On November 7, 2024, the CHL and the NCAA removed restrictions that previously prevented CHL players from being eligible to play NCAA Division I hockey, opening the door to a whole new world of opportunities for amateur athlete. CHL players like Marshall Finnie and Rylen Roersma were able to move from the Edmonton Oil Kings to NCAA teams to continue their hockey careers, since they did not have any pro hockey offers to pursue. This was a fantastic use of the newly opened pathways.

The flip side of the deal, however, has been looming for the past couple months as we have witnessed top tier CHL players choosing to leave the CHL to play their draft-eligible (or later) seasons in the NCAA. This is a giant boost for NCAA hockey, as it will bring a new level of competition and growth, but it has already begun hurting Canadian hockey teams and another stone has been cast, this time in the direction of our Edmonton Oil Kings.

On August 25th our very own Lukas Sawchyn announced his commitment to play the 2026-27 season at Arizona State University. Sawchyn, a 2007-born forward, is currently entering his second full season with the Oil Kings. He would have had 2 more seasons of CHL eligibility, but he is now choosing to forego them in favor of going to play college hockey in the U.S. So what does this mean for the Oil Kings’ future, and their recently re-opened championship window? Let’s take a look.

The Brothers' Final Run?

I already did a deep dive into Lukas’ brother Gracyn, and where he will ultimately play this season (Here). Lukas only having one more season left in Edmonton now adds another wrinkle to the potential story of Gracyn coming back for a final WHL season. Could the stars be lining up for the Sawchyn Brothers to make one more run at a WHL Championship together? I’m not sold on it, but the story continues to drive intrigue around Oil Kings fans.

Gracyn at 20, Lukas at 18, two of the top 3 point scorers from last season’s Edmonton Oil Kings are both very important pieces in the puzzle that coach Jason Smith and GM Kirt Hill are building together. They have excelled in every opportunity together, being the most important line on the ice nearly every night, and the team was not the same when one of the two was missing.

For the Oil Kings and the Sawchyn family, giving them one last season to run it back together, to play a final season as linemates and teammates, and to chase an opportunity at one of the hardest trophies to win in sports, the Memorial Cup would be a storybook ending. 

A Thinning Ice Sheet

With all of the NCAA Commitments that have been announced since the restrictions were removed, the WHL (and CHL overall) talent pool has taken a step backwards for the coming season. 2026 projected first overall pick Gavin McKenna is gone from the Medicine Hat Tigers, same for projected top draft pick Keaton Verhoff of the Victoria Royals, and Jackson Smith of the Tri-City Americans. Top prospects that have already been drafted like Ryder Ritchie and Cayden Lindstrom (Medicine Hat), and Roger McQueen (Brandon) are also gone. The Prince Albert Raiders, after eliminating the Oil Kings in last years playoffs, have lost goalie Max Hildebrand, center Thomas Mrsic, and 3 other players for this season.

The route to a WHL Championship just became clearer, and the Oil Kings window of opportunity is right now. Retaining the same team that got them to the playoffs last year, only losing the over-age players who graduated, adding a coach that is a proven winner, and bringing in new names to fill the holes is a winning path forward. The OHL and QMJHL are facing the same issues of star names making the jump to college, so this season while the CHL figures out how to adapt to these changes is the time to strike. It’s time to put all the cards on the table, and go all-in for another championship run with this roster.

The Throne Won't Wait

The Edmonton Oil Kings situation is common to the nature of the CHL merry-go-round. They are 3 years removed from a WHL Championship, they’ve been to the bottom of the standings and they have built themselves back to being a contender. This championship window may not be open for long, though. With Lukas leaving next season, Gavin Hodnett in his 19 year old season, Gracyn already with one foot out the door, and others like Jecho, Holinka, Alcos, Fiddler, and even newcomer Max Curran eyeing bigger futures, next year’s team could look very different the one we’ll be watching this season.

Joe Iginla, Kayden Stroeder, Cage Smith, Noa Ta’amu, Josh Lee, and Parker Snell will be the veterans tasked with leading this team into future seasons. The here and now is the time to go for it. Don’t wait for the window to close and be left with a young roster still adjusting to the CHL. Take advantage of the veterans while they’re here. With a loaded 18-19 year old core of stars, this is the time to make a run and set the tone for the next era of Oil Kings hockey.

This team has an opportunity to set an example for new draftees like Holden Wouters, Christopher Kokkoris, Cole Landreville, and Carter Nash so that when they arrive in Edmonton in the coming years, they enter a winning program with a championship mentality. Don’t bring them into a franchise that accepts mediocrity. Bring them onto a team that celebrates winning and plans to do it again.