Three Oil Kings Selected in 2012 NHL Draft
June 23, 2012 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release
Pittsburgh, PA - The Edmonton Oil Kings are proud to announce three players were chosen at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft in Pittsburgh including a team record two players selected in the opening round. West Vancouver, B.C. native Griffin Reinhart becomes the highest ever draft pick for the Oil Kings after being picked 4th overall by the New York Islanders. Henrik Samuelsson jumped up from his mid-season Central Scouting ranking of 75th all the way to 27th overall. The Phoenix Coyotes chose him with their first pick of the draft connecting him back to the city where he grew up while his father Ulf was coaching with the Coyotes.
The Edmonton Oilers continued their streak of selecting Edmonton Oil Kings at the draft using their second pick (32nd overall) to select Oil Kings forward Mitchell Moroz. The Calgary, AB native is a power forward listed at 6 foot 1 and 208 pounds. Moroz just finished his first full season of major junior hockey after being called up for a total of 8 games with the Oil Kings over the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons. His breakout campaign in his draft eligible season included 16 goals, 9 assists for 25 points in 66 games played. He added another 4 goals and 4 assists in the Oil Kings remarkable Championship playoff run this spring.
The Oilers previous Edmonton Oil Kings connections include Cameron Abney (3rd Round, 2009), Kristians Pelss (7th Round, 2010), Travis Ewanyk (3rd Round, 2011), Martin Gernat (5th Round, 2011) and Mitchell Moroz (2nd Round, 2012).
The three players chosen in the draft is just one shy of the Oil Kings franchise record set in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. With the expected graduation of Captain Mark Pysyk (Buffalo, 1st Round, 2010) and Pelss to the pro ranks, the Oil Kings will now have a total of 8 NHL drafted players on their 2012-13 roster with the possibility of adding another with the upcoming CHL Import draft Wednesday June 27th.
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Western Hockey League Stories from June 23, 2012
- Three Calgary Hitmen Taken in 2012 NHL Entry Draft - Calgary Hitmen
- Rockets Import Draft a 1st Rounder in NHL Draft - Kelowna Rockets
- Troock Selected by Dallas at 2012 NHL Draft - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Three Oil Kings Selected in 2012 NHL Draft - Edmonton Oil Kings
- 2012 NHL Entry Draft Recap - Regina Pats
- Two Giants Selected in 2012 NHL Draft - Vancouver Giants
- 32 WHL Players Selected in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft - WHL
- Colin Smith Selected by Colorado Avalanche - Kamloops Blazers
- Third Rockets Player Selected in NHL Draft - Kelowna Rockets
- Brendan Leipsic and Taylor Leier Selected in NHL Entry Draft - Portland Winterhawks
- Gordon Selected 165th Overall by Calgary Flames - Swift Current Broncos
- Black Selected 135th Overall by New Jersey Devils - Swift Current Broncos
- Royals' Logan Nelson Selected by Buffalo in 2012 - Victoria Royals
- Stephenson Selected by Capitals - Regina Pats
- Bozon Selected by Canadiens in Third Round - Kamloops Blazers
- Walters Drafted in 4th Round by St. Louis - Everett Silvertips
- Rockets Taken in NHL Draft - Kelowna Rockets
- Royals' Steven Hodges Chosen by Florida Panthers - Victoria Royals
- Troy Bourke Drafted by Colorado Avalanche in Third Round - Prince George Cougars
- Mike Winther Drafted by the Dallas Stars - Prince Albert Raiders
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