Second half begins for Oil Kings 

Posted on January 8, 2026 by Taber Times

By Cole Parkinson
Taber Times

The New Year is here, and Taber Oil Kings teams are preparing for a busy end to the Central Alberta Hockey League (CAHL) regular season.

U11 Tier 3

To begin 2026, it was a two-game weekend for the U11 Tier 3 squad. On Saturday, the Oil Kings were on the road as they matched up against Irvine. Six goals across the first two periods propelled Taber to a 6-1 victory. Ethan Ausmus had a hat trick for Taber, Seth Denny netted two goals, Dirk Devries had a single, and Dreyton Kinniburgh and Vaughn Emelson each had one assist. Avi Rex was in between the pipes for Taber and made 19 saves on 20 shots.

The weekend wrapped up with a game against Raymond on Sunday. This time, the opposition was able to edge out a 9-5 win. Denny had two more goals, Ausmus, Devries, and Jace Perini had the other goals, and Kinniburgh notched one more assist. Rex was back in net and made 20 saves on 29 shots.

Next weekend sees one game on the schedule as the team heads to Rolling Hills to take on Brooks at 11 a.m.

U11 Tier 5

The U11 Tier 5 Oil Kings started the year with two games. On Saturday, they were out in Tilley to face Brooks Red. Taber scored often and skated to a 13-2 win. Cooper Feldbusch and Jovian Beebe each had a hat trick and an assist for Taber, Finnley Olson scored twice and added two assists, Mya Brian had a goal and an assist, and Luke Kramer collected two assists. Rory Nagai, Joel Visser, Sebastian Woordman-Reimer, and Kyden Allred all scored, and Levi Spengler notched an assist. Zayne Cody started in net and made 16 saves on 18 shots.

Sunday saw the team back out in Tilley as they took on Brooks Blue. Both sides scored plenty of goals, but Taber was able to carve out a 9-8 victory. Feldbusch had another hat trick and added two assists, Braun scored two and had an assist, Nagai hit the back of the net twice, Allred had two assists, Olson and Visser scored, and Tommi Stang had an assist. Cody was back between the pipes and made 32 saves on 40 shots.

The U11 Tier 5 team now prepares for a single-game weekend. On Saturday, they head to Vauxhall as they take on Bow Island at 11 a.m.

U13

It was a two-game schedule to open 2026 for the U13 Oil Kings. First up was a visit to Raymond that saw Taber play as the home team. A late Raymond goal sunk Taber 4-3. Ryden Baker, Cooper Ross, and Arlo Van Geest had the Taber goals while Luke Engwer, Nate Antosko, and Chason Sekura all had one assist. Rhett Wright made the start in net and had 30 saves on 34 shots.

Sunday was a road game for the Oil Kings as they took on Foothills. The home team battled back in the third period, and the game ended tied 4-4. Engwer had a goal and an assist for Taber, Baker, Ross, and Sekura had the other goals, and Van Geest contributed with an assist. Kohen Ilczynski was in net and made 15 saves on 19 shots.

The U13s now prepare for a single game this weekend. On Saturday, they are on the road to play Magrath at 4:30 p.m.

U15

The U15s got back into game action this past weekend with a pair of games. On Saturday, they were out in Vauxhall as High Country came to town. Taber was unable to keep High Country off the board as they fell 7-2. Logan Rabusic had both Taber goals as Mitchell Kimoto and Baron Stang had an assist each. Aidyn Arnel-Derksen was in net and made 39 saves on 46 shots.

Sunday’s game saw Taber head out on the road to face Lethbridge Red.

This weekend sees one game on tap for the U15s. On Saturday, they are on the road to take on Kainai at 4:30 p.m.

U18

The U18 Oil Kings eased into the New Year with a single home game on Saturday. Picture Butte came to Vauxhall Saturday afternoon, and Taber was able to secure a 4-2 win. Julian Woordman had three points (1G, 2A) while Lincoln Wiebe scored twice, Konnor Wiebe had a single tally, and Tate Nakashima, Carter Kerkhoff, and Kellon Schalk all had an assist. Avery Remfert got the start in net and made 29 saves on 31 shots.

Next action for the U18s comes this weekend when they have three games on tap. Friday is a road game against Kainai at 6 p.m., while Saturday sees the Oil Kings on the road against Magrath at 6:15 p.m. The weekend wraps up on Sunday when the Oil Kings take on Pincher Creek in Raymond at 2 p.m.