WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

1962-1963 Edmonton Oil Kings Newest Members Of The Alberta Hockey Hall Of Fame

Published on February 12, 2009 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Edmonton, AB - The current edition of the Edmonton Oil Kings are proud to congratulate the 1962 - 1963 Oil Kings who will enter the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame.

The official announcement was made by Hockey Alberta and the Hockey Alberta Foundation Thursday in Red Deer.

The 1962-1963 Oil Kings are one of 2 teams that will join 5 individuals who will enter into the Hall with the Induction Ceremony and Hockey Alberta Awards Gala taking place Saturday June 13, 2009 at the Capri Hotel & Convention Centre in Red Deer, Alberta.

The Oil Kings along with the 1974-75 Camrose Lutheran College Vikings are the inductees in the Achievement Category. Ed Chynoweth (WHL Commissioner 1972 - 1996), Don Dillion (Former Alberta Amateur Hockey Association Minor Council Chair), David Duchak (First Commissioner of the AJHL), Dave Ganley (Treasurer/Registrar Hockey Alberta Referee Council), and John 'Doc' Gibson (Alberta Amateur Hockey Association's 3rd President) will also enter the hall this summer.

The 1962- 63 Oil Kings captured the city's first Memorial Cup Championship in 1963 after making the finals in 1954, 1960, 1961 and 1962. The Oil Kings actually participated in 2 separate playoffs that year making it to the 'senior league' CAHL final while taking on the Calgary Buffaloes on their Memorial Cup trail, at the same time! They eventually beat the Estevan Bruins and the Brandon Wheat Kings to win their fourth straight Abbot Cup Final to become the Western Junior Champions and set up their historic Memorial Cup series against the Niagra Falls Flyers.

Edmonton would have to win 6 playoff series compared to Niagra Falls' 3 just to get to the Memorial Cup. The Oil Kings took the championship series in 6 games in one of the roughest and most memorable Memorial Cup Championships of all time. Every game in that series was played at the venerable Edmonton Gardens.

Some of the players that laced them up for hard-nosed coach Buster Brayshaw included Roger Bourbonnais, Gregg Pilling, Bob Falkenberg, Vince Downey, Pat Quinn and Glen Sather.

The Oil Kings are proud of their rich history and all of the teams that made up the most powerplay junior hockey franchise of the 1950's and 60's. Their legacy lives on as the 2008-2009 edition of the team and the modern franchise establishes itself as one of the best in today's junior hockey landscape.

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 12, 2009


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