3 Giants Alumni to Compete in 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Langley, B.C. – The Vancouver Giants would like to recognize their three alumni who will compete in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Evander Kane (Edmonton Oilers), Brett Kulak (Edmonton Oilers) and Jordan Martinook (Carolina Hurricanes).
The 2024 Playoffs get underway on Saturday, April 20, with Martinook and the Hurricanes taking on the New York Islanders in the first round, while Kane, Kulak and the Oilers will take on the Los Angeles Kings in the opening round for the third straight post-season.
CLICK FOR FULL 1ST ROUND STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE
Evander Kane – Edmonton Oilers
Kane, 32, recorded his ninth 20-goal campaign in the NHL this past season, tallying 24 goals and 44 points in 77 games. The Oilers finished second in the Pacific Division with 104 points, one win shy of 50 (49-27-6).
Over his 15-year career, he has now played 930 career regular season games and 56 playoff games. The Vancouver native has 326 career goals and 617 career points.
The Oilers are hoping Kane can regain his form from two post-seasons ago, when he had 13 goals in 15 playoff games, helping the Oilers reach the Western Conference Final. Last spring, Kane had three goals and five points in 12 playoff games in the Oilers second-round loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, who went on to win the Stanley Cup.
As a Giant, Kane played two full seasons (2007-09), jumping from 24 goals and 41 points in his rookie season to 48 goals and 96 points in 2008-09, which led to him being the 4th overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. With 73 career goals as a Giant, Kane ranks 12th in all-time goals for the franchise.
Brett Kulak – Edmonton Oilers
Kulak, 30, played in all 82 games for the Oilers for the second straight year, recording three goals and 16 points. He reached the 100-point plateau in his career with an assist during the Oilers final regular season game last night (April 18) against Colorado.
The Edmonton, AB native has 21 goals and 79 assists in 498 career NHL regular season games. Kulak has 11 career playoff points in 51 post-season games.
As a Giant, Kulak played three full seasons (2011-14), culminating in a standout 60-point campaign in 2013-14, during which he was also an alternate captain. He was selected by the Flames in the fourth round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Jordan Martinook – Carolina Hurricanes
Martinook, 31, is also coming off a season where he played in all 82 games. The Brandon, MB product recorded 14 goals and 32 points, the second-highest point total of his NHL career, as the Hurricanes recorded their third consecutive 50-win campaign (52-23-7, 111 points).
In 641 career regular season games over nine NHL seasons, Martinook now has 197 career points (80G-117A).
The gritty forward had an impressive post-season one year ago, where he tallied 12 points in 15 playoff games for the Hurricanes. Carolina was swept in the Eastern Conference Final last spring by the Florida Panthers.
As a Giant, Martinook scored 51 goals and 41 assists for 92 points during his two seasons with the club from 2010-12. Following his 40-goal campaign in 2011-12, the (then) Phoenix Coyotes made him a second-round selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
2023-24 Regular Season
Eight former Giants played in at least one NHL game during the 2023-24 season:
- Zack Ostapchuk: Made NHL Debut for Ottawa Senators March 12, 2024 (Played for the Giants 2019-23)
- Justin Sourdif: Made NHL Debut for Florida Panthers Oct. 16, 2023 (Played for the Giants 2018-22)
- Bowen Byram: 11-18-29 in 73 GP for Buffalo Sabres/Colorado Avalanche (Played for the Giants 2016-20)
- Brett Kulak: 3-13-16 in 82 GP for Edmonton Oilers (Played for the Giants 2011-14)
- Jordan Martinook: 14-18-32 in 82 GP for Carolina Hurricanes (Played for the Giants 2010-12)
- Brendan Gallagher: 16-15-31 in 77 GP for Montreal Canadiens (Played for the Giants 2009-12)
- Evander Kane: 24-20-44 in 77 GP for Edmonton Oilers (Played for the Giants 2007-09)
- Milan Lucic: 0-2-2 in 4 GP for Boston Bruins (Played for the Giants 2005-07)