide Virden Minor Hockey VCI Bears Westman wolverines VIRDEN OIL CAPITALS FOUNDATION The Virden Oil Capitals Foundation was established to support local grassroots programs and give back to the local surrounding communities. To date, the Oil Capitals Foundation has given over $400,000 to various groups as well as contributing to the scholarship program for players to take post- secondary classes while playing for the team. The organization is very proud of their involvement in the community, and look to continue to grow as they move forward into the 2019-2020 season. Thank you for supporting the Virden Oil Capitals Foundation. B WWW.OILCAPSHOCKEY.COM LEMRET OILFIELD RENTALS BOX 1996, VIRDEN, MANITOBA R0M 2C0 Test tank moving Drill collars OPERATIONS OFFICE MANAGER Light towers Casing scrapers 204.851.2774 (Garret) 204.851.6129 (Betty) Pipe-lifting trailers [email protected] OFFICE 204.855.2911 2019-2020 OIL CAPITALS MEDIA GUIDE 1 GREETINGS GREETINGS from the MJHL COMMISSIONER Welcome to another new season of Junior A hockey in Manitoba. The new MJHL season promises to be as unpredictable as ever, which always leads to great excitement and action for our loyal fans. Our game would not be as successful as it is without great young men who commit to the MJHL as the league where they will achieve their hockey development aspirations. We thank all of the players who dedicate themselves to the MJHL and its member clubs. It is the players who make our league great and the league exists to benefit its players as they pursue their dreams. As we strive to develop the best players, we understand that doing so takes much effort from a long list of supporters. These include dedicated team staff, game day volunteers, billet families, chaplains, corporate partners, fans, parents and many other supporters from across the province and other parts of Canada and the United States. On a personal note, this year will be my 18th as league Commissioner. The time seems to fly by, but I know that the league has grown immensely over the past two decades. I am looking forward with keen interest to see how this fantastic league continues to grow and lead the country by providing outstanding opportunities for players. As always, I am mindful that we are fortunate to be involved in a sport that ties our communities together whether they be within a province like Manitoba or as part of the broader hockey world outside of Manitoba. I hope you enjoy all that the MJHL and its members have to offer you this season. Sincerely, Kim Davis Commissioner Manitoba Junior Hockey League 2 WWW.OILCAPSHOCKEY.COM GREETINGS from the MJHL DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS It was another very exciting season in the MJHL as the parity within the League continues to grow creating an extremely competitive environment night in and night out for both the players and coaches which will only further benefit all involved in their continued development and growth. The talent level in the League right now is at an all-time high as we have seen an influx of talented and motivated young players over recent seasons which is very positive from a League development standpoint. This combination of skill and dedication within the MJHL is very evident and is something we are excited about as we move forward as an elite development option for both players and coaches. The MJHL in partnership with the SJHL, recently participated in the third annual MJHL | SJHL Player Showcase that took place in Regina, SK in January 2020. The Showcase featured the top 60 players from each league placed into three teams that are selected by the coaches from each league. One team is comprised of players who are 18 and under and two teams are made up of players who are 19 and 20 years of age. Each team in the event played two games and once again, the event was heavily attended by scouts from all levels and the MJHL players showcased themselves very well, winning four out of the six games. The MJHL is extremely excited about future events and the opportunity to further collaborate with the SJHL by showcasing the top players in our league which gives our players a chance to showcase their skills and abilities in an elite environment. These events, along with our annual Player Showcase held in the fall, our Prospect Development Camp held in summer, further add to the promotion and exposure capabilities that the MJHL provides players within the league. We are also very proud to be able to offer all MJHL players with the necessary resources and tools from both a safety and development standpoint. These include; mental health training and initiatives through our partnership with CMHA, enhanced concussion testing and protocols through our partnership with HeadCheck Health, online tutoring services through our partnership with