After a significant turnover in the roster from 2019, the Okotoks Oilers needed somebody to step up and help fill the void left by the likes of Dylan Holloway (University of Wisconsin), Austin Wong (Harvard University), and Quinn Olson (University of Minnesota-Duluth).
The man that took that opportunity and ran with it was the second-year forward Jack Works.
In 2019, his first season with the Oilers, the Yellowknife native played a depth role with a team and put together a strong campaign with 18 goals and 29 points in 56 games. What happened in the 2020 season came as a pleasant surprise.
Works proved to the league that he was a number one centreman and should be in the same category as the elites like Arjun Atwal, Ryan Peckford, and Alex Young. The Oilers forward smashed his offensive numbers from his rookie year scoring 43 goals and 92 points in just 58 games. Those 43 goals set a new record for the most goals, set by Johnny McInnis in 2010. Carter Savoie was also the only player in the AJHL to score more goals than him (53).
Works further showcased his improvement finishing 5th in league scoring and had the highest Oilers points total in franchise history passing Holloway who hit 88 the year before.
After such an incredible season, Works caught the attention of many NCAA scouts. In December of 2019, he committed to the University of Denver for the 2021-22 season.
Now the big question: How will Works’ next season go?
With a bunch of great players around him and returning to the Oilers, it Works has the potential to not only surpass the 100 point mark but also the 50 goal tally.
The expectations will be much higher for the superstar forward, but 2020-21 season should be another exciting one for the Works and his Okotoks Oilers.
