FROM THE FARM presented by Alberta Chicken: Kayden Stroeder
Edmonton, Alta. – Edmonton Oil Kings prospect Kayden Stroeder had a tremendous first taste in the WHL this season.
Drafted in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft, fifth overall, Stroeder joined the club in December for his first taste of WHL regular season hockey. The 15-year-old said there was a bit of an adjustment when he joined the team but quickly got comfortable with the group.
“All the teammates have been really good to me,” Stroeder said. “The coaching staff and everything, playing in Rogers Place it’s just such an amazing rink in front of the best fans.”
Stroeder made his debut with the Oil Kings on December 14 against the Swift Current Broncos at home, earning one assist and a +3 rating. He would play in the final two games before the Holiday break as well before rejoining the club prior to the new year.
First WHL game and first WHL point for Kayden Stroeder! That’s a night he won’t forget! 👑 pic.twitter.com/LymzLblqMd
— Edmonton Oil Kings (@EdmOilKings) December 15, 2024
After Christmas was when Stroeder hit another gear in his first stint with the Oil Kings as on December 27, the 5’10”, 146lbs forward scored his first two WHL goals, along with an assist in Edmonton’s win over Red Deer. That was followed up two nights later by a one goal, one assist effort at home against Red Deer as well.
Make that 3⃣ goals for 15-year old forward, Kayden Stroeder.@EdmOilKings pic.twitter.com/pcwmw8x51W
— The WHL (@TheWHL) December 30, 2024
Overall, in his six games this season, Stroeder has three goals and three assists for six points which is the most by a player in his 15-year-old season in modern Oil Kings franchise history. He also became the first Oil Kings 15-year-old in modern franchise history to earn three points in a game, and just the third player of that age to score twice in a game.
“As a staff, we are very excited about the strides that Kayden has shown over the first half of the season,” said Oil Kings Director of Scouting Michael Chan. “With both his club team and with Team Saskatchewan at the WHL Cup, he has shouldered a lot of offensive responsibility and has responded well to the tighter-checking environments.
“In his call-ups with our team, he showed a very good two-way work ethic and was able to show his dynamic skillset with the positions he worked himself in to and contribute to the team success.”
Prior to his stellar debut in the WHL, Stroeder helped Team Saskatchewan win Bronze at the WHL Cup in October and had nine points in five games, including a hat-trick in the bronze medal game.
Stroeder says he hopes this first stint in the WHL helps him moving forward in his WHL career.
“I think it just helps being more confident and not being so nervous and making mistakes and stuff like that,” he said. “Because you’ve already been here for a little bit.”
Out of Lanigan, Sask., Stroeder is currently honing his craft with the Saskatoon Contacts in the Saskatchewan U18 AAA Hockey League (SMAAAHL). He’s played in 26 games and has 18 goals and 23 assists for 41 points which leads his team in all three categories. Stroeder is currently tied for sixth in the SMAAAHL in points and goals.
While the offence jumps off the page on Stroeders profile, he says his game is played at both ends of the ice.
“I think I’m a good 200-foot guy who likes to get a little rough sometimes,” he said. “But may be able to score and can make plays for my teammates.”
Playing in the WHL is certainly a unique experience, but Stroeder said that being from a small town like Lanigan, moving away is part of playing a high level of hockey.
“You’ve got to move away at a certain age to play Triple-A,” Stroeder said. “So it’s good to tester this year to be with the Contacts and then coming up here, you kind of have a little bit more experience. So it definitely helps.”
The 2009-born forward is certainly one of the many exciting prospects in the system for the Oil Kings moving forward.
–
The Oil Kings are Edmonton’s first choice for family fun with great seats starting at $20!
The Oil Kings are back at home on January 24 for Wrestling Night! Wrestling and Hockey all in one place, it doesn’t get much better!
Head to OilKings.ca to secure your seat today!
