Oil Kings Make Two Selections at 2023 WHL U.S. Priority Draft
May 10, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release
(Edmonton, AB) - The Edmonton Oil Kings selected two players at the 2023 WHL U.S. Priority Draft, early today.
With their first selection, third-overall, the Oil Kings drafted 2008-born defenceman Alofa (Noa) Tunoa Ta'amu.
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound rearguard is a San Diego, California product and spent this past season with the U14 AAA Los Angeles Jr. Kings where he recorded 30 points (15G, 15A) to go along with 37 penalty minutes in 49 games.
Ta'amu is the son of former NFL offensive linemen Ed Ta'amu who spent time with the Minnesota Vikings and Houston Texans after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft following the completion of his NCAA career with Utah.
With their second selection, 23rd-overall, the Oil Kings drafted 2008-born forward Dylan Dean.
The 5-foot-9, 150-pound Maple Grove, Minnesota product spent this past season with the U14 AAA Mount St. Charles Academy where he tallied 55 points (23G, 32A) and 32 penalty minutes in 32 games.
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Western Hockey League Stories from May 10, 2023
- Winterhawks Select Two Americans at 2023 U.S. Priority Draft - Portland Winterhawks
- Bedard Winner of Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as WHL Player of the Year - Regina Pats
- Bedard Wins Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as WHL Player of the Year Presented by Kia - WHL
- Hitmen Select Two in U.S. Priority Draft - Calgary Hitmen
- Oil Kings Sign 2023 U.S. Priority Draft Third-Overall Pick Alofa Tunoa Ta'amu - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Pats Captain Bedard Wins Bob Clarke Trophy as 2022-23 WHL Top Scorer Presented by Kubota Canada - Regina Pats
- Royals Sign U.S. Priority Draft Selection Cruz Waltze to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement - Victoria Royals
- Blades Draft Forward and Defenceman in U.S. Priority Draft - Saskatoon Blades
- Western Hockey League Completes 2023 U.S. Priority Draft - WHL
- Bedard Wins Bob Clarke Trophy as 2022-23 WHL Top Scorer Presented by Kubota Canada - WHL
- Warriors Add Two Players in Wednesday's U.S. Priority Draft - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Kamloops Blazers Select Two Players in U.S. Priority Draft - Kamloops Blazers
- Americans Select Burick, McCord in 2023 WHL U.S. Priority Draft - Tri-City Americans
- Tigers Select Gordon-Carroll & Davidson in US Prospects Draft - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Chiefs Select F Brody Gillespie First Overall in WHL U.S. Priority Draft, F Nathan Chorlton in Second Round - Spokane Chiefs
- Royals Select Cruz Waltze and Odin Vauhkonen in 2023 U.S. Priority Draft - Victoria Royals
- Tips Select Two Players from Dallas Stars Elite 14U in U.S. Priority Draft - Everett Silvertips
- Pats Make Pair of Selections in 2023 U.S. Priority Draft - Regina Pats
- Giants Select Tyus Sparks and Gavin Karl in 2023 U.S. Priority Draft - Vancouver Giants
- Rebels Select Two at WHL U.S. Priority Draft - Red Deer Rebels
- Rockets Make Pair of Picks in US Priority Draft - Kelowna Rockets
- Wheat Kings Select Reed Brown & Jimmy Egan in US Priority Draft - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Hurricanes Select Pair in 2023 US Priority Draft - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Broncos Add Goaltender, Defenceman in 2023 WHL U.S. Priority Draft - Swift Current Broncos
- Oil Kings Make Two Selections at 2023 WHL U.S. Priority Draft - Edmonton Oil Kings
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