Oil Kings Announce 2023-24 Leadership Group
November 28, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release
(Edmonton, AB) - The Edmonton Oil Kings have announced that four players will serve as the team's leadership group for the remainder of the 2023-24 season.
The team has elected to go with four alternate captains in defencemen Marc Lajoie and Carter Kowalyk, along with forwards Marshall Finnie and Ty Nash.
Lajoie, 20, is in his fifth season in the WHL and first with the Oil Kings after the team acquired him from the Tri-City Americans this past Spring. He is a veteran of 239 career WHL games in which he as registered 111 points (34G, 77A), 268 penalty minutes and a -93 plus/minus rating while also suiting up in nine career post-season games.
Last season, the St. Albert, AB product served as the captain of the Americans.
So far this season, the 6-foot-6, 223-pound defenceman has tallied 18 points (8G, 10A), 34 penalty minutes and a +1 plus/minus rating in 24 games. His point total ranks 13th amongst all WHL defenceman this season, while his goal total is second.
Over the past number of seasons, he has attended NHL training camps with the Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Kings and Vegas Golden Knights as a free agent invite.
Kowalyk, 18, is in his third season with the Oil Kings after originally being drafted by the organization in the fourth round of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft.
In 98 career games, the St. Albert, AB product has put up 18 points (5G, 13A), 123 penalty minutes and a -30 plus/minus rating. Additionally, he has played in 15 career post-season games and helped the Oil Kings capture the 2022 WHL Championship.
The 6-foot-3, 197-pound rearguard has not played since opening night this season after he sustained an upper-body injury but is expected to return to the lineup in the coming weeks.
Last season, he was named the Oil Kings recipient of their Kristians Pelss Memorial Award which is given to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of Kristians on and off the ice as a dedicated member of the team.
Finnie, 19, is in his second season with the Oil Kings after he earned a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the organization during last year's training camp.
This season, the Lethbridge, AB product has recorded 12 points (6G, 6A), 56 penalty minutes and a -11 plus/minus rating in 24 games.
In 88 career games, the 6-foot-2, 189-pound forward has tallied 34 points (14G, 20A), 169 penalty minutes and a -58 plus/minus rating.
Last season, he was named the Oil Kings Unsung Hero of the Year.
Nash, 20, is in his fifth season in the WHL and first with the Oil Kings after being acquired from the Wenatchee Wild in September.
Through eight games this season, the Scottsdale, AZ product has registered six points (3G, 3A), eight penalty minutes and a -3 plus/minus rating.
Over his WHL career, the 5-foot-11, 178-pound forward has also had stops with the Winnipeg ICE and Lethbridge Hurricanes and has appeared in 215 career WHL games tallying 116 points (50G, 66A), 139 penalty minutes and a +10 plus/minus rating. Last season, he helped the ICE reach the WHL Championship series playing in 14 post-season games and adding three points (2G, 1A).
Last season, he attended the Carolina Hurricanes training camp as a free agent invite.
During the 2021-22 season he took part in the Goals for KidsSport program helping raise money for the program by donating $10 to them for every goal he scored that season.
The Edmonton Oil Kings next home game is this Friday, December 1 at 7:00 P.M. when they host the Everett Silvertips in the 16th annual The Brick Teddy Bear Toss.
The Oil Kings are Edmonton's first choice for family fun with great seats starting at $20 and season seats for as low as $9 per-game for an entire season of thrilling WHL action!
Head to OilKings.ca to secure your seat today!
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