Each season the Edmonton Oil Kings acknowledge the efforts of a number of their players for their contributions to the Club both on and off the ice. Below are the lists of Oil Kings awards recipient since their modern inception in 2007-08.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Being the most valuable player on a team is more than just scoring points or making saves. It’s motivating your teammates, sacrificing yourself to make plays or block shots, and making a difference that greatly impacts your team’s success from those efforts.
2023-24 Recipient: Marc Lajoie
Marc Lajoie presented 2023-24 MVP Award by Oil Kings General Manager Kirt Hill
Marc Lajoie is the Oil Kings 2023-24 Most Valuable Player.
Lajoie led all Oil Kings defencemen in scoring finishing off the season with 58 points (26G, 32A) which also saw him sit 3rd overall in scoring amongst all Oil King skaters.
Marc established a new Oil Kings franchise record of goals by a defenceman in a single season with 26.
Off the ice, Marc became an apparent leader in the dressing room and demonstrated the commitment required to become a successful player in the Western Hockey League.
Past Recipients
2022-23: Gavin Hodnett
2021-22: Dylan Guenther
2020-21: Sebastian Cossa
2019-20: Matthew Robertson
2018-19: Trey Fix-Wolansky
2017-18: Trey Fix-Wolansky
2016-17: Davis Koch
2015-16: Dysin Mayo
2014-15: Tristan Jarry
2013-14: Tristan Jarry
2012-13: Keegan Lowe
2011-12: Michael St. Croix
2010-11: Mark Pysyk
2009-10: Mark Pysyk
2008-09: Torrie Jung
KRISTIANS PELSS MEMORIAL AWARD
Kristians Pelss was the Edmonton Oil Kings 1st round, 19th overall pick in the 2010 CHL Import Draft. Born in Preili, Latvia, the speedy forward compiled 42 goals and 42 assists for 84 points in 126 games over two seasons for the Oil Kings. He played a key role in the Oil Kings 2011-12 WHL championship run where he had ten points in 17 games en route to an Ed Chynoweth Cup victory.
He went on to be drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the 7th round, 181 overall in the 2010 NHL Draft and showed great promise as a player with the Oil Kings, as well as the Oilers minor league affiliates in Oklahoma City (AHL) and Stockton (ECHL).
Kristians was proud to wear the Oil Kings jersey and showed it every time he stepped out onto the ice. His passion for his teammates, his love of the game, and his work ethic were second to none. Kristians Pelss passed away on June 11, 2013 in Riga, Latvia at the age of 20.
This award is earned by the Oil Kings player that best exemplifies the qualities that Kristians exhibited on and off the ice.
2023-24 Recipient: Rhys Pederson
Rhys Pederson presented 2023-24 Kristians Pelss Award by Oil Kings Head Equipment Manager Rogan Dean
Rhys Pederson is the 2023-24 recipient of the Oil Kings Kristians Pelss Memorial Award.
This award is handed out to the player who best exemplifies the traits of late Oil Kings forward Kristians Pelss, a former WHL champion with the Oil Kings and Edmonton Oilers draft pick. He was known for his commitment to hard work on the ice, as well as his dedication to be a great teammate and member of our community off the ice.
Pederson won this by demonstrating exactly what it means to be an Oil King.
Rhys came to the rink everyday wanting to work hard and improve his game. He had no bad days and enjoyed every minute he spent in the room
On and off the ice he did everything that was asked of him and held everyone accountable.
Just like Kristians, you know that Rhys truly loves being an Oil King.
Past Recipients
2022-23: Carter Kowalyk
2021-22: Carter Souch
2020-21: Jake Neighbours
2019-20: Ethan McIndoe
2018-19: Scott Atkinson
2017-18: Colton Kehler
2016-17: Davis Koch
2015-16: Aaron Irving
2014-15: Ben Carroll
2013-14: Curtis Lazar
HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Humanitarian of the Year Award is earned by the Oil Kings player who makes an outstanding contribution off the ice to the Greater Edmonton Community.
2023-24 Recipient: Roan Woodward
Roan Woodward presented 2023-24 Humanitarian of the Year Award from Social Media and Community Relations Coordinator Katie Harding
The Edmonton Oil Kings Humanitarian of the Year award recipient is Roan Woodward.
