Friday, August 30, 2013

Oil Kings sign six players

Press Release

Edmonton, AB — The Edmonton Oil Kings announced the signing Friday of six players to WHL Standard Player Agreements.

The Oil Kings inked listed players Lane Bauer, 17, Brayden Brown, 16, and Garan Magnes, 16, as well as 2012 draft pick Jesse Mills, 16 and 2013 picks Jordan Dawson, 15, and Kyle Yewchuk, 15.

Bauer was listed by the Oil Kings after an impressive showing at training camp in 2011. The forward from Anchorage, AK possesses a strong two-way game and a lot of skill.

“Lane’s player on our list for a couple years, and we’re very happy that he decided to come to the Oil Kings,” said General Manager Randy Hansch. “Lane’s a honest, hard-working two-way player that can produce some offensive numbers and competes any time he’s on the ice.”

Brown, a centre out of Calgary, impressed the Edmonton brass with a strong showing in back-to-back training camps to earn an invite.

“It’s a good story: he came to camp last year, went back to his club team in Calgary and just progressed throughout the year,” Hansch said. “He earned it honestly. He came to camp this year and made us make a decision.”

Magnes put up 35 points in 32 games as a forward for the South Side Athletic Club last season in midget, and was another player who impressed as training camp.

“He had stages in his year last year where he just kept on improving and improving, and even from the summer time he took another step,” Hansch said.

All defencemen, Mills, Yewchuk and Dawson give the Oil Kings a trio of young blueliners with size and a variety of skills, Hansch explained.

“We’re fortunate all three kids have got size, and they all have a different element, which is a good mixture to have,” he said.

Mills was the Oil Kings’ fourth round pick (88th overall) in the 2012 Bantam Draft. The 6’5” defenceman played for the Okanagan Rockets last season.

Yewchuk (third round, 64th overall) and Dawson (fourth round, 86th overall) were back-to-back selections in the 2013 draft. Yewchuk checks in at 6’3”, 179 pounds and Dawson at 6’1”, 164.

“We like their growth potential, and we’re just very happy they’re part of the Oil Kings,” said Hansch.

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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