WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Deadline Comes and Goes

Published on January 10, 2012 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Edmonton, AB - The Edmonton Oil Kings remained relatively quiet at the WHL Trade deadline but still added some offensive punch this week with the arrival of forward Henrik Samuelsson from MODO of the Swedish Elite League. Samuelsson touched down on Monday and took practice for the first time today. The 94-born 6'2 192 pound American is the only addition to the Oil Kings lineup and is expected to make his WHL debut this Thursday as the Oil Kings take on the Medicine Hat Tigers in Medicine Hat.

Samuelsson is a highly touted prospect eligible for the 2012 NHL Draft and is the son of former NHL defenseman Ulf Samuelsson who also coached him in Modo. He was a product of the U.S. National Development Program and has played for Team USA at the 2011 U17 World Hockey Challenge where he totaled 10 points in five games as well as the World U18 Hockey Championship.

Yesterday, in the Oil Kings only trade, Edmonton moved the rights to 91-born overage Delta, BC native Cam Reid to the Portland WinterHawks in exchange for a Portland conditional pick in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft. Reid is a 6'3, 197 pound forward currently playing for St.Cloud State of the WCHA where he has 15 points in 22 games.

"We acquired a few players prior to the deadline - players like Cody Corbett and now Henrik Samuelsson have helped us to add to our lineup without subtracting from it." said Oil Kings GM Bob Green "Also, we hope to have Travis Ewanyk back in the lineup prior to the end of the season, we're happy with the overall depth of our team and didn't see the need to make a whole lot of moves at the deadline."

Travis Ewanyk has been sidelined for most of the season with an upper body injury and is expected to make his return to the Oil Kings lineup sometime in February. Ewanyk is an Edmonton native who this past summer was drafted in the third round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers. Last season the Oil Kings Alternate Captain posted 27 points and led the team with 126 penalty minutes.

The roster is now set at 25 with two goaltenders, eight defensemen, 15 forwards. The three over-age positions are currently held by forwards Rhett Rachinski, Tyler Maxwell and Jordan Peddle. The two import positions are held by a pair of Edmonton Oilers draft picks in Martin Gernat (Kosice, Slovakia) and Kristians Pelss (Preili, Latvia). There are three American players; Maxwell (Manhattan Beach, CA), Cody Corbett (Lakeland, MN) and the newly acquired Samuelsson (Scottsdale, AZ). There are 20 Canadian players on the team with 11 from Alberta, eight of which are from Edmonton and the surrounding area; four players from B.C., three from Saskatchewan and two from Manitoba.

Edmonton currently sits atop the WHL Eastern Conference with a record of 27-10-1-4 four points ahead for the second place Moose Jaw Warriors. Edmonton will look to continue their winning ways this Thursday as they make the trip south to take on the Medicine Hat Tigers.

The Oil Kings next home game is Saturday, January 14th as Griffin Reinhart and the Oil Kings play host to Max and Sam Reinhart and the Kootenay Ice! The other brother act coming that night will be the return of the Hanson Brothers from the Movie Slapshot! There'll be a private meet and greet for the season seat holders before the game and an autograph signing on the main concourse from the second period until the end of the game! Don't miss your chance to meet these amazing hockey icons!

Oil Kings Hockey is Edmonton's best family entertainment value. The 2011-12 season features new reduced pricing with great seats starting at just $15 and premium seating starting at just $20. Oil Kings tickets are available online at OilKings.ca, via phone at 780-414-GOAL (4625) or at any Ticketmaster outlet.

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 10, 2012


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