2024-2025 BB - U18 B/BB (2007-2008) | Mar 03, 2025 | Rich Palser | 1743 views
Oaktown's Graduating Players
There are a total of 12 2007 born players who will be graduating from the Oakridge Aeros competitive program this year.
Congrats to the following players (from left to right in the picture):
Kevin Highley
Kevin Jang
Brady Milne
Kaleb Oudekerk
Reid Palser
Merryck Jacklin-De-Tibeiro
Jordan Howes
Kaeden Chortos
Ben Ferguson
Spyro Lerikos
Nick Petruzella
Ethan Howard
All of these players began their minor hockey journey in the Oakridge Tyke (IP) & Novice (U8/U9) programs with many going on to play various levels before returning HOME to finish their minor hockey careers. They are not only exceptional hockey players but more importantly exceptional people who have made Oakridge Hockey, their coaches & their parents proud. Shoutout to Brady Milne who has been the backbone of the MD/BB program from Novice (U8) to U18. Brady has been the ultimate teammate over his years as an Oaktown player & will make a fantastic Aeros coach one day just like his Dad.
Not pictured are the graduating coaches (Rich Palser, Jeff Petruzella, Jamie Howes & Kirby Oudekerk). I would also like to mention Kristi Howard who was our team manager at the beginning of our journey in Novice (U8/9) & at the end now in U18. You have all made an incredible impact on so many lives over the years & we will be forever grateful for what you have done for our Oakridge hockey family.
For those reading this with younger players & thinking you have all the time in the world to enjoy it, let me tell you that you do not. IP to U18 happens in a blink of an eye. Enjoy every moment even the losses. Don't sweat the small stuff like ice time or getting cut from teams. None of it really matters in the end. If you're lucky enough they'll all end up back at Oakridge in U18 with their friends. Enjoy the car rides with your kids even to practices, life experiences like tourneys in Niagara Falls & the time spent with friends who become family. You'll wish you had more time when it all comes to an end I promise.
I know the '08 players & incoming '09 players will continue on the strong tradition of Oaktown Hockey.
Go Aeros!
Coach Rich