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.
2024-25 Recipient: Gracyn Sawchyn
Gracyn Sawchyn is the Oil Kings 2024-25 Most Valuable Player.
In his first full season with the Oil Kings, Gracyn Sawchyn led the team in goals, assists, and points. His 1.33 points-per-game as an Edmonton Oil King are the second-most in franchise history. The Florida Panthers Product also hit 200 career points in the WHL this season.
Past Recipients
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.
2024-25 Recipient: Josh Mori
Josh Mori is the 2024-25 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.
Joining the team ahead of the 2024/2025 WHL season, Josh Mori fit right in with the Oil Kings, becoming a key cog on the blue line and setting career-highs in goals, assists, and points. He was also one of three Oil Kings to play in all 68 games this season. Mori also became a fan favourite in the Oil Kings community.
Just like Kristians, you know that Josh truly loves being an Oil King.
Past Recipients
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.
2024-25 Recipient: Marshall Finnie
The Edmonton Oil Kings 2024-25 Humanitarian of the Year award recipient is Marshall Finnie.
Edmonton Oil Kings graduating forward Marshall Finnie has been a key member on and off the ice in his three-year tenure with the Oil Kings. The Lethbridge, Alta. product has been involved in numerous community events this season with the Oil Kings, and is always one of the first to put his hand up to participate. Wearing an ‘A’ this season as an Alternate Captain, Finnie’s leadership qualities certainly have not gone unnoticed. Some of his community engagements have included being a Hockey Gives Blood Ambassador, participating in Red-In-Week, and attending local minor hockey practices.
Past Recipients
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.
2024-25 Recipient: Gracyn Sawchyn
Florida Panthers prospect Gracyn Sawchyn set career-highs in goals, assists, and points this season, leading the Oil Kings in all three categories. He scored 30 goals, added 48 assists for 78 points. He’s tallied 121 points during his 91 games with the Oil Kings.
Past Recipients
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.
2024-25 Recipient: Blake Fiddler
The Oil Kings Top Defenceman of the 2024-25 season is Blake Fiddler.
Second-year defender Blake Fiddler took huge strides this season with the Oil Kings. The 17-year-old has been recognized by NHL Central Scouting, being ranked 24th among North American Skaters. Fiddler also led all Oil Kings defenders in goals, and points with 10 and 33 respectively. He was also a relied upon to play tough minutes in all situations for the Oil Kings.
Past Recipients
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.
2024-25 Recipient: Lukas Sawchyn
Lukas Sawchyn is the 2024-25 recipient of the Oil Kings Top Rookie award.
17-year-old Lukas Sawchyn burst onto the WHL scene this season for the Edmonton Oil Kings. Sawchyn scored 15 times and added 40 assists for 55 points, finishing third on the team in scoring. His 40 assists are the second-most by an Oil Kings rookie all-time, and his 55 points are tied for the second-most by an Oil Kings rookie. Sawchyn was also named in NHL Central Scouting’s Mid-Season Rankings at 119th among North American Skaters.
Past Recipients
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.
2024-25 Recipient: Ethan MacKenzie
Defenceman Ethan MacKenzie is the 2024-25 recipient of the Oil Kings Most Improved Player award.
After battling injuries last season, Ethan MacKenzie had a career-year in 2024/2025. He scored five goals and added 27 assists, surpassing his totals from his first two WHL seasons combined. He was second among Oil Kings defenders in points this season.
Past Recipients
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.
2024-25 Recipient: Joe Iginla
The Edmonton Oil Kings 2024-25 Scholastic Player of the year recipient is Joe Iginla.
In his first year in the WHL as a 16-year-old Joe Iginla was able to balance the rigors of his studies while also playing a high level of hockey with the Oil Kings.
Past Recipients
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.
2024-25 Recipient: Gavin Hodnett
Gavin Hodnett is the Oil Kings 2024-25 Unsung Hero of the year recipient.
Named the 16th Captain of the Oil Kings in October, Gavin Hodnett led by example for the Oil Kings. The 18-year-old set a new career-high in goals with 24 and was tasked with playing in all situations for the team.
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