2024-2025
VERNAL OILERS RECRUITING
Do you have what it takes to compete at the Junior "A" level of hockey? Do you have the desire to pursue a future as a hockey player at the highest possible levels? If so, The Vernal Oilers might be a fit for you!
Read below to learn what our program can offer an aspiring collegiate or professional hockey player. From coaching staff, to exposure, to the facilities we play in, your time with the Vernal Oilers will develop the skills and habits necessary to pursue a career as a hockey player in some of North America's most respected leagues.
HOCKEY OPERATIONS
The Oilers staff is arguably one of the most impressive in the USPHL. With experience coaching and managing at the professional, junior and college levels, players in Vernal will benefit greatly from the experience of our staff and the opportunities presented to them after their time in Vernal.
PROGRAM DETAILS
SCHEDULE
- The Oilers will play an approximate 40 game regular season schedule throughout the pacific northwest.
- The Oilers will also attend USPHL showcases in various locations.
- The Oilers practice on ice 4-5 times per week, with regular off ice workouts and strength training sessions scheduled during the week.
LEAGUE AFFILIATION
The United States Premier Hockey League of 2020-2021 will be the nation’s largest amateur ice hockey league and the only league to span the continental United States and parts of Canada. The USPHL will field approximately 550 teams representing over 100 organizations comprised of 11,000 players spanning the AGES OF 6-20. Overall, across all of its divisions, the USPHL had more than 1,200 alumni playing college hockey in 2019-20 and more than 250 playing pro hockey, including in the NHL.
PROGRAM AFFILIATIONS
The Oilers have an extensive network within the NAHL, NCDC, and Canadian Jr. "A" hockey and actively promote our players for advancement opportunities. Unlike other teams at this level, we will sacrifice the team's success in order to get our players opportunities to further their career.
TRAVEL
The Oilers own a 56 passenger coach bus, and will utilize it for travel within the western United States. Travel to any USPHL showcases outside of our region will be done via commercial airlines. Travel costs including hotel lodging, pre and post game meals, snacks and entertainment are included in the player's tuition cost for the season.
GYM
The Oilers have a sponsorship with a local gym, Anytime Fitness, that allows the team to utilize the facility for regular team in-season workouts. Players are offered full, complimentary memberships as a member of the Oilers.
APPAREL/EQUIPMENT
- Players will be provided with New Balance and Warrior team gloves, helmets, sweat suit, pullover, backpack, workout apparel, hats and pant shells
- Warrior sticks and equipment is available to Oilers players at exclusive discounts typically only available to NCAA and professional teams.
InSTAT
The Vernal Oilers utilize the InStat system to break down and analyze game film with our players. InStat is a statistical analytics platform that provides video analytics, analysis, and statistical data services for hockey teams around the world.
The InStat Hockey platform is used by league and federation offices, coaches, scouts and management as a data and communication tool for coaching, player development, statistical analysis and scouting purposes. At the team level, coaches and players can receive detailed game-by-game analytical reports, statistical breakdowns, and emailed links, all corresponding to relevant video. This technology also greatly enhances our ability as an organization to use stats, analytics and video to market our players to tier 2, college and professional teams.
TEAM ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2022 CAJHL RUNNER-UP
- 2022 CAJHL LEAGUE MVP (Artur Aloyan)
- 2023 USPHL SINGLE SEASON POINT RECORD (Alex Bartakovics, 121 Points)
- 2023 USPHL NORTHWEST DIVISION CHAMPIONS
- 2024 USPHL NORTHWEST DIVISION CHAMPIONS
ALUMNI
We pride ourselves on advancement. In our inaugural season of play, the Vernal Oilers promoted eight players to either professional or collegiate hockey, with several more expected to find homes at higher levels of junior hockey. While other organizations at this level emphasize winning, we are willing to go the extra mile to find opportunities at higher levels for our players.
- 2021/22 Advancements (13): NCAA D3 (2), ACHA (5), Canadian Univ (1), Professional (5)
- 2022/23 Advancements: NCAA D3 (2), ACHA (5), Professional (6), NCDC Tenders (8)
- 2023/24 Advancements: NCAA D3 (1), ACHA (2), IIHF National Team Selections (3), NCDC Promotions (4), NCDC Tenders (1)
HOME ARENA
The Vernal Oilers are proud to call the Western Park Arena home. The arena is currently in the process of undergoing a $7 Million+ renovation that includes the construction of a new Oilers locker room, complete with storage and office space; additional seating; and upgrades to the concession and box office areas.
The Western Park Complex is located on thirty-two acres in downtown Vernal. The multipurpose facility houses a convention center, two indoor arenas, two outdoor arenas, amphitheater, ice rink and race track. It is home to the Uintah County Fair, Uintah Basin Junior Livestock Show, Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo, Tournament of Champions High School Wrestling Tournament and many more state and county annual events.
