The Man behind the Mask: An Elliot Okland Tale
January 30, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Fargo-Moorhead Jets News Release
(Fargo, ND) Far and few men can call the crease their home but Elliot Okland has been doing it for years.
Elliot first starting manning the pipes back at the tender age of 10 and never looked back unless the puck is behind the net. After joining hockey, Elliot has been intrigued of being a defensive presence back in his cage. Of all the positions on the ice why a goalie?
"I like the pressure of knowing that you control the game on the defensive end because turning aside big shots sends a message to my team that we can do this so let's go!"
"Since I came to the Jets in the 2004-2005 season when I was only 16 and I have learned that I can't get down on myself because there are a lot of highs and lows of Jr. Hockey," explains Okland.
With junior hockey picking up kids at young ages, Elliot was tabbed when he was still in high school at Fargo North. Being just a sophomore and leaving his boys to play juniors was definitely a bold step for him. He's one of many guys around the country that leave their high school team every day to be apart of an elite group.
Of all the guys he has played with defenseman Brandon Bukowski (Superior, WI), forward Andrew Harrison (Temperance, MI) and forward Kai Kantola (Raleigh, NC) stand out the most in his mind. Bukowski actually houses with Elliot so that friendship has blossomed on and off the ice.
During the course of his playing day he's been to Montana, Alaska, Minnesota, Iowa, and Michigan. He has been everywhere man. Life on the road can be tough because juggling school, life, work and hockey takes its toll on everyone. One specific trip sticks out the most for Elliot.
"I remember when we went to Alaska to play and just the whole getting there and surviving was my favorite trip," shivers Okland.
This is the last season for Okland and he has been called on to lead to team to the playoffs. Elliot has seen his fair share of games from the bench backing up Andy Stricker (Mount Lake Terrace, WA) and Dan DiLeo (St. Louis, MO) during the title run while sharing time with Austin Lee (Bloomington, MN) last year. Lee is now a red-shirt freshman at the Minnesota State-Mankato.
"It's been a roller coaster ride thus far and when we've needed him to keep us in games he has done just that," states coach Kinslow.
On the season Okland has played in 29 games posting a 10-16-1 with a 3.12 GAA and has gloved a .912 save percentage. He also backstopped his first shut out of the season in Bismarck on New Year's Eve, 6-0.
The FM Jets Junior A Hockey Club is in its fifth season as members of the North American Hockey League. The NAHL is the nation's largest Junior A hockey league and is now in its 32nd year of operation. For more information, visit fmjets.com or call (701) 235-2354.
Jets home games are played at the John E. Carlson Coliseum in Fargo, ND. All games are broadcasted on fmjets.com and video broadcast through B/2 Network.
North American Hockey League Stories from January 30, 2008
- Bobcats vs Express this weekend - Bismarck Bobcats
- The Man behind the Mask: An Elliot Okland Tale - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
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