FORT McMURRAY, AB (October 9, 2014) – The Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) have signed 1994-born forward and former Western Canada Cup champion Stefan Burzan (Surrey, BC), the team announced today.
Burzan, a 6’0”, 194-lb centre, comes to the Barons from the Coquitlam Express of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), where he had played in 4 games this year, registering 2 assists.
Prior to Coquitlam, Burzan split time between the Victoria Grizzlies of the BCHL and Okotoks Oilers of the AJHL, dressing in 30 total games in 2012-13.
The year prior, Burzan won the first Western Canada Cup with the then-BCHL champion Surrey Eagles, with whom he played in 70 total games, and appeared at the 2013 RBC Cup national championship, where the Eagles reached the national semi-final.
“I had talked to Coquitlam about a couple of players,” said Oil Barons head coach and general manager Curtis Hunt. “The necessity for an older centreman came to fruition early last week; that was a target of ours.”
“He fit a couple of bills,” said Hunt of the newest Baron. “He’s got experience in the Western Canada Cup, he’s got experience at a Royal Bank Cup with Surrey, he’s a guy who skates extremely well; he gets around the ice, he’s a big body, and he just comes with a tremendous attitude.”
Burzan is expected to make his Oil Barons debut this weekend when the MOB travels south for games against the Drumheller Dragons on Friday night, the Canmore Eagles on Saturday night, and the Calgary Mustangs on Sunday afternoon.
“The research I did on him with people in B.C. spoke very highly of him,” added Hunt. “It’s where he comes from, and his character, but also his work ethic; he’s a guy who’s going to stand up for his teammates, he’s going to play a 200-foot game, and all of those things are so important.”
“Sometimes we tend to think about goals and assists, but for me I think he’s the perfect player for what we need right now.”
The Oil Barons also today announced the release of 1996-born forward Taylor Hoedel (Regina, SK). Hoedel had dressed in 6 games for the Barons, registering two penalty minutes. The Oil Barons would like to thank Taylor for his service to the organization and wish him the best of luck in future.
Tickets are on sale for the Oil Barons’ next home game, hosting the first place team in the AJHL, the Camrose Kodiaks, on Friday, October 17th at 8:00 PM. They are available at the Casman Centre box office, by phone at 780 743 5509, or online at tickets.oilbarons.com.
