Oil Kings 2023-24 Training Camp - Recap
Published on September 4, 2023 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release
(Edmonton, AB) - The Edmonton Oil Kings wrapped up their 2023-24 Training Camp earlier this afternoon with the annual Bob McGill Cup intrasquad game as Team Red secured a 6-1 win over Team White at the Downtown Community Arena.
Team Red got off to a quick start scoring three times in the opening frame as they outshot Team White 19-7 and took a 3-0 lead to the first intermission.
Red wasted no time getting on the board as just 20 seconds into the contest, Torren Budgell sifted a point shot through a maze of bodies for the game's icebreaker.
Just under two minutes later, Ben Wright increased the Red lead after re-directing a shot from Treycen Wuttunee.
At 8:59 of the first period, Gavin Hodnett, last season's leading point-getter, etched his name onto the scoresheet after racing onto a loose puck at center ice, breaking in uncontested and placing a shot five-hole.
White's best chance to score in the first period came with just under 90 seconds left in the period after Dawson Seitz hopped on a turned-over puck in the neutral zone and rang a shot off the post on a partial break.
The second period was more evenly contested with just one goal scored and the shots narrowly favouring Team Red, 11-10.
The lone goal of the period came just 5:55 in after Adam Jecho ripped a shot over the blocker of Jake Pilon after being setup in the high-slot on a dish from Hodnett to extend the Red lead to four.
Halfway through the third period, Team White got on the board with a power play marker after Rilen Kovacevic pounded home a one-timer from the left-circle thanks to a setup from Marc Lajoie and Rhett Melnyk.
In the closing minutes of the game, Team Red would put the game away thanks to Jecho and Hodnett each tallying their second goals of the game.
Oil Kings scouts Nels Eckland, Del Reid and Jamie Novakoski present Team Red Captain Cole Miller with the Bob McGill Cup
Oil Kings veteran players Carter Kowalyk and John Szabo did not participate in the game or any of the training camp scrimmages due to injury, both are considered day-to-day.
The Oil Kings are next in action when they open their pre-season schedule against the Calgary Hitmen on Saturday, September 9 at 6:00 PM at the Enoch Recreation Centre. Tickets are $15 at the door.
Scoring Summary
1st Period
Team Red Goal - 0:20 - #3 Torren Budgell from #5 Noa Ta'amu (EV)
Team Red Goal - 2:18 - #25 Ben Wright from #10 Treycen Wuttunee (EV)
Team Red Goal - 8:59 - #17 Gavin Hodnett unassisted (EV)
SOG - 19-7 Team Red
PPs - none
2nd Period
Team Red Goal - 5:55 - #43 Adam Jecho from #17 Gavin Hodnett and #47 Ethan MacKenzie (EV)
SOG - 11-10 Team Red (30-17 Team Red after 40 minutes)
PPs - Team Red 0/3 (0/3), Team White 0/1 (0/1)
3rd Period
Team White Goal - 10:29 - #39 Rilen Kovacevic from #24 Marc Lajoie and #27 Rhett Melnyk (PP)
Team Red Goal - 16:45 - #43 Adam Jecho(2) from #4 Rhys Pederson (EV)
Team Red Goal - 19:59 - #17 Gavin Hodnett(2) from #2 Caleb Gartner and #5 Noa Ta'amu (EV)
SOG - 13-12 Team Red (43-29 Team Red after 60 minutes)
PPs - Team Red 0/1 (0/4), Team White 1/3 (1/4)
Goaltenders
Team Red - Parker Snell (7sh/7sv, W), Logan Cunningham (10sv/10sh), Kolby Hay (11sv/12sh)
Team White - Jake Pilon (21sv/25sh), Hudson Perry (16sv/18sh)
ABOUT THE BOB McGILL CUP
The Bob McGill Cup is awarded annually at the end of the Edmonton Oil Kings training camp following the Red vs. White game which features the top 40 players from that year's training camp.
The Trophy is named after longtime WHL scout and former Edmonton Oil Kings scout, Bob McGill.
McGill, a Camrose, Alberta native, played with the original Oil Kings during the 1965 season. After his playing career, he joined the Edmonton Fire Department and served our City for 30 years before retiring in 1999.
In 1988, McGill began scouting in the WHL, and would do so until 2014. During his time as a scout, he worked for the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Medicine Hat Tigers (Head Scout), Kelowna Rockets (10 years, three consecutive trips to the Memorial Cup, 2003-05), Vancouver Giants and wrapped up his career by joining the Oil Kings for their inaugural season and working with the Club from 2007-14. With the Oil Kings, he helped build rosters that would go on to win two WHL Championships (2012, 2014) and one Memorial Cup (2014).
McGill is responsible for helping develop and bringing countless young hockey players to the WHL through his tireless work and dedication to the league and sport.
Prior to an Oil Kings game on March 17, 2016 at Rexall Place, McGill was honoured by the WHL with the WHL Distinguished Service Award which is presented annually by the league to recognize individuals who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes and made extraordinary contributions on behalf of a franchise or the league itself.
On September 17, 2016, McGill passed away at the age of 71 after a lengthy battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Western Hockey League Stories from September 4, 2023
- Young Guns Bring the Offense at Black and Gold Game - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Oil Kings 2023-24 Training Camp - Recap - Edmonton Oil Kings
- September 4 - Canes Chatter - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Team Hamhuis Defeats Team Brewer to Claim Rob Charney Cup - Prince George Cougars
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