Sports stats

WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Will Warm Named WHL Humanitarian of the Year

May 1, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


(RED DEER, AB) - The Western Hockey League announced today Edmonton Oil Kings defenceman Will Warm has been named the recipient of the Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy as the WHL's Humanitarian of the Year.

The Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to a player who has helped enhance the community he plays in. This marks the first time the award has been presented to an Oil Kings player.

"I'm shocked," Warm said of the honour. "It's something I'll remember and cherish for the rest of my life.

"[The award] wasn't something that crossed my mind at all throughout the season," he added. "I really just enjoyed hanging out with those incredible families, some really cool kids. I'm just so grateful."

After suffering a knee injury just five games into the 2018-19 regular season, Warm decided to make his impact off the ice while recovering, spending time giving back to others through an initiative that was eventually coined Will Warms the Community.

The biggest benefactor of Warm's efforts was the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). After visiting Ronald McDonald House as part of a team appearance in October, Warm developed an affinity for it and arranged to have six tickets donated to RMHC children and their families for each Oil Kings home game. Regardless of the outcome of the game, he hosted a post-game meet-and-greet with the families and provided autographed items as a token of his appreciation.

"Being an Oil Kings player you have an opportunity to make an impact in the community. Being out with the injury I wanted to take advantage of that. Reading up on just how much Ronald McDonald House did for families, the huge impact they have on them, I wanted to jump right in and work with them.

"My idea was just if they can come out to an Oil Kings game for a night and just kind of get away from everything that's going on in their life and have fun and experience some hockey, then that would be pretty cool," said Warm.

He would make a number of additional visits to RMHC throughout the duration of the season, as well as spending time with children and their families at both the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital and Stollery Children's Hospital.

"Everyone there was fantastic, but there was one little girl who had a massive impact on me," said Warm. "She was just so strong and it was just so special to be able to spend so much time with her and her sisters. My time there has changed me for the rest of my life."

Following the Oil Kings' annual Teddy Bear Toss game, Warm spent a morning packaging bears with 630 CHED Santa's Anonymous for delivery to local families.

Even after recovering from his knee injury, he continued Will Warms the Community. In the wake of hearing that a family member of an Oil Kings staff was involved in a life-threatening accident, Warm organized a team trip to Canadian Blood Services.

"He could have let the injury affect him in a negative way, but he used it to bring positive experiences to some who could use it most," said Edmonton Oil Kings President of Hockey Operations and General Manager, Kirt Hill. "That's Will. He's a leader on and off the ice for us and it's great to see a guy like that recognized."

Last month, Warm was named the Eastern Conference Humanitarian of the Year by the WHL.

Check out the Edmonton Oil Kings Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from May 1, 2019


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.

Other Recent Edmonton Oil Kings Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central