Forwards

Leading the way up front is our captain, and the leading returning scorer, Gavin Hodnett. His 62 points last season were second to only Gracyn Sawchyn. Alongside Gavin we will see the return of Lukas Sawchyn as he looks to improve on his stellar 55 point first WHL season, this time without his brother beside him. Adam Jecho (53 points in 56 games) and Miroslav Holinka (45 points in 47 games) will both start the season at NHL Training camps, but should both rejoin the Oil Kings by early October. Their absence will surely be felt while they are away, but the impact should be noticeable when they return with some more NHL Experience under their belts. Max Curran was an offseason acquisition from the Tri-City Americans who comes highly touted and already at an NHL Camp as well. He had 22 goals and 74 points for Tri-City last season, and added an additional 3 points in 5 playoff games. His arrival, also likely into October, should ease the blow of losing Gracyn from the top line.

Down the depth chart, there are a lot more players who are poised to have standout seasons. Landon Hanson is entering his third full season with the Oil Kings, and has largely been used as a depth, energy player alongside Marshall Finnie through his first 2 seasons. If this year’s preseason is any indicator he is looking to be a bigger playmaker in the new season, as he was the centerpiece of the powerplay’s success when he was in the lineup, and the powerplay faltered when he was out of the lineup. First round picks Joe Iginla and Kayden Stroeder both had excellent preseasons, playing in all 4 games and sharing the goal scoring between them. Iginla came with high expectations based on name-value, but Stroeder has skyrocketed the expectations on him by being the 1st star of the preseason.

While Holinka, Jecho, and Curran finish their time at NHL Camps, there will be some roster openings available for other names to fight for their spot to remain once those others return. Center depth is deep, with Curran, Jecho, Holinka, Hanson, and Stroeder all listed down the middle, surely at least one of them will be playing on a wing and making it difficult for any new arrivals to slide into a spot. Any listed centers making the roster will need to start on a wing before earning their spot in the middle. Left Wing could be the spot to see some of those players find their place, as Hodnett and the returning Luke Powell are the only listed LW on the roster currently. Stroeder could very likely see some time on the left side, as could 2023 Draft Pick Cage Smith or new signing Dylan Dean. Dean did impress in preseason, with 3 point in 3 games, and likely has the inside track to the opening night roster.

Right Wing is another heavily loaded side, with not a ton of wiggle room. Sawchyn and Iginla lead the crop of wingers, followed closely by returnee Jack Toogood. Offseason addition Poul Anderson is joining the team after a solid season with the Sherwood Park Crusaders in the BCHL (59 points in 51 games), but he did not get into any preseason games. 2009-born rookie Jensen Marsh has impressed in preseason with a goal on his tally after 4 games played. The final RW spot could end up going to a listed center as well, simply based on depth chart needs, and player skill levels. New signing Andrew O’Neill is freshly returned from Edmonton Oilers rookie camp, and his best chance of securing a roster spot may be on the right side, 2005-born Brady Craik got 3 games with the Oil Kings last year and is looking to increase his role, 2022 top draft pick Presley Kerner is back and healthy after missing all of last year with an injury, and 2023 draft pick Matt Williams is still in the discussion and trying to earn a full time place on this roster. 

All things considered, this forward roster is as deep as it’s ever looked. A lot of skilled players capable of playing up and down the lineup, and a lot of experience to bring to the ice. Here’s my best educated prediction of what our lines will look like for opening night:

Obviously this lineup is less than ideal, with Jecho, Holinka, and Curran missing. There looks to be enough skill and firepower too still remain productive, and a hot start for Sawchyn, Iginla, and Stroeder would definitely help carry this team into October.

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