WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Edmonton Oil Kings Year End Awards

Published on March 15, 2010 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Edmonton, AB - What promises to be a very busy off-season for Oil Kings defenceman Mark Pysk started with a heavy haul at the team's 2009 - 2010 Year End Awards Banquet. The 18 year old Sherwood Park native was awarded the Greg Tomalty Award as the Most Valuable Player, the Top Defenceman Award and was the Scholastic Player of the Year.

Pysyk finished as the team's highest scoring blue liner with 7 goals and 17 assists in 48 games in a season shortened by injury. The team's first ever Bantam Draft pick (First round, 3rd Overall in 2007) was also noticed by the NHL scouts. Pysyk was ranked 9th overall amongst North American skaters in Central Scouting's mid-season report of players eligible for this summer's NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles. He's the second highest WHL skater next to Brett Connolly of the Prince George Cougars.

"We're really proud of the way Mark has developed both as a hockey player and as an outstanding member of the community." said Oil Kings General Manager Bob Green. "He carried our team on his back a lot of nights this winter and the fact that he played on a broken foot for a couple of games before he was forced to end his season early shows how much character he's developed. He is a model Oil King."

Rookie sensation and another Oil Kings first round draft pick Michael St. Croix was also a multiple award winner. The 16 year old Winnipeg native took Top Rookie honours and was the team's top scorer with 18 goals and 28 assists in 66 games. St. Croix really came on in the second half of the season highlighted by a number of point streaks and stretches of play where he registered a point per game.

Other award winners include Captain Rhett Rachinski as Humanitarian of the Year for his tireless work in the community even when he was injured for part of the season. The prestigious Blue Willow Restaurant Vic Mah Trophy presented to the Unsung Hero for the month of March was given to rookie defenceman Braeden Laraque and the Big League Sports & Apparel Three Star Award for most three star selections throughout the season was earned by veteran goaltender Torrie Jung.

The organization also paid special tribute to Jung along with fellow over-age players Drew Nichol and Garry Nunn for their contributions to the team and wished them well in life beyond the Western Hockey League.

The Edmonton Oil Kings are proud hosts of the WHL Year End Awards Banquet and the WHL Bantam Draft coming up April 28th and 29th at the Fantasyland Hotel at West Edmonton Mall. Award Winners

Greg Tomalty Award (MVP) - Mark Pysyk

Top Defenceman - Mark Pysyk Scholastic

Player Of The Year - Mark Pysyk

Top Scorer - Michael St. Croix

Rookie Of The Year - Michael St. Croix

Humanitarian Of The Year - Rhett Rachinski

Big League Sports & Apparel 3 Star Award - Torrie Jung

Blue Willow Vic Mah Trophy (March) - Braeden Laraque

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Western Hockey League Stories from March 15, 2010


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