An Okotoks Oiler is the AJHL's Rookie of the Year.

Rieger Lorenz was awarded the Dick White Trophy in the league's 2021-2022 awards.

The University of Denver commit has had an outstanding season, with 38 goals and 47 assists over 60 games, breaking a few team records in the process.

The 17-year-old forward was thrilled, especially considering his competition, with fellow nominees including TJ Hughes of the Brooks Bandits, Tyler Wallace of the Fort McMurray Oil Barons, and Caiden Gault of the Spruce Grove Saints.

"I was super excited, there are obviously a lot of good players in the league, so to be recognized as the top member of that group was super exciting," says Lorenz.

He's the second Okotoks Oiler to receive the honour, the first being Corban Knight after the 2008-2009 season, when he accumulated 34 goals and 38 assists over 61 games.

Knight just represented Canada in the 2022 Winter Olympics in February.

It's a big notch in Lorenz's belt, one he'll be taking with him as the Oilers continue in a fierce playoff season.

"I put in a lot of work this off-season, and hopefully we can end the season on a good note here in the playoffs... we're feeling good, the team is playing a really solid game right now, feeling good coming from this series moving into the next series, we're excited."