The Edmonton Oil Kings are heading into the 2024-25 Western Hockey League (WHL) season anticipating to push for a playoff spot. They improved final season and had been heading in the right direction because the season got here to a detailed, however weren’t capable of struggle their method out from the underside of the standings. They got here into coaching camp able to make a postseason push and a few new gamers could possibly be X-factors in the case of their success this season.
Whereas gamers like Adam Jecho, Gavin Hodnett, and Parker Alcos are anticipated to assist lead the Oil Kings to the promised land this season, just a few gamers deserve extra recognition heading into the brand new marketing campaign.
Miroslav Holinka
Ahead Miroslav Holinka was drafted by the Oil Kings on this season’s import draft and signed a scholarship and growth settlement. He’s additionally a Toronto Maple Leafs prospect (chosen 151st within the 2024 NHL Entry Draft). He has been praised as a robust two-way ahead who has offensive upside and could possibly be a large addition to the Oil Kings’ prime six this season.
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Final season, Holinka performed in his dwelling nation of Czechia within the U20 league with HC Ocelári Trinec the place he scored 20 targets and 41 factors by way of 29 video games, which comes out to a 1.41 points-per-game common. The Oil Kings will look to make the most of his robust offensive presence when he returns from Maple Leafs’ rookie camp as he appears to proceed growing into a possible future NHL star.
Czechia’s U20 crew wrapped up a event in Finland in July, the place Holinka completed second on the membership in scoring with three targets and 4 factors by way of three video games. He was tied for the crew lead in targets with fellow Oil King Jecho, however Jecho led the crew with six factors in 4 video games.
Owen Mastroianni
One other participant to look at is ahead Owen Mastroianni, who has already spent a while with the Oil Kings. Mastroianni performed two video games final season, notching one help, and regarded stable defensively. He spent many of the marketing campaign taking part in within the Canadian Sport Faculty Hockey League (CSSHL) with Edge Faculty U18 Prep, the place he scored eight targets and 19 factors by way of 22 video games, which comes out to a 0.86 points-per-game common.
[Mastroianni] forechecked properly and was capable of disrupt the breakout. Owen additionally fell again for pinching defensemen and was accountable defensively general. Given his dimension and that he performed primarily on the U18 stage this season, it’s unlikely that Owen might be drafted subsequent season. That being stated, he ought to have a serviceable WHL profession that would propel him to a minor professional deal sooner or later.
– Nick Earle, WHL: Edmonton vs Calgary Overview, March 14, 2024
Whereas Mastroianni isn’t going to be a famous person aim scorer who will stroll his solution to an NHL contract, he ought to be capable of produce at a stable charge for a middle-six ahead with the Oil Kings. He has had a stable coaching camp and may crack the opening-night roster. General, he’ll stand out extra for his intangibles than his pure offensive capability.
Jack Toogood
Lastly, ahead Jack Toogood grew up in Devon, Alberta, only a half-hour outdoors of Edmonton. Final season, Toogood performed 4 video games with the Oil Kings and didn’t register a degree, however he spent many of the season with the Northern Alberta Xtreme U18 Prep within the CSSHL, the place he scored seven targets and 22 factors by way of 25 video games, which comes out to a 0.88 points-per-game common.
Whereas there are extra gamers who could possibly be X-factors, like Jager Gugyelka, Presley Kerner, and Alex Worthington, the three aforementioned gamers have stood out throughout coaching camp probably the most. With an overabundance of forwards, the Oil Kings have some powerful selections to make, however these three must be within the lineup when their WHL season will get happening Friday, Sept. 20 in opposition to the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
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