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WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Player Profile Presented by Dodge: Ethan Cap

March 25, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Edmonton, AB - He's been here for both a good time and a long time - a really long time.

In 2015, the Edmonton Oil Kings used their first-round selection in the WHL Bantam Draft on 6'2 210-pound defenceman Ethan Cap, a North Vancouver, BC product. From that day on would begin one of the lengthiest chapters written by an individual player in the franchise's history.

"Our old captain, Colton Kehler, had a nice quote - days go slow, years go fast," said Cap. "When you get to this year, you realize how much the time does fly. In a blink of an eye I'm 14 getting drafted sitting in front of my computer with that new excitement to now and I'm an old dog in my last year and you realize the time goes by just like that, but I'm glad I got to spend it here."

Currently sitting at 272 regular-season games played, Cap has played the fourth most games in an Oil Kings uniform behind only Keegan Lowe (276), Michael St. Croix (280) and T.J. Foster (338). When this season is all said and done, he will likely be second on that list.

"Good genetics I guess," laughed Cap on his ability to stay healthy and in the lineup over the years. "I can't say I do too much different from other guys, every offseason I prepare every day, I make sure I'm healthy and in good shape. In season I just make sure to listen to my body, take rest when I need it but it's also being smart on the ice and not putting myself in bad positions for bad hits but really it's the daily maintenance that's the biggest reason."

In his 272 career games, Cap, known more for his steady defensive prowess, has managed to put up solid offensive numbers with 16 goals and 56 assists. Speaking to his strong defensive acumen, Cap has a +41 rating over his last 138 games while often times taking on tough matchups with the opposition's top forwards.

"Obviously the on-ice game that he brings and the leadership," said Oil Kings head coach Brad Lauer on what stands out from his veteran defenceman. "He controls things on the ice, is very calm and can settle things down when we need."

During his lengthy career Cap has not only seen himself and the team grow on the ice, but he's also seen growth from an off-ice perspective.

"If you look at my headshots side-by-side from the first one to this (year's) one, it's kind of scary," joked Cap. "You go through a lot though, there are a lot of tough days in the league where maybe you don't feel too good or the team doesn't feel too good. Going through that rollercoaster teaches you a lot, it makes you grow up a little bit faster than most people would and it teaches you a lot of life lessons.

"I think what we go through here in five years is really implacable to the real world and I'm glad I got to go through that."

In his time with the Oil Kings, he's been a part of teams that finished at both ends of the WHL standings. His first two seasons the team won a combined 45 games. The following two seasons, the team had back-to-back 42-win campaigns, a pair of Central Division championships and one Eastern Conference regular season championship. Cap got his first taste of the WHL post-season during the 2019 playoffs. The team made an incredible run to the Eastern Conference Final, pushing the Prince Albert Raiders to six games. He would play in all 16 games for the team that post-season recording three assists.

Entering his final season, it was one that was shaping up to be a thrilling crescendo to his six-year journey within the organization. But, an ongoing global pandemic has re-shaped the outlook and landscape of what could have been for Cap and the Oil Kings, a team poised for another potential deep playoff run in 2021.

Despite the uncertainty regarding a post-season this year, he's keeping a positive mindset.

"I've had a lot of time to think about it and the biggest thing for me is to enjoy the last 24 games," said Cap. "It came to a head pretty quickly here, at home you couldn't help but feel a little bit bitter just towards the circumstances last year and this year especially.

"But I'm going to relish these last three months and the time that I do have with the guys. It's the last time I'll get to call this building home and this team mine. I'm going to just appreciate every minute of the practices, even the bag skates, I guess I'll miss those eventually.

In Sunday's win over the Red Deer Rebels, Cap scored his first goal of the season and 16th of his career, which tied him with Ben Carroll for the 10th most by a defenceman in franchise history.

Cap is one of four veteran defenceman on the Oil Kings roster this season and has been an integral part of helping get the team off to their best start in franchise history. He has also been helping guide a group of four rookie defenceman in their first WHL seasons.

"He's everything you look for in a leader," added Lauer. "Guys see the way that he works hard off the ice and how he handles himself, the qualities that he brings as an individual is something that our younger guys can feed off of and see how he treats people."

Next up for Cap and the Oil Kings is a three-game weekend series against the Calgary Hitmen starting on Friday. Catch all the action right here at oilkings.ca/radio.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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