WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Oil Kings Training Camp Concludes

Published on September 2, 2010 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Fort Saskatchewan, AB - The Oil Kings Fourth Annual Red vs White game at the Jubilee Recreation Centre in Fort Saskatchewan was anything but another recreational skate for roster hopefuls. The unofficial end of training camp was one last chance for some players to impress and grab the attention of the coaching staff with an invite to participate in exhibition pre-season games on the line. That scenario produced a hard-hitting, intense intra-squad game that was decided by a single goal.

"Overall I've been very impressed with our guys in camp so far." said Oil Kings Head Coach Derek Laxdal. "I think the work ethic has been very good and the attention to detail has been great. We saw some things that we liked and saw some things that we need to work on. As we get down closer to what our final numbers will be, it gives us a good chance to evaluate the big picture and get ready for the season."

It didn't take long for Team White to get on the board. Import forward Kristians Pelss dug the puck out from along the half boards and set up 20 year old Jordan Hickmott in the low slot. He was the right handed shot playing the left wing and didn't waste anytime firing one top shelf, short-side just 32 seconds into the contest.

Team Red had the answer for that just 1:22 later. They had control in the offensive zone, worked the puck back to the point for 15 year old Mason Geertsen. The Sherwood Park resident got a shot through a maze of legs that was eventually tipped by David Stephens.

White restored their lead before the period was through on a bit of a broken play. Colton Stephenson ripped a shot on goalie Cam Lanigan who bobbled the rebound enough to cause a mad scramble in the crease. Eventually the puck squirted loose for defenceman Braeden Laroque to pinch in and bury a rebound through the crowd. It was 2 - 1 after one.

18 year old Colton Stephenson, who is making a comeback of sorts after missing the entire 2009-10 season with concussion symptoms, put team White ahead early in the second period. He was left a lone in the slot and converted a nice pass from the corner courtesy of Dylan Wruck.

Another player that missed a lot of time last year due to a series of injuries was showing no signs of cobwebs. Veteran defenceman Jesse Pearson dropped the gloves with fellow veteran Rhett Rachinski in a spirited affair midway through the final frame.

"I'll be honest, I was a little worried when I saw two veterans that had injury problems last year drop the gloves." admitted Laxdal. "If anything, that'll show some of the young guys how passionate you need to be to play on this team."

Team Red decided to pull their goalie for an extra attacker with about a minute to go and it paid off to make the game interesting at the end. Keegan Lowe fired a shot from the blue line that was tipped neatly in front by St.

Albert native Travis Ewanyk. That's as close as Red would come with Team White holding on for the 3 - 2 victory. Team White outshot Team Red 38 - 32 in a game that featured split time by four goalies including Lanigan vs Laurent Brossoit in the first half followed by Wade Moyls and Tristan Jarry in the second half.

The team will have a couple of days of practice to get ready for the Oil Kings Pre-Season Invitational presented by Elite Sportswear & Awards. The tournament runs September 4th and 5th at Servus Credit Union Place in St.

Albert. The Medicine Hat Tigers, Swift Current Broncos and Prince George Cougars will be here. Both the Oil Kings games are 7 o'clock starts. Day passes for the tournament are only $10 and are available at Ticketmaster.

Oil Kings General Manager Bob Green announced the following re-assignments following the Red vs White game:

Name Position Birth Year Team

Wade Moyls Goalie 1994 Surrey - BCJHL

Griffin Foulk Defence 1995 Colorado Thunder (Midget)

Cody Pettapiece Defence 1994 Saskatoon (Midget AAA)

E.J. Faust Forward 1993 Aurora (Ontario Junior)

Cole Benson Forward 1995 South Side Athletic Club (Midget AAA)

Stephen Shmoorkoff Forward 1994 Sherwood Park (AJHL)

Robbie Cameron Forward 1995 Saskatoon (Midget AAA)

Brandon Baddock Forward 1995 Lloydminster (Midget AAA)

Luke Bertolucci Forward 1995 Kootenay (Midget AAA)

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Western Hockey League Stories from September 2, 2010


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