Sure the political landscape of Junior A hockey in Canada is in turmoil with the changes to NCAA eligibility but that has not affected the hockey in the Western Hockey League. The Eastern Conference features an absolutely ferocious battle for playoff seeding as the number one seed Medicine Hat Tigers just split a two game series with the Edmonton Oil Kings to hold onto their tenuous 3-pt lead. The loss places the Oil Kings in 7th place, one point behind the Saskatoon Blades and Brandon Wheat Kings and four points behind the Prince Albert Raiders.

Those three teams represent three of the four games coming up this week for the Oil Kings. The opportunity to climb into the 5th place is more plausible than sliding down to 8th. That said this will be a tough trip.

Interesting side note, all the above losses were in the 2024 portion and all the wins in the 2025 portion of the 24-25 season.

Key Players

Since retuning from injury on February 15th, Gracyn Sawchyn has 3 goals and 7 points in 4 games. The Florida Panthers draft pick leads the Oil Kings with 66 points in 43 games played. Gracyn is also tied on the team for second in penalty minutes. He is being referred to by his first name as his brother Lukas also plays with the Oil Kings. Fans are hopeful the Lukas is able to re-join the Club on this road trip but as most WHL teams, that information is kept internal.

Roan Woodward is the customary winger for G. Sawchyn and has 2 goals and 5 points in the four games they have been reunited. Woodward needs only one goal and two assists to unlock the 20-goal, 30-assist achievements.

St. Louis Blues draft pick Adam Jecho has 6 goals and 11 points in his last six games played. Four of those games have been without his "Czech Mate" Miroslav Holinka who has been dealing with an upper body issue. Jecho and Holinka were teammates for Team Czechia in the World Juniors. Listed at 6'5", big number 43 is easy to spot on your screen when he is on the ice.

Defenceman Blake Fiddler is ranked 24th among North American Skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s Mid-Term Rankings. Already playing at a high level, Fiddler has further elevated his game since the team lost Ethan MacKenzie (ranked 163rd by Central Scouting) due injury on February 15th. Equally willing and able to grind opposing skaters to a halt in the corners and skate the puck up leading the rush, Fiddler is just plain fun to watch.

Definitely more fun than watching the news!

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