GradeSlam, enhanced dental insurance in addition to the comprehensive coverage provided by the Hockey Canada national insurance program, substance and abuse seminars, strict disciplinary and education measures, high performance equipment partnership with CCM, HD online broadcasts through our partnership with HockeyTV, etc. Overall, from an operations standpoint, it is an exciting time in the MJHL moving forward, both on and off the ice, and we are excited for the continued growth of the MJHL in all areas. Obviously, it is disappointing how the playoffs came to an end this season but absolutely necessary considering the situation involving the COVID-19 pandemic. The health and safety of everyone involved in the MJHL community takes precedent over anything else we do and we will continue to follow and fully support the directives of Hockey Canada and the public health authorities as we navigate through this unprecedented time. That being said, the future is bright for the MJHL as we look forward to seasons ahead - Kevin Saurette 2019-2020 OIL CAPITALS MEDIA GUIDE 3 GREETINGS GREETINGS from the MAYOR OF VIRDEN On behalf of the Town of Virden, I would like to welcome all of you to our Community and to Tundra Oil & Gas Place. The Community of Virden is proud to be the home of the Virden Oil Capitals. From day one, the Oil Capitals organization has proven to be an outstanding supporter of our community, while providing exciting hockey action for all of their fans. Seeing the large crowd they draw to each and every game, makes me proud to be a volunteer for this organization. Virden is very fortunate to have such an outstanding group of talented young individuals wearing the Oil Caps jerseys representing our community at home and away! Go Caps Go!!! -Mayor Murray Wright 4 WWW.OILCAPSHOCKEY.COM GREETINGS GREETINGS from the VIRDEN OIL CAPITALS HOCKEY CLUB This has been another exciting season as we complete our 8th year in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League in 2019-20. Time flies when you’re having fun! This year consisted of both old and new faces to join our team! We have ten players who returned from last season, and the remainder were all fresh, young talent. We have succeeded with putting together an exciting team to watch in and night out throughout the winter. Our fans continue to be the best fans in the MJHL! Our average attendance is around 850 people per game. We are very lucky to have such energetic and dedicated fans to take time out of their busy schedules to come cheer us on! We continue to be blessed with great partners throughout the community of Virden and Western Manitoba who help make our organization so successful. Without our amazing partners and loyal fan base, we would not be as fortunate on or off the ice. Our Board of Directors is made up of 11 people, and we have numerous staff members who continue to make everything run so smoothly behind the scenes. Our players and staff are consistently dedicating their time volunteering in the community of Virden and surrounding area. We are always helping with events where needed, whether it’s food drives, Christmas cheer program, mentoring coaching with minor hockey, or visiting schools and daycares, we are always finding ways to give back to our loyal fans and community! Our hockey club is always initiating exciting game ideas for our fans such as; Teddy Bear Toss & Tin for the Bin, Hockey Fights Cancer, First Responders Night, Hockey Day in Virden, Hockey Card Night, Jersey Auctions and much, much more! This year, we held our 2nd Annual Ag Summit which proved to be another huge success. As a hockey club and organization, we will continue to strive for excellence and hope you continue with us on our journey as we fight towards a championship run in 2020. 2019-2020 OIL CAPITALS MEDIA GUIDE 5 OIL CAPITALS STAFF TYSON RAMSEY Head Coach and General Manager Tyson played four years in the MJHL with the Winkler Flyers before moving to Brandon to attend Brandon University where he played four seasons for the Brandon Bobcats of the CIS. After graduating with an education degree in 2000, he remained in Brandon to teach and played a number of seasons with the Tiger Hills Hockey League’s Souris Elks and four years with the Steinbach Northstars senior team, making an Allan Cup appearance in 2009. Tyson has been a coach with the Brandon AAA midget Wheat Kings, the AAA bantam Wildcats female program and does some scouting for the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL. JAMIE HODSON President Hodson was drafted in the third round, 69th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1998, while playing for the Brandon Wheat Kings and went on to play in the Maple Leafs farm system as well as winning gold medals with Team Canada in the 2002, 2003 Spengler Cup in Davos Switzerland.