We’re now 12 games into the Edmonton oil Kings second full season at Rogers Place, and for the most part things have gone as planned for the young club. With a record of 4-6-2, Edmonton currently sits third in the Central with ten points, one up on Kootenay, and two up on the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Initial projections saw the Oil Kings finishing anywhere from last place to second in the division as many had expected the Medicine Hat Tigers to take the division title. So far they are on the right track with a record of 5 wins and 3 losses. With many teams still figuring out what they have to work with this season, the playoff picture remains wide open.
The most noticeable change to the Edmonton roster from last season is the youth movement in all three positions. Highly touted ‘01 prospects Boston Bilous (G), Matthew Robertson (LD), and Liam Keeler (LW) have all found their way onto the roster, and are now beginning to develop and are becoming more accustomed to the WHL. Bilous has seen a decent amount of games considering his age; starting in two games and earning fifty-five stops over just under 160 minutes of play. Matthew Robertson is still adjusting to the WHL game, but is mature beyond his years and in many aspects has already adopted traits which will make him a very good defender down the line. Former SSAC forward Liam Keeler has earned his way into eight games this season, playing a fourth line role both at center and the wing with a variety of teammates, but most recently the late-born ‘00 David Kope formerly of CAC who has demonstrated some good raw talent and may be a guy who Keeler moves forward with next season and onward.
Up front, Trey Fix-Wolansky leads the offensive charge with 6-10-16 over the 12 game stretch, followed up by fellow Oilers rookie camp invite Davis Koch, who has recorded 5-6-11. The Oil Kings addition of 20 year old former Kelowna Rocket Tomas Soustal was a big get for the young club as he’s managed to help out with eight assists over his seven game course in Edmonton, and has added some balance within the top six. Draft eligible forward Brett Kemp opened his season well, currently sitting with four goals and four assists and leading the way on the second line at center. 2014 first round selection Kobe Mohr is having a bit of his own coming out party as he has begotten things going offensively with eight points on the year, and has more confidently assumed the role of the pest.
Defensively the Oil Kings are young, consisting mainly of 17 and 18-year-old defenders. Vegas Knights camp invite Will Warm had a good start to the year evidently playing with more confidence and getting it done on the scoresheet with 7 points thus far. Draft eligible Ethan Cap didn’t have the strongest start to the season, but as of late seems to be playing with much more confidence and placing an emphasis on becoming a balanced defender.
Travis Child has shown glimpses of brilliance in the crease, but has been fairly inconsistent to start the season. He currently sits with a 4.47 GAA and .860 save percentage. Child being one of the three 20-year-olds on the roster will surely have a big role in developing the Kings’ crown jewel Boston Bilous before he takes over the crease full time next season.
Edmonton has an interesting mix this season featuring young offensive minded forwards who can wheel, and as chemistry begins to develop we could see them start picking up points along the way. However, this is in a lot of ways a developmental season for the club, with their eyes on the 2018-19 playoffs in which they could potentially make a long run. That being said, we’re seeing a lot of positive signs and will have to be patient because this could be a very special group down the road.
The Kings are in Edmonton for their next five games and will face off against two American opponents in the Yamamoto-less Spokane Chiefs, as well as last year’s WHL champion Seattle Thunderbirds. The next game is Friday night as the always entertaining Prince George Cougars come to town for a 7 PM puck drop