Roan has continually participated in Oil Kings community initiatives throughout the season helping build relationships between the Oil Kings organization and the greater Edmonton Community. Roan fully embodies what it means to be a community ambassador with his dedication and commitment to volunteering his time off the ice to his community.
Congratulations to Roan on this achievement and thank you for your continued effort to positively impact the community around you.
Past Recipients
2022-23: Rhett Melnyk
2021-22: Luke Prokop & Josh Williams
2020-21: Liam Keeler
2019-20: Ethan Cap
2018-19: Will Warm
2017-18: Conner McDonald
2016-17: Tyler Robertson
2015-16: Patrick Dea
2014-15: Blake Orban
2013-14: Riley Keiser
2012-13: Travis Ewanyk
2011-12: Mark Pysyk
2010-11: Adrian Van de Mosselaer
2009-10: Rhett Rachinski
2008-09: Torrie Jung
TOP SCORER AWARD
The Top Scorer Award is quite self-explanatory; earned by the player each year who finishes with the highest number of points during the Oil Kings regular season.
2023-24 Recipient: Gavin Hodnett
Gavin Hodnett presented 2023-24 Top Scorer Award by Oil Kings Head Coach Luke Pierce
Gavin Hodnett is the Oil Kings Top Scorer for the 2023-24 season after registering 70 points (23G, 47A) this season.
The second year forward had a record high season and for the second year in a row led all Oil Kings in scoring.
Congratulations Gavin on your phenomenal season.
Past Recipients
2022-23: Gavin Hodnett
2021-22: Dylan Guenther
2020-21: Jake Neighbours
2019-20: Riley Sawchuk
2018-19: Trey Fix-Wolansky
2017-18: Trey Fix-Wolansky
2016-17: Davis Koch
2015-16: Brett Pollock
2014-15: Brett Pollock
2013-14: Henrik Samuelsson
2012-13: Michael St. Croix
2011-12: Michael St. Croix
2010-11: Dylan Wruck
2009-10: Michael St. Croix
2008-09: Brenden Dowd & Jeff Lee
TOP DEFENCEMAN AWARD
The Top Defenceman Award is earned annually by the blueliner who stands out by his defensive efforts, or jumps into the rush and helps his team go on the offensive – or both.
2023-24 Recipient: Marc Lajoie
Marc Lajoie presented the 2023-24 Oil Kings Top Defenceman Award by Assistant Coach and Manager of Player Development Serge Lajoie
The Oil Kings Top Defenceman of the 2023-24 season is Marc Lajoie.
Lajoie was the only blueliner to play all 68 games for the Oil Kings this season. On top of holding down the line, Marc led all Oil Kings defencemen in scoring with 58 points (26G, 32A).
Marc became a role model for the Oil Kings young blueline both on and off the ice and became an integral part of the Oil Kings system throughout the season.
Past Recipients
2022-23: Vojtech Port
2021-22: Logan Dowhaniuk
2020-21: Matthew Robertson
2019-20: Matthew Robertson
2018-19: Conner McDonald
2017-18: Conner McDonald
2016-17: Will Warm
2015-16: Dysin Mayo
2014-15: Dysin Mayo & Ashton Sautner
2013-14: Cody Corbett & Griffin Reinhart
2012-13: Keegan Lowe
2011-12: Mark Pysyk
2010-11: Mark Pysyk
2009-10: Mark Pysyk
2008-09: Mark Pysyk
TOP ROOKIE
The Oil Kings Top Rookie Award is presented each season to a first year player who has had a positive impact on the success of the team.
2023-24 Recipient: Adam Jecho
Adam Jecho presented the 2023-24 Top Rookie Award by Video Coach and Manager of Hockey Operations Josh Mallory
Adam Jecho is the 2023-24 recipient of the Oil Kings Top Rookie award.
In his first full season in the WHL Jecho recorded 47 points (23G, 24A) in only 54 games played. He led all Oil Kings rookies in scoring and 5th amongst all Oil Kings skaters.
Jecho was drafted by the Oil Kings 3rd overall in the 2023 CHL Import Draft.
