FROM THE FARM presented by Alberta Chicken: Parker Snell
Edmonton, Alta. – Edmonton Oil Kings goaltending prospects Parker Snell certainly burst onto the scene in the Western Hockey League (WHL) this season.
The 2008-born netminder made his first career WHL start this season on November 30 as the Oil Kings hosted the Prince George Cougars. The St. Albert, Alta. product stopped 29 shots, including 12 in the third period to earn his first WHL win, and shutout.
“It was pretty cool,” Snell said. “It was kind of nice to get my feet wet, so to speak. The guys, they’ve been great all along. First couple shots, just clear shots, I saw them well and it was great to get the first one out of the way and kind of move on from there.”
At the time, Snell was 16 years, 7 month, and 9 days old, making him the youngest Oil Kings netminder to record a shutout. He also is just the second Oil Kings goalie to record a shutout in his WHL debut, joining Sebastian Cossa.
First career start, first career win, first career shutout.
PARKER SNELL SOAK IT IN!! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/lBMIBkJ8Qr
— Edmonton Oil Kings (@EdmOilKings) December 1, 2024
Snell had joined the Oil Kings throughout the season when the team needed another netminder due to injury or otherwise. He was normally not called upon for work in those games where he would backup, although that changed on March 7 when the Kelowna Rockets were in town.
With the Oil Kings down 3-2, 14:07 into the first period, Snell entered the game in relief and put up a wall. He stopped 25 shots in relief, including 13 in the second period to earn the win, as the Oil Kings would score four unanswered goals for the 6-3 victory.
Snell said coming in relief is just part of the job of a goaltender.
“Nervewracking of course,” he said. “Kind of part of the role, part of the position you play. It’s kind of what you sign up for and what you live for, so I love every second of it.”
Through two career WHL games now, Snell has stopped 54 shots in 106 minutes of ice time.
Originally a second-round selection, 34th overall in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft by the Oil Kings, Snell played this past season with Okanagan Hockey Academy Edmonton’s U18 Prep team. In 20 games, Snell held a 9-10-1 record with a 3.19 goals-against-average and a .922 save percentage, along with one shutout. He was top-10 in the CSSHL U18 ranks in save percentage and total saves on the season.
Snell also cleaned up in CSSHL U18 Awards this season, winning the leagues Top Goalie, as well as the MVP Award. He is the first male to ever win a CSSHL MVP as a goaltender.
The 2024/25 CSSHL U18 Prep MVP Award Winner as presented by the WHL and voted by the coaches:
Parker Snell, OHA Edmonton
Snell becomes the first ever male student-athlete to win a CSSHL MVP Award as a goaltender
WATCH–> https://t.co/hGD2A76Ls8 pic.twitter.com/sSNVylGu5T
— CSSHL (@CSSHL) April 25, 2025
Snell said this season was one of the best in his hockey career so far, facing a lot of shots and more high-danger scoring chances.
“I think that was really good for me,” Snell added. “Just battling through that and finding ways to win games.”
Snell also saw two games of action at the Circle K Classic in Calgary, earning a .924 save percentage.
Snell is certainly a player to watch in the Edmonton Oil Kings crease moving forward.
