A flurry of good news swept through northern Alberta today as the Edmonton Oil Kings announced that star forward Dylan Guenther has been named to Hockey Canada’s National Men’s U18 roster for the IIHF U18 World Championships. Guenther was also named WHL Player of the Month for February/March 2021.
Big news for Guenther
This type of news is no surprise for a player of Guenther’s calibre as it is all part of the process of being a top prospect. He is projected to be a high-end first-round pick for the upcoming 2021 NHL Draft.
Guenther is off to a tremendous start this WHL season as he has 18 points in his first nine games. The Oil Kings are powering through the schedule as they currently sit comfortably atop the Central Division standings with a 9-1 record and 18 points.
The team is very deep with talent as we know, but it sure helps to have a superstar like Guenther at the helm of your team’s top line.
He is a special player who is just getting his career started. He has incredible vision on the ice and is such a fast and smooth skater. Seeing his quick-release shot from up close is a revelation. He knows how to pick corners and set up highlight-reel plays. Oil Kings General Manager Kirt Hill has done a marvelous job in putting together a strong, cohesive team around Guenther. There is great chemistry on every line.
Guenther is tied for second in the WHL scoring race. He sits only one point behind Regina Pats rookie sensation Connor Bedard, who has 19 points.
For Guenther, he has another opportunity to shine on an international stage for Team Canada. The last time he played for his country was in 2019-20 for Team Canada White U17. He scored three goals in six games at that tournament.
Surely, he will put on a show amongst all the other talented hockey players at the U18 tournament this year and continue to increase the stock of his draft status.
Oil Kings bring two young players aboard
The Oil Kings had more exciting news to share as GM Kirt Hill announced the addition of two new players to their roster. 16-year-old forward Dawson Seitz, the team’s 20th overall selection in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft, comes to Edmonton from Northern Alberta U18 Prep. Seitz has played in three games this season at the minor hockey level and scored one point.
17-year-old forward Shea Van Olm was a teammate of Seitz at Northern Alberta U18 Prep and joins the Oil Kings after scoring six points in six games. Van Olm was drafted 128th overall in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft by Edmonton.
Unfortunately, with minor hockey still shut down, players need places to play. So, it looks like Van Olm and Seitz will have an opportunity to make an impression with the organization and also continue to develop as players on the big WHL stage.
