While reflecting on a successful WHL career is always something to celebrate, what a player does beyond those years should never be overlooked either.
The Edmonton Oil Kings have an endless list of outstanding alumni, many of which have furthered their hockey careers after major junior. You can put former Oil Kings forward Brandon Baddock on that list as well.
He has signed a deal with the Stanley Cup Final-bound Montreal Canadiens of the NHL.
Baddock, 26, put ink to a one-year, two-way deal with the Habs. Originally, he was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the sixth round, 161 overall in the 2014 NHL Draft.
At the height of his career in the WHL, Baddock was an intimidatingly tough customer who never shied away from the rough stuff. He played with a lot of grit, power, and passion in his game during his time as an Oil King. He won a Memorial Cup and WHL championship in five seasons with Edmonton.
Baddock played 255 games in an Oil Kings uniform and recorded 103 points and 480 penalty minutes. His best season came in 2015-16, where he truly blossomed into an effective power forward. He played in 68 games and scored 22 goals. That season also happened to be an epic culmination of his WHL tenure, as he was named the ninth captain in Oil Kings’ history.
Ready for action
Now, we begin the countdown to October. There is much work and preparation to be done for every team to be ready for the highly anticipated 2021-22 WHL season.
The Oil Kings have made it known that they plan to welcome fans back to Rogers Place in October when the WHL season kicks off in full force, after spending an entire season in a fan-less Downtown Community Arena in Edmonton. This announcement surely is music to the ears of many passionate hockey fans craving the feeling of being in a buzzing arena atmosphere again.
The team will take on their rival of the south, the Red Deer Rebels, in a thrilling Friday night matchup on October 1st at Rogers Place. It will be like seeing a unicorn when fans pack the crown jewel of downtown Edmonton for the first time in over a year. If you thought the 2019-20 shortened season was different, just wait until October rolls around.
Like reuniting with an old friend you haven’t seen in years, the welcoming of fans for 2021-22 is going to be a one-of-a-kind experience packed with raw energy for the ages.
