We are 17 days away from the commencement of the 2025-26 Edmonton Oil Kings season. The number 17 has a special spot in Edmonton Hockey history due to the feats of Jari Kurri. Let's recollect the history of jersey number 17 for the Oil Kings.
2007-08 through 2009-10
Michael Burns got into six games in his rookie season for the inaugural edition of the modern day Oil Kings. Burns collected an assist in his first game played on December 12th. The Edmontonian would play two more seasons for the Club finishing with 10 goals and 26 assists. Burns was traded to Vancouver where he would play with his brother Nathan.
2010-11
Mark Reners played his first two seasons in the WHL for Lethbridge. He was acquired in January of 2011 from the Vancouver Giants. Reners posted 11 points in 19 regular season games but only played in one playoff game.
2011-12
Jordan Peddle joined the Oil Kings three weeks into the season from Swift Current. Peddle put up 22 points in 66 regular season games. Jordan then exploded for 13 points in 22 playoff games including the shorthanded game winner in Game 1 of the WHL Finals. If you frequent hockeyfights.com you will find quite a few examples of Mr. Peddle.
2012-13
Luke Bertolucci played his entire WHL career for the Oil Kings. Only in his rookie season did he wear number 17. He scored as many goals (2) in the 19 playoffs as he did in 41 regular season appearances.
2013-14 & 2014-15
Brandon Ralph had the unique stat line of 8 goals and 2 assists in his rookie season. The Fort McMurray born Ralph evened that stat line out in his sophomore season with 5 goals and 2 assists. Brandon would not collect a playoff point in 11 appearances.
2015-16 & 2016-17
6'5" Jesse Roach was acquired from the Vancouver Giants in November 2015. The article lists him at 6'4" so the 18 must have grew while indulging in Edmonton's donair and green onion cake scene. In 96 total games played for the Oil Kings, Roach finished with 10 points.
2017-18 & 2018-19
Brendan Semchuk was acquired in January 2018 from the Vancouver Giants. He put up 7 points in 16 games. Semchuk was traded to the Kootenay Ice in November 2018.
2019-20 - 2021-22
The 2021 Ottawa Senators fourth round draft pick Carson Latimer wore the number 17 for parts of three seasons for the Oil Kings. Latimer scored a goal in his first ever WHL game versus Moose Jaw. His official rookie season, Carson registered 16 points in 22 games. On December 1st, 2021 Latimer was a key piece in the trade that brought defenseman Kaiden Guhle from Prince Albert.
2021-22 - current
The 16th captain in Oil Kings history played his first game December 17, 2021 potting an assist versus Swift Current. In 2022-23 Gavin Hodnett won the Oil Kings Most Valuable Player Team Award and the Top Scorer Award (which he'd win again in '23-24). Hodnett has averaged over a point per game over the last two seasons including his first taste of playoff hockey as a starter in '24-25 with 8 points in 7 games.