Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – As the town was buzzing on Monday with the news that three former South Side Athletic Club (SSAC) Bantam AAA teammates were together on the Edmonton Oilers' active roster, Merritt Oszytko settled into his seat at Rogers Place with a bit more of a unique perspective than the average fan.
He was once their teammate, too.
The MacEwan Griffins forward played with James Hamblin, Stuart Skinner, and Tyler Benson on that powerhouse 2012-13 SSAC squad, which captured Alberta and Western Canada titles.
"That was pretty special," he said of watching Hamblin make his NHL debut and Skinner earn the win in goal. "It's pretty cool to see guys you played bantam hockey with are all playing for the same organization in the NHL. I don't think you see that very often."
While Benson didn't dress on Monday, all three were in the lineup as the Oilers visited Chicago on Wednesday night.
"Obviously, those three guys are great hockey players," said Oszytko. "Skinner, he's a great goalie. He's always calm in the net. I think that helps him stay poised. Benson and Hamblin both work hard and play pro style hockey. There's really no surprise that all three of those players are there. They've worked so hard and they're all very deserving of it."
Griffins forward Merritt Oszytko was a member of the same 2012-13 SSAC team as three Edmonton Oilers - Stuart Skinner, Tyler Benson and James Hamblin (SSAC photo).
With all three SSAC alumni playing on the Oilers, the memories came flooding back for Oszytko, who produced 16 points in 33 games as the 10th leading scorer on that 2012-13 squad.
"We had a lot of fun that year," he said. "We were the best team in the league, we were the best team in Western Canada. We won the Bantam AAA Western Canada trophy. That's the highest achievement you can get at the bantam age. It was just fun. It was such a good group of guys. It was just very special."
It's the team that keeps on giving as several players besides the Oilers trio have gone on to great things in their hockey careers, including assistant captain David Quenneville (currently playing in Sweden) and Nolan Yaremko, the reigning U SPORTS and Canada West player of the year with the Mount Royal University Cougars.
This weekend, Oszytko will go against two other alums from that squad – Matt Berlin and Josh Paterson – as MacEwan plays cross-town rival Alberta in a home-and-home series on Friday (7 p.m., Downtown Community Arena) and Saturday (7 p.m., Clare Drake Arena, both Canada West TV).
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"Me and Matt still stay in touch," said Oszytko of the Golden Bears goaltender who was Skinner's backup on the 2012-13 SSAC Lions and served as an Oilers' EBUG last season. "We were best friends on that (SSAC) team, so it's always fun playing against him. Josh is also a great player and a super nice kid – just does things the right way.
"It's really cool. I think we're going to have a couple laughs about it during the game."
This is the SSAC reunion tour, after all.
They might even get a few texts from the Oilers players, too.
"They're great human beings," said Oszytko. "I think that's also why they're in the NHL – if you're not a good person, you're not going to be there. I definitely still stay in touch with Benny. It's just pretty special to see those three are all on the same team now. It's pretty incredible."
Oszytko is a key veteran on the Griffins this season, playing in all situations. So far, he has two goals and six points in 10 games for MacEwan after transferring from RIT, where he logged 24 NCAA games over four seasons with the Tigers.
"He can be out when you're down five on six or he can be out when you're looking for a goal," said MacEwan interim head coach Zack Dailey. "He does absolutely everything for us. The thing I really like is he's very good person who fits into our culture and he's very willing to help the younger guys along as well.
"He finishes checks and blocks shots. He can play the skill game, as well. He's just an all-around very good player for us."
Merritt Oszytko (middle) celebrates with teammates Jordan Taupert, left, and Kole Gable after he set up Taupert for the opening goal in a 3-1 win over Saskatchewan on Nov. 11 (Joel Kingston photo).
Oszytko highlighted how much fun he's having playing for the Griffins this season. The young U SPORTS program in just its second season in the loop is starting to show shades of what made that SSAC team so successful.
"We were just so tight-knit," said Oszytko of the 2012-13 championship lineup. "Everybody wanted to win, and we would do whatever it took to achieve that.
"I can see it with our team now, too. Everybody wants to win. Last year was a bit difficult for the guys, but from what I've seen so far, everybody wants to win. It's just such a good group of guys. We have something special in the locker-room and we're eager to show it throughout the rest of the season."
Sitting just outside the Canada West playoff picture at 6-8-0, the Griffins are no pushovers for U SPORTS No. 4 Alberta (11-4-1), especially after beating them earlier this season.
"We're excited to play a team like U of A," said Oszytko. "I think it's a good test for us. We beat them earlier in the season, so we know we can beat these good teams. We've beaten the top teams in our league so far. We know we can do it.
"Going into the last game before Christmas break, there's nothing to save it for. It's an exciting weekend and we're excited to get going."
