GDB #2

 Oil Kings (1-0-0-0) vs Pats (0-2-0-0)

The Oil Kings season resumes tonight with their first look at the Regina Pats.  Last time out, Edmonton scored a very impressive 7-3 win over the rival Calgary Hitmen.  Henrik Samuelsson lead the way with four points, Cody Corbett had a pair of goals and five Oil Kings had multi-point efforts.  Their power play clicked, going 5/10 in the game, and at times the team's speed seemed too much for Calgary to handle.  The Oil Kings unveiled their new third jersey to much fanfare in an eye catching pregame ceremony.  Tonight the Kings will wear their traditional red uniforms.

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

The Pats haven't been able to earn a victory yet on the young season, as they lost both ends of a home and home with the Swift Current Broncos.  Swift outscored Regina 10-4 in the two matchups.

The Opposition:
Regina finished last season in 11th spot in the Eastern Conference, and look to be going with a youth movement this season.  They are led by Flames draft choice Morgan Klimchuk and Caps prospect Chandler Stephenson.  Regina recently released a pair of twenty year olds in Luke Fenske and Trent Ouellette.  They have one overager on their roster heading into action tonight.

Last Season:
Edmonton controlled the season series with Regina last year, winning three of the four matchups.  The Oil Kings outscored the Pats 23-7, their lone loss coming at home in a 3-2 defeat.

Season's Leaders:

Goals:
Edm- Cody Corbett (2)
Reg-  Geordie Maguire (2)

Points:
Edm- Henrik Samuelsson (4)
Reg- Chandler Stephenson, Maguire, Kyle Burroughs (2)

Wins:
Edm- Tristan Jarry (1)
Reg- Teagan Sacher, Dawson MacAuley (0)

PIMS:
Edm- Brandon Baddock (11)
Reg- Tye Hand, Braden Christoffer (11)

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Up Next: The Oil Kings will matchup with the Medicine Hat Tigers on Friday night at Rexall Place.  The team will honour the memory of former Oil King Kristians Pelss before the game.  Pelss passed away this off season.  Tonight is game two of a five game road trip for Regina.  They will visit Red Deer on Friday before facing Kootenay and Swift Current on this trip.

Drafted:
Edm: Griffin Reinhart- New York Islanders (1st, 2012), Henrik Samuelsson- Phoenix Coyotes (1st, 2012), Mitch Moroz- Oilers (2nd, 2012), Curtis Lazar- Ottawa Senators (1st, 2013), Tristan Jarry- Pittsburgh Penguins (2nd, 2013).

Reg:  Chandler Stephenson- Washington Capitols (3rd, 2012), Dmitry Sinitsyn- Dallas Stars (7th, 2012), Morgan Klimchuk- Calgary Flames (1st, 2013) Kyle Burroughs- Islanders (7th, 2013).


Injury Report:

EDM:  #15 Andrew Koep, lower body, week to week

REG:  #23 Braden Christoffer, upper body, day to day
           #34 Griffin Mumby, upper body, day to day

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Draft Watch- NHL Central Scouting Preliminary List
'A' Skaters-
'B' Skaters-
'C' Skaters- Dysin Mayo (Edm)
Goalies-

Roster Notes: The Pats named Kyle Burroughs as their new captain.  Griffin Reinhart (Islanders), and Curtis Lazar (Senators) will not play for the Oil Kings.

League Notes:  The Kootenay Ice today acquired forward Ryan Chynoweth from the Tri City Americans in exchange for a 5th round bantam pick.  He is the son of Kootenay GM Jeff Chynoweth.  The Medicine Hat Tigers announce that defenseman Tommy Vannelli will join them after leaving Minnetonka High School in Minnesota.  Vannelli is a second round pick of the St. Louis Blues.  The Anaheim Ducks have announced that they have signed Seattle Thunderbirds defenseman Shea Theodore to an entry level contract.  

Oil Kings GDB #1

 Oil Kings vs Calgary Hitmen

The Edmonton Oil Kings drop the puck on the 2013-14 season tonight when they welcome the rival Calgary Hitmen to Rexall Place.  Edmonton wrapped up the preseason with a record of 1-4 after dropping a 7-5 decision to Red Deer last week.  The Oil Kings go into action tonight looking for their franchise's 200th regular season win.  Expect an elongated pregame tonight, as the team will unveil their new black third uniforms, as well as commemorate last season's Eastern Conference title.

New Look:
Along with the new silks, the Oil Kings will have a new look lineup tonight as many players have moved on after last year.  Gone are last season's twenty year olds; TJ Foster, Trevor Cheek, and Dylan Wruck, also moving on are top scorer Michael St. Croix, Stephane Legault, Keegan Lowe, David Musil, Martin Gernat, Travis Ewanyk, and Laurent Brossoit.  Griffin Reinhart is still with the New York Islanders, while Curtis Lazar is still up with the Ottawa Senators.

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

The Opposition:
Calgary figures to be a top team this year in the WHL's Eastern Conference after finishing with 97 points last season.  The Hitmen were eliminated by the Oil Kings in a hard fought seven game Eastern Conference Championship series.  Leading the Hitmen this year will be familiar names Jaynen Rissling, Brady Brassart and Greg Chase.  Senator draft pick Chris Driedger provides solid goaltending and Jake Virtanen enters his draft season as a top prospect this year.

Last Season's Leaders:

Goals:
Edm- Curtis Lazar (38)
Cal-  Cody Sylvestor (41)

Points:
Edm- Michael St. Croix (92)
Cal- Sylvestor (90)

Wins:
Edm- Laurent Brossoit (33)
Cal- Chris Driedger (36)

PIMS:
Edm- Keegan Lowe (148)
Cal- Jaynen Rissling (122)

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Up Next: The Oil Kings enjoy a bit of an early break in the schedule, they return to action at home on Wednesday against the Regina Pats.  The season kicks off with a four game homestand for the Kings.  Calgary, meanwhile, has eight days off.  Their next game is their home opener next Saturday night versus Red Deer.

Drafted:
Edm: Griffin Reinhart- New York Islanders (1st, 2012), Henrik Samuelsson- Phoenix Coyotes (1st, 2012), Mitch Moroz- Oilers (2nd, 2012), Curtis Lazar- Ottawa Senators (1st, 2013), Tristan Jarry- Pittsburgh Penguins (2nd, 2013).

Cal:Chris Driedger- Senators (3rd, 2012), Kenton Helgesen- Anaheim Ducks (7th, 2012), Jaynen Rissling- Washington Capitals (7th, 2012), Greg Chase- Oilers (7th, 2013).


Injury Report:

EDM:  #15 Andrew Koep, lower body, TBA

CAL: none

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Roster Notes: Hitmen forward Pavel Padakin will not play tonight as he serves the final game of his suspension from a pre-season hit.  Brady Brassart is still at pro camp (Tampa Bay).