When you’re bringing up the rear of the Western Hockey League standings, nothing is off the table.
And the Edmonton Oil Kings know full well you’ve got to give something to get something, even on the downward cycle of the roller-coaster ride that is the Western Hockey League.
That’s how versatile veteran Carson Golder wound up on the trade block this week, getting dealt along with a 2023 third-round draft pick to the Kelowna Rockets for 2004-born forward Rilen Kovacevic.
While the move brings a player into Edmonton who is two years younger, it cost the Oil Kings a key member from last year’s league championship run. The 20-year-old Golder, who was originally acquired from the Victoria Royals in the summer of 2021 and brought in as a defenceman, lined up as a forward throughout last year’s playoffs on the way to leading the championship series in scoring with a goal and five assists in six games.
During his time in Edmonton, Golder earned 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists), a plus-2 rating and 38 penalty minutes in 70 games.
“Carson was a big part of our championship run last season by being able to play both forward and defence in critical moments,” said Oil Kings president of hockey operations and general manager Kirt Hill. “He has been off to a great start this season and will have a big opportunity in front of him in Kelowna.”
Kovacevic, 18, comes to Edmonton with a high ceiling after scoring five goals and four assists in 20 games with the Rockets so far this season.
“It’s difficult to acquire players in transactions involving 20-year-olds, so having the opportunity add an 18-year-old with a lot of upside to our lineup was very attractive to our club,” Hill said. “His 200-foot game, offensive upside and will to compete every night made him a good fit as a player to add to our group.”
BRINGING BACK BOYKO
Noah Boyko will be suiting up for his hometown team after the 2002-born forward was part of a deal with the Prince George Cougars that will bring him to Edmonton, along with a 2023 third-round draft pick and a conditional 2026 third-round draft pick, in trade for 2002-born forward Jaxsen Wiebe and a conditional 2026 eight-round pick.
A 20-year-old Fort Saskatchewan product, Boyko has earned five goals, five assists, four penalty minutes and a plus-1 rating in 22 games playing forward with the Cougars this year.
“It is always nice when you have the ability to add local players to your lineup who are familiar with the city and club,” Hill said. “Noah is a former first-round pick in the WHL and has a lot of offensive ability to his game.
“He will be asked to provide leadership to our younger group of players and help provide offence on our power play and at even strength. We look forward to having Noah in our lineup Wednesday night.”
That’s when the Oil Kings face the Saskatoon Blades at Rogers Place (7 p.m.).
At 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, Boyko was originally selected by the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the first round (16th overall) of the 2017 WHL draft.
In 197 games, he has scored 94 points (48 goals, 46 assists), taken 62 penalty minutes and has a minus-9 rating as a member of the Hurricanes, Blades and Cougars.
In 2017, he helped lead the U15 triple-A Fort Saskatchewan Rangers to the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League championship after scoring 52 points (25 goals, 27 assists) in 33 regular-season games and an additional 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) in 14 post-season appearances.
Wiebe, 20, was in his second season with the Oil Kings after being acquired from the Red Deer Rebels in the summer of 2021. He has three goals and an assist in four games this year, along with 32 penalty minutes and an even plus-minus rating.
Originally drafted by the Rebels in the seventh round (141st overall) in 2017, Wiebe has 60 points (22 goals, 38 assists) in 130 WHL games, as well as 225 penalty minutes and a plus-8 rating.
“Jaxsen made an immediate impact on our roster when we acquired him in the summer of 2021,” Hill said. “His hard-hitting and high-compete style of play made him a fan favourite in Edmonton and will give him the chance to have a long runway in the game moving forward.
“Not only was Jaxen a big part of our championship run last season, but he has played a mentorship role for our young core of players this season. His Memorial Cup hat-trick will be something that will be remembered by anyone associated with the Oil Kings for a long time.”
COATS FOR KIDS
The Oil Kings will be accepting donations of winter outerwear for men, women, children and infants in their home game against the Regina Pats on Sunday, Dec. 4 (4 p.m.), in partnership with United Way’s Coats for Kids and Families program.
Any fan who brings a donation item will receive a voucher for two tickets to the Oil Kings New Year’s Fireworks Frenzy game on Jan. 1 against the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Accepted donation items include: Winter coats, snow pants, toques, mitts, scarves, winter boots, and insulated work wear. All donated items must be clean and in good condition. Non-winter clothing and spring jackets will not be accepted.
E-mail: gmoddejonge@postmedia.com
On Twitter: @GerryModdejonge
Post a Comment