WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Oil Kings Trim Roster Down to 27

September 9, 2010 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Edmonton, AB - The Edmonton Oil Kings are off to Prince George for a pair of exhibition games against the Cougars on Friday and Saturday, but their roster will be a bit lighter after they re-assigned three players this week.

The Oil Kings have placed 20-year-old forward Josh Koper on waivers, while re-assigning 19-year-old forward Jordan Kochan and 19-year-old defenceman Lane Werbowski to Junior A. With this week's roster moves, the team is currently carrying 27 players (16 forwards, nine defenceman, two goalies) as the 2010-2011 Western Hockey League season approaches.

Koper, an Edmonton native, is a right winger who started last season with the Medicine Hat Tigers before getting dealt to the Oil Kings. He ended up finishing the season with the Spruce Grove Saints of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, helping the team win the league title.

With Koper placed on waivers, the Oil Kings are now carrying the WHL maximum of three 20-year-old players on their roster in forwards Mike Piluso and Jordan Hickmott, as well as defenceman Adrian Van De Mosselaer

Werbowski played for the Tri-City Americans and then the Oil Kings during the 2009-2010 season. The Winnipeg native scored six points in 38 games with Edmonton. Kochan, an Edmonton native, played for the Prince Albert Raiders last season and had 10 points in 50 games.

The Oil Kings will also be without four more players in Prince George, as defenceman Mark Pysyk (Buffalo Sabres), as well as forwards Cameron Abney and Kristians Pelss (Edmonton Oilers), and goalie Cam Lanigan (Calgary Flames), will all be travelling to take part in their respective NHL camps.

As a result, three 15-year-old players will suit up against the Cougars - forward Curtis Lazar, defenceman Mason Geertsen and goalie Tristan Jarry. The three underage prospects made it through the duration of the recent Oil Kings training camp and were reassigned to their respective midget teams on Sunday, only to be activated once again for the Prince George trip.

The Oil Kings kick off the 2010-2011 WHL regular season on Friday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. against the Red Deer Rebels at Rexall Place. Tickets to the season opener and all other Oil Kings games are available online at oilkings.ca or by calling 780-414-GOAL (4625).

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Western Hockey League Stories from September 9, 2010


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