Sometimes, you need to get knocked down to get where you want to me. That seems to be the case for Loeden Schaufler.
The newest member of the Edmonton Oil Kings joined them after spending the early portion of the season with the Spruce Grove Saints of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Schaufler showed off his offensive abilities while with the Junior A club scoring 13 points (5 goals, 8 assists) in 15 games; something we haven’t seen from him since his Midget AAA days in Notre Dame.
“It was kind of different,” mentioned Schaufler when speaking about his time in the Saints. “I think it was good for me to be playing lots and get my confidence back.”
The Dewinton, Alberta, native does come with plenty of WHL experience. He was a WHL Champion with the Prince Albert Raiders just last season appearing in six postseason games for them. Before his time with the Raiders, Schaufler was a member of Seattle Thunderbirds and Kootenay Ice who drafted him 56th overall back in 2015.
Schaufler was called up to the Oil Kings on Friday afternoon. That came after the organization announced that Conner McDonald would be taken a leave of absence from the team to attend to a family matter.
He then suited up for Edmonton on Saturday night in their 5-1 loss on the road in Medicine Hat. However, on Saturday night, the Oil Kings were trailing 4-0 to the Brandon Wheat Kings but managed to claw their way back into the game. Schaufler scored his first career WHL goal when he netted game-tying goal causing the Oil Kings fans to blow the roof off of Rogers Place.
“The guys came at me pretty quick,” smiled Schaufler on what when through his mind when he scored. “It was a pretty big goal, so I was excited for sure. I feel like I’ve played well, so it’s been awesome so far.”
He may not have been with the team for very long, but the 2000-born defenceman seems to have seamlessly slid into place. Schaufler can bring some of that offence back to the blue line that has been missing since McDonald has been out.
“I’ve been very happy with him,” said head coach Brad Lauer on the performances from his new defenceman. “He keeps things simple and moves the puck north. He’s got the ability on the back end to get pucks to the net, which is important because that creates second and third chance opportunities.”
The Oil Kings will now hit the road for five games against the BC Division starting on Tuesday against the Prince George Cougars.
