The Alberta Junior Hockey League has been on pause since the abrupt ending to the 2019-20 playoffs in March due to COVID-19.

Since the pause, the Okotoks Oilers and the rest of the AJHL have played the waiting game for when the 2020-21 season would begin.

While the Oilers wait, they have been busy with their development season. 

Oilers Business Operations member Kyle Schussler says the AJHL has made it easy for the league to play it by ear.

"The league has scheduled everything where they can adjust as need be, they did a great job with the scheduling and we are hoping that within the next month or two we can start to figure out what exhibition (games) will look like and get some competitive play back in. Its a wait and see for now and hopefully, all goes well."

Schussler says for now, the development season has gone well.

"It's great to have the guys back on the ice and at least practicing and have the ability to work on some skills."

Returning Oiler from last year Brady Parker, says it's been great to just get back out and skate with the team again.

"It's been fun, its definitely different than hopping into the season, but it's been nice to get back on the ice with the guys again, we are really excited and are looking forward to some exhibition games soon and then getting into the regular season."

Parker says they feel they have some unresolved issues from last year.

"We have a lot of the same guys coming back and feel we have some unfinished business from last year so we're hoping to pick back up from where we left off."

The Oilers finished last season with 98 points and a 47-7-4 record finishing second overall in the league to the Sherwood Park Crusaders.