Four Oil Kings Alumni Win Canada West Conference Championship with Saskatchewan Huskies

March 10, 2025 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release

Saskatoon, Sask. - Four Edmonton Oil Kings alumni are USports Canda West Conference Champions after the University of Saskatchewan Huskies defeated the Mount Royal University Cougars on Monday night.

The Huskies needed all three games in the best-of-three conference championship to defeat Mount Royal. On Sunday night, it was a 3-0 victory for the Huskies on home ice.

Forwards Liam Keeler, Vince Loschiavo, and Raphael Pelletier, along with defenceman Parker Gavlas will head to the University Cup now as Canada West Champions after their successful playoff run with the Huskies.

Keeler, and Edmonton product, played 214 games with the Oil Kings between 2016 and 2021, tallying 74 points in the regular season as well as two goals in 16 playoff games during the 2018/2019 playoffs. Keeler is in his third season with the Huskeis and had 13 points in 17 games this season, and has added four points in five playoff games.

Loschiavo, who scored the game-winning-goal in Sunday's deciding game, played one season for the Oil Kings during the 2018/2019 season. He scored 37 goals that season and added 25 assists for 62 points. The Winnipeg, Man., product added 14 points in 16 playoff games that season as well. This is currently Loschiavo's fourth season with the U of S, and he notched 20 points in 26 games this season along with four points in six playoff games so far.

Pelletier, a Legal, Alta. product, was originally drafted by the Oil Kings in 2017, he played five games for the club during 2017/2-18 before spending most of his junior career with the Swift Current Broncos. This is Pelletier's second season with the Huskies. He tallied 16 points in 24 games, and has added one assist in two playoff games.

Gavlas is playing in his fourth season with the Huskies and played 46 games for the Oil Kings during the 2018/2019 season. He notched 10 points from the blueline that year along with four points in 16 games during the playoffs. Gavlas had seven points in 26 regular-season games and has added four points in six playoff games.

The Huskies will now participate in the USports National Championship tournament from March 20-23 in Ottawa, Ont.

• Discuss this story on the Western Hockey League message board...

Western Hockey League Stories from March 10, 2025

• Liam Ruck Named WHL Rookie of the Week - Medicine Hat Tigers
• Giant's Netminder Hood Named WHL Goaltender of the Week for 2nd Time - Vancouver Giants
• Blades Forward Laing Named Tempo WHL Player of the Week - Saskatoon Blades
• Flames Prospect Laing's Four-Goal Week Headlines WHL Weekly Awards - WHL
• Tips Come Back to Earn Shootout Point in Portland - Everett Silvertips
• Cougars Hang on to Steal 4-3 Win in Everett - Everett Silvertips
• Raiders Name Ryan McDonald Interim Head Coach - Prince Albert Raiders
• Roest Nets GWG in Return, Tips Beat Ams 6-5 - Everett Silvertips
• Winterhawks Weekly: Portland Secures Three Wins and Playoff Berth - Portland Winterhawks
• Spokane Chiefs to Host Bud Light Law Enforcement Exhibition Hockey Game - Spokane Chiefs
• Four Oil Kings Alumni Win Canada West Conference Championship with Saskatchewan Huskies - Edmonton Oil Kings
• Dyck Brilliant in Broncos Shootout Loss to Oil Kings - Swift Current Broncos
• Štěbeták Makes 37 Saves as Hawks Edge Silvertips in Shootout - Portland Winterhawks

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Edmonton Oil Kings Stories

• Oil Kings Not Renewing Contract of Luke Pierce
• Sawchyn Named to Team Canada's World Under-18 Roster
• Fiddler Named to Team U.S.A for World Under-18 Hockey Championships
• Three Former Oil Kings Set to Play in Stanley Cup Playoffs
• Four Oil Kings Named in NHL Central Scouting Final Draft Rankings