In January of 2024 Jecho was invited to the Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects game and is widely considered a top prospect for the upcoming 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
Past Recipients
2022-23: Gavin Hodnett
2021-22: Jakub Demek
2020-21: Carson Latimer
2019-20: Dylan Guenther
2018-19: Vladimir Alistrov
2017-18: Matthew Robertson
2016-17: Trey Fix-Wolansky
2015-16: Brayden Gorda
2014-15: Andrew Koep
2013-14: Aaron Irving
2012-13: Edgars Kulda
2011-12: Curtis Lazar & Martin Gernat
2010-11: Griffin Reinhart
2009-10: Michael St. Croix
2008-09: Mark Pysyk
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
The Most Improved Player Award is bestowed upon the player who proves his work ethic, dedication and mentality to constantly improve by investing time and effort into becoming team’s most improved.
2023-24 Recipient: Parker Alcos
Parker Alcos presented the 2023-24 Most Improved Player Award by Development Coach Kyle Chipchura
Defenceman Parker Alcos is the 2023-24 recipient of the Oil Kings Most Improved Player award.
Playing in his first full season in the WHL, Alcos found himself on the top defensive pairing throughout the season. The defenceman picked up 15 points (1G, 14A), while holding down the blueline and finished off the year as the 2nd highest scoring rookie amongst Oil Kings skaters.
Alcos recorded his 1st WHL goal January 1st, 2024 against the Everett Silvertips.
The 6’3 blueliner has become an integral part of the Oil Kings both on and off the ice. Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement.
Past Recipients
2022-23: Cole Miller
2021-22: Ethan Peters
2020-21: Jalen Luypen
2019-20: Jake Neighbours
2018-19: Carter Souch
2017-18: David Kope
SCHOLASTIC PLAYER OF THE YEAR
The Scholastic Player of the Year is presented annually to the Oil Kings player who demonstrates amazing ability to achieve success on the ice while balancing high marks in the classroom.
2023-24 Recipient: Rhys Pederson
Rhys Pederson presented the 2023-24 Scholastic Player of the Year award by Education Advisor Sharon Serada
The Edmonton Oil Kings 2023-24 Scholastic Player of the year recipient is Rhys Pederson.
Rhys is in grade 12 attending Salisbury Composite High, the Oil Kings franchise school. Rhys is an honor student who achieves and strives for academic excellence. Rhys embodies the spirit of a true scholar- athlete, proving how his dedication and determination can prevail in both areas. Congratulation Rhys on this remarkable achievement.
Past Recipients
2022-23: Ethan MacKenzie
2021-22: Braeden Wynne
2020-21: Ethan Peters
2019-20: Jake Neighbours
2018-19: Jake Neighbours
2017-18: Ethan Cap
2016-17: Ethan Cap
2015-16: Kyle Yewchuck
2014-15: Patrick Dea
2013-14: Dysin Mayo
2012-13: Cole Benson
2011-12: Rhett Rachinski
2010-11: Ryan Dech
2009-10: Mark Pysyk
2008-09: Rhett Rachinski
UNSUNG HERO OF THE YEAR
The Unsung Hero of the Year is given to an Oil Kings player who proved to have an outstanding season both on and off the ice.
2023-24 Recipient: Gracyn Sawchyn
Gracyn Sawchyn presented the 2023-24 Unsung Hero award by Head Athletic Therapist Jimmy McKnight
Gracyn Sawchyn is the Oil Kings 2023-24 Unsung Hero of the year recipient.
Sawchyn joined the Oil Kings in December of 2023 and made an immediate contribution both on and off the ice, writing himself in as a fan favourite here in Edmonton.
He finished the year with 64 points (19G, 45A), 43 of those coming with his time with the Oil Kings (37 games). He completed the year 2nd amongst the Oil Kings in scoring.
Past Recipients
2022-23: Marshall Finnie
2021-22: Jalen Luypen
2020-21: No recipient
2019-20: Sebastian Cossa
2018-19: Andrew Fyten
2017-18: Tomas Soustal
2016-17: Tyler Robertson
2015-16: Lane Bauer
2014-15: Luke Bertolucci
2013-14: Ashton Sautner
2012-13: Cody Corbett
2011-12: No recipient
2010-11: Travis Ewanyk
2009-10: Braeden Laroque
2008-09: Henrik Tervonen