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WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Luke Prokop Named 2022 WHL Humanitarian of the Year

June 1, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Edmonton, AB - Edmonton Oil Kings defenceman Luke Prokop has been named this year's winner of the Western Hockey League's Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy as their 2022 Humanitarian of the Year.

Prokop, an Edmonton, AB product, announced on July 19, 2021 that he was gay, becoming the first openly gay hockey player signed to an NHL contract and instantly became a trailblazer in sport for the LGBTQ2S+ community.

Over the past 10 months, he has done countless interviews to represent the LGBTQ2S+ community, and to share his story of coming out in the hockey community. Luke responds to online requests for support everyday and has done a lot of work to learn how to best support those in need.

Prokop worked very closely with the Oil Kings in the development of the team's first Pride Day game. He reached out to Bauer to have skates made with Pride colours and has worked with the team's Head Equipment Manager, Rogan Dean, to order pride themed sticks for himself and a few teammates. He has consistently posted on his social media channels to encourage fans in the LGBTQ2S+ community to know there is a safe space for them within Rogers Place.

He is an advocate for the Kids Help Phone and donated $10 for every shot on goal he recorded this past season, ensuring the program can continue to support youth in their time of need. Thanks to donation matching from the Oil Kings, in partnership with the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation and Nashville Predators, he helped raise nearly $5,000 for Kids Help Phone.

On the ice, Prokop enjoyed a career year after being acquired by the Oil Kings from the Calgary Hitmen on October 13. In 58 games during the regular season he put up 35 points (11G, 24A), 38 penalty minutes and a +35 plus/minus rating.

He has helped the Oil Kings to the 2022 WHL Championship Series, which is scheduled to begin Friday night at Rogers place, having tallied 10 points (2G, 8A) and a league-best +18 plus/minus rating so far in the 2022 WHL Playoffs.

Prokop was drafted by the Nashville Predators in the third round, 73rd-overall, at the 2020 NHL Draft.

He becomes the second Oil Kings player to win the Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy, joining Will Warm who won the award in 2019.

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