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.
2025-26 Recipient: Ethan MacKenzie
Most Valuable Player: Ethan MacKenzie
Ethan MacKenzie’s named is scattered around the Oil Kings record books after his tremendous 19-year-old season with the Oil Kings. Playing in 59 games this year, MacKenzie scored 22 goals and added 36 assists for 58 points. He was fourth on the Oil Kings in points, setting new career-highs in goals assists and points, more than quadrupling his previous high in goals. MacKenzie also had four game winning goals, including an overtime winner this season. His contributions at both ends of the ice were a key factor in the Oil Kings finishing third in the WHL’s Eastern Conference. MacKenzie also represented Team Canada at the 2026 World Junior Hockey Championships in Minnesota, winning bronze.
Past Recipients
2024-25: Gracyn Sawchyn
2023-24: Marc Lajoie
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.
2025-26 Recipient: Cage Smith
Kristians Pelss Memorial Award: Cage Smith
In his first full season with the Oil Kings, Smith led by example throughout the season, bringing consistent effort in the gym and on the ice. His work ethic and commitment to improvement truly exemplify the qualities that Kristians embodied as an Oil King. Smith finished the year with two goals and six assists for eight points in 34 games.
Past Recipients
2024-25: Josh Mori
2023-24: Rhys Pederson
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.
2025-26 Recipient: Rhys Pederson
Humanitarian of the Year Award: Rhys Pederson
A leader both on and off the ice, Pederson was a strong member of the community with a commitment to supporting non-profits, such as Edmonton’s Food Bank, Operation Friendship Seniors Society, and serving as a player ambassador for Hockey Gives Blood. Pederson also read in numerous local classrooms, highlighting the many ways he gives back to the community.
Past Recipients
2024-25: Marshall Finnie
2023-24: Roan Woodward
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.
2025-26 Recipient: Lukas Sawchyn
Top Scorer Award: Lukas Sawchyn
In his second season in the WHL, Sawchyn exploded offensively. Playing in all 68 games, Sawchyn scored 27 goals and added 61 assists for 88 points. His 61 assists sit third on the Oil Kings All-Time list for a single season, and his 88 points are seventh all time in a single season as well. Sawchyn was also a team-best +34 this season. Lukas joins his brother Gracyn to also win the Top Scorer Award.
Past Recipients
2024-25: Gracyn Sawchyn
2023-24: Gavin Hodnett
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.
2025-26 Recipient: Ethan MacKenzie
Top Defenceman Award: Ethan MacKenzie
In his fourth WHL season, MacKenzie was a force offensively and defensively for the Oil Kings defence core. MacKenzie scored 22 goals and added 36 assists for 58 points. He became just the second Oil King defender to scored 20 goals in a year, and the second Oil Kings blueliner with 10 powerplay goals in a season. His 58 points are tied for second-most by an Oil Kings defender in a single season, as are his four game winners this year. On top of that, his +29 led all Oil Kings defenders.
Past Recipients
2024-25: Blake Fiddler
2023-24: Marc Lajoie
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.
2025-26 Recipient: Kayden Stroeder
Top Rookie: Kayden Stroeder
Originally the fifth-overall selection in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft, Stroeder welcome himself to the WHL with a season that saw him score 13 goals and add 19 assists for 32 points. Playing mostly on the wing, but moving to centre for portions of the season, Stroeder made noticeable strides throughout the season, even scoring his first career WHL hat-trick on March 18 against Calgary, becoming just the fourth 16-year-old to scored three goals in a game.
Past Recipients
2024-25: Lukas Sawchyn
2023-24: Adam Jecho
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.
2025-26 Recipient: Josh Lee
Most Improved Player: Josh Lee
In his second season in the WHL, Lee attacked everyday with a strong work ethic and his numbers showed, scoring eight times, improving on his one goal from a year ago, and adding eight assists for 16 points, improving on his eight from his rookie season. Lee was also a +28 on the Oil Kings blueline this season.
Past Recipients
2024-25: Ethan MacKenzie
2023-24: Parker Alcos
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.
2025-26 Recipient: Dylan Dean
Scholastic Player of the Year Award: Dylan Dean
His first season in the WHL, Dean maintained an honors standing, balancing the rigorous demands of hockey and schoolwork. His commitment, discipline, and strong work ethic has set a standard for Oil Kings players.
Past Recipients
2024-25: Joe Iginla
2023-24: Rhys Pederson
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.
2025-26 Recipient: Landon Hanson
Unsung Hero of the Year Award: Landon Hanson
One of just two Oil Kings to play in all 68 games this season, Landon Hanson was a key cog in the Oil Kings successful season. He set career highs in goals, assists and points, scoring 24 times, and adding 31 assists for 55 points, all of which were inside the Top-6 of the Oil Kings leaders. Hanson also was a +32 this year, second-best on the Oil Kings.
Past Recipients
2024-25: Gavin Hodnett
2023-24: Gracyn Sawchyn
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