The Okotoks Oilers will look bounce back from their 6-1 loss in Camrose Saturday when they welcome that same Kodiak team in their home-opener at Pason Centennial Arena Friday night.

The Kodiaks come into the game with a perfect 2-0 record while Oilers split their opening weekend at 1-1 with 2-1 against the Brooks Bandits last Friday.

Returning to the Oilers line-up on a already stacked defence corps is Travis Verveda who spent time with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League earlier this pre-season.

The Alix, Alta native says he's ready to help contribute to the Oilers.

"Definitely feeling more like a veteran and know a lot of the guys and stepping into more of a leadership role," he says. "I learned from Edmonton that nothing is given to you and you have no idea what's going to happen and things just happen out of no where so you just have to work hard at everything."

The last time Verveda faced the Kodiaks was last year's AJHL South Division Semi-Finals and says from looking at their depth chart, nothing has changed.

"They're a physical team, they've always been big so we have to be playing calm hockey and we're not getting scared or intimidated by their size especially for the d-men make we absorb the pressure, get the puck up quick and not getting hemmed in because of their size."

Verveda will join a crowed set of defencemen with Riley Mathies, Reece Soukoroff, Carson Beers, Jordan Davies along with newcomers Jacob Bernard-Docker, Ryan Roberts and Ayden Roche-Setoguchi and says there's a ton of potential protecting the Oilers net.

"We've got a lot of experience back there, a lot of AJHL games on that blue line. Definitely one of our strengths on this team and I think if we use that to our advantage I think we're going to be good."

The Oilers will have a couple other additions to the line-up Friday as forwards Jamie Ramin and Nicolas Romero will make their first appearance in an Oiler sweater.

The home-opener will feature a tailgate party with hotdogs courtesy of the Jay Magnussen Real Estate Team and a couple of silent auction items in support of Kidsport Okotoks.

You can catch the game live on The Eagle 100.9 starting with the pre-game show at 6:45 p.m. and puckdrop is 7 p.m.