The Edmonton Oil Kings have been busy. Recently the organization finalized WHL Standard Player Agreements with six new players. Oil Kings General Manager Kirt Hill is really shoring up his prospect pool. Last season was cut short for many minor hockey players due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the average WHL prospect returning to their minor hockey team in 2020-21, it surely was a difficult challenge to not have a full season of development.
But the shortened season clearly made no difference to their hunger and drive as each of these players impressed Hill.
The newest Oil King additions
John Szabo is a forward born in 2005. He was drafted in the sixth round, 111th overall by the Oil Kings in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft. He played five games for the Lethbridge Hurricanes U18 AAA team in 2020-21 and recorded five points.
Ben Wright, born in 2005, was taken in the 10th round, 218th overall in 2020 by the Oil Kings. He plays forward. In 2019-20, Wright played for Shawinigan Lake School U15 Prep and scored 47 points in 30 games.
Carter Kowalyk, born in 2005, is a defenceman who played last season for Northern Alberta U16 Prep and mustered one point in three games. He also played one game for Northern Alberta Elite 15s and had one point. Kowalyk has a large frame, standing six foot three, and was drafted in the fourth round, 86th overall by the Oil Kings in 2020.
Eric Johnston, born in 2004, is a defenceman from Regina, Saskatchewan who last played for the Regina Pat Canadians U18 AAA team in 2020-21. He recorded four points in seven games and was drafted by the Oil Kings in the sixth round, 126th overall in 2020.
Braeden Wynne, born in 2004, is a defenceman who played for the Burnaby Winter Club U18 Prep team in 2020-21. He appeared in four games and had one point.
Alex Worthington, born in 2005, is a goaltender who was drafted in the fifth round, 108th overall by the Oil Kings in 2020. He comes to the organization from the Warman Wildcats AAA program.
This is certainly a successful day for the franchise. The Oil Kings have added more organizational depth to their arsenal as a result. There are diamonds in the rough everywhere and the team very well could have more than a couple here. Time will tell.
