Since the last Oil Kings report I put out, the team has been busy in both acquiring players and with there schedule play. Edmonton currently sits second in the Central division, behind the Red Deer Rebels by only two points, after going 7-1-1-1 in there last ten games. Bouncing back from there rocky American road trip in October and finding their groove again like they did in the 5-0 start this season. The team’s depth has been a key contributor to the team’s early success, with ten players over double digits in points.
Trey Fix-Wolansky continues to be the catalyst for this team’s offensive success. Fix-Wolansky was selected to partake in this years WHL versus Russia game, he finished off with one assist in the two games. Wolansky also leads the WHL in scoring with 46 points in 24 games this season, passing Prince Albert Raider Brett Leason earlier this month. Fix-Wolansky has continued to be that slick puck possessive forward, but his contributions to his own end have gone under the radar as Fix-Wolansky has seen time on the team’s penalty killing units and is showing more urgency in his defensive efforts. As of right now, Fix-Wolansky may be the frontrunner for MVP in the WHL.
The Oil King’s made two acquisitions to their roster since my last report, listing and dressing Zach Russell from the Calgary Canucks and trading for 1999-born defenseman Parker Gavlas from the Regina Pats. Russell spent last season with the Calgary Canucks where he potted 36 points and 212 penalty minutes in 43 AJHL games, Russell made his debut with the Oil Kings in a 3-1 loss to the Kelowna Rockets last Saturday. Gavlas was acquired on November 9th by the Oil Kings from the Regina Pats in exchange for an eighth round selection in the 2019 WHL Draft. Gavlas has suited up in 12 games this season with the Regina Pats and has suited up in the last four games for the Oil Kings.
Edmonton had two 16-year-olds chosen for the World U17’s championship this past month. Jake Neighbours and Sebastian Cossa both suited up for Canada White, Neighbours being named the captain for the team and finished tied for seventh in tournament scoring. Cossa made two starts for Canada White, he was recently sent down to the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers Midget AAA’s.
In the Oil King’s prospect system:
Top Prospect Dylan Guenther was recently called up for two games with the club, Guenther currently has 29 points in 14 games with the NAX Midget Preps. Injured right now but Guenther is expected to return soon.
Recent viewing of Guenther from DraftGeek.ca :
Oct 20th (Midget Prep) – “Guenther looks much stronger than he did last year, filling out a bit with his lower body and displaying a more powerful stride than we saw last season. Guenther’s defensive work ethic still is in question for me but the offensive tenacity is starting to come around more as he works hard to regain puck possession in close proximity. Didn’t show up on the score sheet or generate much offensive opportunities. Instead displayed more of an edge to his game and complimentary role. Guenther is a player who I would describe as more quantitative as when you talk about his game, offensive production is a key thing you mention.”
Tyler Horstmann got called up for three with the club, the 16-year-old forward scored his first WHL goal in that span. Horstmann sits third on Delta Midget Prep scoring with 18 points in 14 games this season.
Keagan Slaney was also called up to the team for a short period of time, Slaney is also in the CSSHL Midget Preps with the Edge Academy. Currently has eight points in 15 games, Slaney looked very good in his time with the Oil Kings.
Recent Viewings of Slaney from DraftGeek.ca:
Oct 20th (Midget Prep) – “Keagan Slaney (Edmonton Oil Kings) – Slaney stuck to a stay at home style of game, still able to manage the game from the back end with good anticipation and intuitive angles to apply pressure. Slaney’s much stronger on his feet than he was last year and efficient with how much physical work load he takes. Relying more on footwork and escapability in his defensive retrievals rather than taking the hit. His defensive zone game is still a key asset, Slaney has a heavy stick and use it and a hard working attitude to create turnovers along the wall in his defensive zone. Still a learning process for Slaney but he’s starting to pick up on things much better than he did previously.”
Oct 27th (WHL) – “Keagan Slaney (2021 NHL Draft) – Slaney made his WHL Debut as a 15-year-old. Slaney played a normal shift through a majority of the game. At first he was quite tentative and timid with the puck, had a few costly turnovers but recovered well. Noticed his decisions with the puck were good, the execution he struggled with at times but all in all it seemed like he knew what he was doing. Held his own physically and had no issue sliding by bigger players and escaping hits.”
Edmonton’s next game is in Brandon against the Wheat Kings, Brandon currently sits third in the Eastern Division with a record of 10-5-3-3. The Oil Kings next home game is on Wednesday November 28th against the best team in the CHL in the Prince Albert Raiders who currenly sit at 20-1-0-0.