With seating for 300 fans, Oilers players can expect to play every night in front of a near capacity crowd that will surely provide one of the best home ice advantages in the entire USPHL.
Plans Presented On Western Park Ice Rink Major Facelift And Upgrade
The Western Park Ice Rink is getting a major facelift and upgrade to its facility. Western Park’s Melanie Silcox presented the latest with the project during the Vernal Chamber luncheon on Tuesday. “Most know that the east side is our main entrance and it’s not very friendly as far as entering in,” shared Silcox. In fact, many visitors have to call and ask where the entrance even is! The remodel will fix that as there will be a nice new front entrance added on and the parking lot will be repaired and updated as well. The major addition will be added on the west side of the building, extending the building by 35 feet towards the amphitheater. This space will add multiple locker rooms, with showers that the facility currently has none of, storage rooms, and some multi-use rooms primarily for Outlaw Trail Theatre. Silcox explains that there has been tremendous growth in the local hockey programs and there was a huge need for this upgrade. Ventilation will be added to the building which opens up possibilities for building use during the summer off-season.
COMMUNITY
The Oilers have won the hearts of Vernal residents. From appearances at local restaurants and city council, to regularly being asked for autographs, Oilers players have become icons in the local community and are idolized by young fans throughout the Uintah Basin.
CHARITY
The Oilers regularly participate in events during the course of the season that help bring awareness to charitable causes, social interests, or certain groups directly tied to the Uintah Basin. In 2022/23, the Oilers participated in:
- Suicide awareness walk and "skate with the Oilers" in conjunction with Ashley Valley Amateur Hockey (AVAHA).
- Hockey Fights Cancer game and jersey auction that raised $5,000 for Keeping Love In Communities (KLIC), an organization that provides transport for Uintah Basin residents undergoing cancer treatments in the Salt Lake Valley.
- Teddy Bear toss in conjunction with the Uintah County Sheriff's Department to provide toys for children in need during the holidays.
- AVAHA night and jersey auction that raised $5,000 to provide scholarships for local youth hockey players who can't afford equipment and/or fees.
- 23/24 Promo nights included AVAHA night, Autism Awareness Night, Cancer Awareness Night, and Military appreciation night, raising thousands of dollars that were donated towards charitable causes.
"Meeks billet family here! I'm Lorie, my husband is Greg and we have a son, decided to be a billet on a whim. I just filled out the form and then the boys started showing up… I honestly didn’t even know how it worked! I hadn’t watched a hockey game since my undergrad days (over a decade ago) and had certainly never experienced the joy of having my own player on the ice! Hockey was the only sport Greg wasn’t obsessed with (he doesn’t like to be cold,) but, after those first two boys showed up, they won our hearts and we have been hooked! At one point in the season, we had 7 players staying with us and we have enjoyed practically every minute. Some of our favorite memories have been made around the kitchen table after games. Hearing the recap of what happened on the ice from the players’ perspective as endless plates of food are consumed. As a family we have also enjoyed inviting the players along for family traditions, horseback rides, ATV rides, and just about every other place we can find some adventure. We have basically dedicated our basement apartment to hockey life and while we are sad to see our current billets advance to different leagues and go home for some quality family time during the off-season, we are already excited for new experiences and next season."
- Meeks Family, 2021-22 Billets
TESTIMONIALS
"Playing for the Oilers surrounded me with likeminded players and staff who shared the same drive to reach the next level and the passion to have fun while doing it."
- Jackson Cole, Newark, DE (2021-22)
"I had great junior hockey experience in Vernal Oilers! Vernal is small town, but it’s very nice because of its people, I felt their support every time I was stepping on the ice in Vernal jersey! Billet families in vernal are amazing, I felt like home coming back from all the practices and games. Ownership and coaching are working everyday to provide players to the next level, and my story in Vernal is a great example of it! I can 100% say that playing for Vernal Oilers is absolute pleasure and I have been enjoying being there every single day here !"
- Artur Aloyan, Omsk, Russia (2021-22)
"If I could do it all over again, i’d come to Vernal and never leave!"
- Gabe Testa, Las Vegas, NV (2021-22)
"Vernal was the best junior experience I have had. The community is welcoming and the atmosphere for home games is amazing. Plus they make it a point to get players to the next level."
- Cole Manahan, Duluth, MN (2021-22)
"Going to Vernal and playing for the Vernal Oilers was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Coach Ryan Howse and GM David Imonti have created a disciplined and well run winning program with a family like team culture. I am honored to be a Vernal Oilers alumni and I feel truly blessed to have made life long friends in Vernal."
- Wes Sowell, Holly Springs, NC (2023-24)