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WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Mr. 1000

April 16, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


The Edmonton Oil Kings organization would like to congratulate long-time Head Equipment Manager Rogan Dean on working his 1000th career game on Saturday, April 16.

Dean, a Fort Saskatchewan, AB native (by way of Central Butte, SK), began working in hockey just under two decades ago as he volunteered his time with the Fort Saskatchewan Junior 'B' hockey club as their Equipment Manager after having a couple buddies on the team and seeing an opportunity to pitch in and help out.

That first gig would lead to a more permanent role as the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers AAA team's full-time Equipment Manager a short time later.

During his time with the Rangers, he would hone his craft while working at the Winners Way Source for Sports in Fort Saskatchewan.

When the City of Edmonton landed the WHL's 22nd franchise, the Oil Kings, he reached out to the club and was brought on board as a volunteer trainer's assistant for the first year of the expansion club's existence.

During that first season, he helped around the rink on game days, while also logging a ton of hours helping transport equipment back-and-forth from Rexall Place to the team's practice rink in Sherwood Park all while still holding down a full-time job away from the organization.

When the Head Equipment Manager job opened up, it was a no brainer for the franchise to bring him in as a full-time employee.

Flash forward 15 years later, and Dean is the last remaining Day 1 Edmonton Oil King employee having had a front row seat for each game the team has played...except for that one time an unnamed Head Athletic Therapist accidentally broke his elbow before a playoff game...but that's a story for another day.

From Tomas Vincour to Jake Neighbours and everyone in between, he's seen it all. He white-knuckled it through three overtimes in London, Ontario on a warm evening in May of 2014 before Curtis Lazar said enough was enough, and by now, he could probably fly a plane from Edmonton to Portland with his eyes closed.

In his time with the organization, he has become a Memorial Cup Champion (2014), two-time WHL Champion (2012, 2014) and has worked three CHL/NHL Top Prospects games and one CIBC Canada/Russia Series.

So, if you're wondering what Rogan Dean means to the Edmonton Oil Kings, well, simply put, its an unimaginable amount of man hours logged sharpening skates, repairing equipment, ordering gear, apparel and anything else the coaching staff and players may require.

But that's just the stuff on the surface, what Rogan Dean actually means to the Edmonton Oil Kings is a lore more than that. For 15 years he has carried the torch and helped show every new crop of players and staff the Oil Kings culture and how to carry themselves as Oil Kings. He's been a person that players, coaches and staff members can go to for wisdom, advice and sometimes just someone to lend an ear.

So for 1000 games, the Oil Kings say thank you, and here is to 1000 more.

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Western Hockey League Stories from April 16, 2022


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