Revisiting Edmonton Oil Kings 2008 bantam draft

 

The WHL Bantam Draft is a prestigious event that holds the dreams of any high-level bantam hockey player looking to make it to the next level.

Think of the WHL as a mini NHL. Many kids want the chance to suit up in front of a big crowd and don a familiar jersey they have seen a million times in newspapers and on Shaw TV.

For some players, the journey starts with their names being called at the bantam draft podium. The event is an essential tool for all WHL General Managers in their efforts to build a successful team for the future.

WHL Bantam Draft
WHL Bantam Draft, whl.ca.

The Edmonton Oil Kings have won two WHL championships and a Memorial Cup since their inaugural season in 2007-08. Throughout the years, they have been able to identify top-end talent at the bantam draft, which has greatly contributed to their on-ice success.

One of the best bantam drafts that produced a handful of key players for the Oil Kings was in 2008. It identified six eventual regulars. So, without further adieu, let’s go down the list and take a look at the players who were drafted by the Oil Kings in 2008 and became solid contributors in the lineup:

Michael St. Croix

Edmonton snagged a bonafide number one centerman with this player. Drafted in the first round, fourth overall, St. Croix was pegged as a future star for the Oil Kings from the moment his name was called. A wizard offensively, St. Croix played in 280 games in an Oil Kings jersey and put up a whopping 320 points.

He led the Oil Kings in scoring for three out of the four full WHL seasons he played with the club and won a championship in 2011-12. St. Croix was a two-time all-star and also holds Oil King club records for most career goals (128), most assists (192), and most points (320).

Laurent Brossoit

With the 26th pick of the draft, the Oil Kings nabbed their starting goaltender of the future. But not just a starter. A star-studded starter. Brossoit played in 147 games with the Oil Kings and finished with a 0.909 career save percentage. Brossoit was named an all-star once, WHL playoff MVP, and won a championship.

Travis Ewanyk

The Oil Kings added grit and leadership with their third round, 48th overall pick. Ewanyk was an excellent utility player who played a solid two-way game at centre. His physicality was a welcoming addition to the Oil Kings roster from 2008-2013. He played in 185 games and accumulated 59 points. He also won a championship in 2011-12.

Ryan Dech

Taken in the third round, 56th overall, the Oil Kings added a useful depth player for their blue line. Dech played in 97 WHL games, all with Edmonton, and put up 20 points. He also added championship pedigree to his WHL career resume when his team won a league title in 2011-12.

Keegan Lowe

At 114th overall in round six of the draft, the Oil Kings snagged a rugged defender in Lowe. He played a hard-nosed, defensive game and could contribute with a little bit of offence here and there as well. Lowe’s toughness and compete level provided a great spark for the Oil Kings.

He played in 276 games for Edmonton and had 92 points to go along with 470 penalty minutes. He also won a WHL title in 2011-12 and was named an all-star in 2012-13.

Stephane Legault

The Oil Kings got a steal of a pick at 136th overall in the seventh round with Legault. He was a skilled, two-way player who complimented the depth of the team very well. He played in 186 games and scored 108 points.

Legault had a few memorable performances both in the WHL Playoffs and also at the Memorial Cup tournament. To cap off his legacy, he won a championship with the Oil Kings in 2011-12.

List of other Oil King prospects selected in 2008

The Oil Kings also drafted a handful of other players in 2008 who possessed great potential and skill; but ultimately, none of them played a game with the club:

Logan Sproule (D) was drafted in the fifth round, 92nd overall by Edmonton. He played four seasons in the SJHL for the Humboldt Broncos.

Denin Boesch (D) was selected in the eighth round, 158th overall. He played in the SJHL for the Estevan Bruins and in the PJHL for the Pilot Butte Storm.

Luc Vandale (RW) went in the ninth round, 179th overall. He played four seasons in the AJHL for the Camrose Kodiaks.

Brock Wellicome (LW) was drafted in the tenth round, 200th overall. He played in the PIJHL for the Abbotsford Pilots.

Phillip Gervais (RW) was drafted in the 11th round, 218th overall.

Slam Dunk for the Oil Kings

The 2008 Bantam Draft represents a great win for the Oil Kings. They ended up drafting six prospects who would eventually become key contributors. This draft is an impressive reflection of an important strength of this organization. Scouting. Major hat tip to the personnel of the past who helped shape this impressive team and set them up to become contenders and ultimately win their first championship of the modern era in 2011-12.