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WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Oil Kings Call up First Round Draft Pick Curtis Lazar

December 7, 2010 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Edmonton, AB - There will be another first-round bantam draft pick in the Edmonton Oil Kings' lineup this week, as the team has called up 15-year-old centre Curtis Lazar.

Lazar, who was selected by the Oil Kings in the first round (second overall) of the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft, is scheduled to play two games as an affiliate this week, as Edmonton plays the Hitmen in Calgary on Wednesday and hosts the Kelowna Rockets on Saturday at Rexall Place.

"We're really excited to have Curtis up with the team for the week and to give him an opportunity to play some games with us," Oil Kings General Manager Bob Green said. "It's a great chance for him to continue his development as a player and ease his transition to the Oil Kings in a permanent role next year."

This past summer, Lazar was the recipient of the 2010 Hockey Now/B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame Minor Hockey Player Achievement Award. The Player Achievement Award is handed out annually to a B.C. Amateur Hockey Association player who best exemplifies sportsmanship, leadership and hockey skill.

The Vernon native captained the Pursuit of Excellence (POE) Hockey Academy's Bantam AAA team last season, racking up a whopping 57 goals and 115 points in 51 games. Current Oil Kings rookie defenceman Griffin Reinhart won the B.C. Player Achievement Award in 2009.

Lazar, a 5-foot-11, 178-pound forward, must play one season at the midget level before he can make the jump to major junior in 2011-12, but he is allowed to suit up for five games as an affiliate. He currently competes for Penticton's Okanagan Hockey Academy, and has scored 13 goals and 19 assists in 24 games with the prep squad.

Lazar and the Oil Kings (12-14-0-2) travel to Calgary on Wednesday to battle the Hitmen at 7 p.m. at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The highly-touted prospect will also be in the lineup on Saturday when Edmonton hosts the Kelowna Rockets at 7 p.m. at Rexall Place for Kids Eat Free Night.

Individual game tickets for all Oil Kings home games are on sale now and start at just $15 in the ATB Financial Zone. Season seats start at less than $9 per game, with the addition of some new Mini-Packs and Flex Plans this season as well. Tickets are available at any Ticketmaster outlet, online at oilkings.ca, or by calling 780-414-GOAL (4625).

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 7, 2010


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