10 years later: Celebrating the Edmonton Oil Kings’ 2014 Memorial Cup triumph

“I could cry right now.”

Uttered by former Edmonton Oil Kings head coach Derek Laxdal, the impassioned response was a sentiment that rang true across the entire Oil Kings ranks after winning the 2014 Memorial Cup in London, Ont.

Not only was their tournament triumph one filled with charged emotion, but it was also one that the Oil Kings weren’t the favourites to win.

Earning a spot in the CHL’s year-end tournament was a challenge in and of itself. Facing the Western Conference Champions, the Portland Winterhawks, in the 2014 WHL Championship Series, the Oil Kings quickly found themselves trailing in their best-of-seven series, 2-0, following their opening two games at Veterans Memorial Colosseum in Portland, Ore.

Bouncing back with three-straight wins of their own Edmonton hoped to close out the series in front of a home crowd for Game 6, but an overtime tally from Keegan Iverson and the Winterhawks would force a Game 7 back in the Glass Palace.

Following a first-period goal from former Winterhawks forward and current Seattle Kraken skater Oliver Bjorkstrand, the Oil Kings also found themselves trailing early in the ultimate game of the series.

Yet, nothing would keep the Central Division club out for long.

Rattling off four unanswered goals in the second period, the Oil Kings secured their Game 7 victory, along with their second WHL Championship, and a spot in the Memorial Cup.

But, their start at the CHL-wide bash was less than ideal too.

Edmonton completed the preliminary portion of the tournament with a record of 1-2. Their only win came against the hosts London Knights – routing them 5-2.

Their lone triumph against the Knights slid the Oil Kings into third place – guaranteeing them a spot in the sem-final round against the QMJHL Champions, the Val d’Or Foreurs.

This is where the Memorial Cup record books forever changed, as the Oil Kings and Foreurs set the record for the longest game in tournament history. Deadlocked at three goals apiece following 60 minutes of regulation time, the two clubs battled for two more periods before Oil Kings forward and future NHLer Curtis Lazar fired home the game-winner in triple overtime.

Along with Lazar, the 2014 Oil Kings roster was home to four other skaters who’ve seen time in the NHL. The Memorial Cup-winning team boasted the likes of Dysin Mayo, Griffin Reinhart, Henrik Samuelsson, and two-time Stanley Cup Champion, Tristan Jarry.

Edmonton’s bench boss Derek Laxdal was later named an assistant coach of the Dallas Stars for parts of three seasons.

It was at the 2014 Memorial Cup Final against the Guelph Storm that the Oil Kings finally took control of the tournament. Led by a five-point performance by forward Henrik Samuelsson, the Oil Kings captured their first Memorial Cup in modern franchise history with a 6-3 victory on May 25, 2014.

The win was even more emotional for Samuelsson, seven of his teammates, and the entire organization. In June 2013, their former Oil Kings teammate Kristians Pelss passed away following a diving accident in his home country of Latvia.

For Samuelsson and his teammates, the Memorial Cup victory was dedicated to the late Pelss.

“He was a good buddy of mine,” Samuelsson said post-game.

“I know he was watching over us today and he definitely had a part of it.”

The Oil Kings’ win over the Storm also marked the last time the WHL representatives returned home as the Memorial Cup victors.

Now, the current WHL Champions, the Moose Jaw Warriors, look to be the first WHL club in 10 years to seize the Memorial Cup when they open their tournament on Friday, May 24 against the Saginaw Spirit.