2024 WHL Graduates – Edmonton Oil Kings
Over the summer, the Western Hockey League will be celebrating the WHL Graduates from the 2023-24 season in a 22-part, team-by-team series.
We continue with the graduating players from the Edmonton Oil Kings.
Skyler Bruce (F)
Hometown: Winnipeg, Man.
WHL Career Stats: 209 GP – 49G-84A–133 points
WHL Draft: 2018 – Second Round, 29th Overall (Kootenay Ice)
Selected in the second round of the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft by the Kootenay Ice, Skyler Bruce spent parts of six seasons cutting his teeth at the WHL level. Making appearances with the Kootenay Ice, Winnipeg ICE, Vancouver Giants, and, finally, the Edmonton Oil Kings, Bruce racked up a total of 209 WHL regular season games while collecting 133 points. His junior hockey debut came on November 30, 2018, however, the skilled forward didn’t become a WHL mainstay until the 2021-22 regular season, when he suited up in 68 games with his hometown team, the ICE. In January 2023, the Manitoban headed west for a season-long stint with the Vancouver Giants. Following a 2022-23 campaign that saw him record 15 goals and 31 assists, Bruce, once again, hit the road. Landing in Edmonton, Alta., the forward capped off his last season in the Western League on a great note. The 20-year-old bested his previous, single-season point total (formerly 37) by recording 39 points (15 goals–24 assists) in 43 games with the Giants and Edmonton Oil Kings.
Bruce is currently committed to play for the University of Manitoba Men’s Hockey Program for the 2024-25 season.
Who's cutting onions!😢
Soon-to-be WHL graduates Skyler Bruce, Marc Lajoie, and Ty Nash all play a role in the final @EdmOilKings goal of the season! pic.twitter.com/c4rSdewJNl
— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 25, 2024
Marc Lajoie (D)
Hometown: St. Albert, Alta.
WHL Career Stats: 283 GP – 52G-99A–151 points
WHL Draft: 2018 – First Round, 14th Overall (Tri-City Americans)
Marc Lajoie has been a familiar face around the WHL for the last five seasons, suiting up for both the Tri-City Americans and the Edmonton Oil Kings. Initially selected with the 14th overall pick at the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft by the Americans, Lajoie made his debut during the 2019 WHL Playoffs – skating in Game 3, 4, and 5 of the first round against the Everett Silvertips. Lajoie then made his regular-season debut on September 20, 2019, and collected his first career goal just six games later. The former first-round selection spent four seasons in Kent, Wash., making 215 appearances in the Ams’ red, blue, and white uniforms. During that time, the blueliner amassed 93 points (26 goals–67 assists). Ahead of the 2022-23 season, a veteran Lajoie was named the 33rd captain in Americans’ history. In his final season of WHL eligibility, Lajoie was dealt to his home province of Alberta as the newest member of the Edmonton Oil Kings. It was with the Oil Kings where Lajoie posted his best season to date. Named an alternate captain for the season, the 6-foot-6 defenceman recorded 26 goals and 32 assists for 58 points. His 26 tallies also set an Oil Kings record for most goals in a single season by a defenceman.
It's a sweet, sweet sendoff for @EdmOilKings graduate, Marc Lajoie!💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/iAVS83QMgZ
— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 24, 2024
Aidan Litke (F)
Hometown: Winnipeg, Man.
WHL Career Stats: 132 GP – 35G-43A–78 points
WHL Draft: 2018 – Sixth Round, 129th Overall (Portland Winterhawks)
Selected in the sixth round of the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft, forward Aiden Litke entered the WHL as a late-round steal for the Portland Winterhawks. He made his WHL debut on March 18, 2021, and scored his first career goal on March 20, 2021. Litke played a total of three seasons with the Winterhawks organization, recording 67 points (31 goals–46 assists) in 123 games. The crafty forward improved his offensive production each season, besting his highest points-per-game totals every year. In 2022-23, he recorded his career-high in points by logging 36 points (13 goals–23 assists) in 50 appearances. Heading into his final season in the WHL, the 20-year-old was dealt to the Edmonton Oil Kings. He began the 2023-24 regular season blisteringly hot, recording four goals and seven assists in his first nine appearances. Unfortunately, Litke’s farewell season was cut short as an injury forced him to miss the remainder of the season. In 132 games between the Winterhawks and Oil Kings, Litke amassed 35 goals and 43 assists for 78 points.
In his first game as an Oil King, Aidan Litke has his first goal as an Oil King!@EdmOilKings | #WHLOpeningWeek pic.twitter.com/lrxYOFxS3M
— The WHL (@TheWHL) September 23, 2023
Ty Nash (F)
Hometown: Scottsdale, Ariz.
WHL Career Stats: 257 GP – 68G-98A–166 points
WHL Draft: 2018 – Ninth Round, 183rd Overall (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
For over 250 games, Western Hockey League patrons were treated to the high-offence act consistently produced by Ty Nash. Selected in the ninth round of the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft by the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Nash quickly proved to be an integral part of the Hurricanes roster. His first full season was a 59-game stint in 2019-20 that saw him rack up six goals and nine assists for 15 points. In total, Nash spent parts of three seasons in Bridge City, before moving east to join the Winnipeg ICE following a trade in September 2022. Nash’s offensive output followed him to Manitoba, as the forward collected 44 points (20 goals–24 assists) in 63 games with the ICE. While in Manitoba, Nash reached the 2023 WHL Championship as a member of the ICE. In 18 post-season appearances during the team’s run, Nash recorded three points (two goals–one assist). Heading into his 20-year-old season, Nash, once again, relocated to a new home. Acquired in a trade by the Edmonton Oil Kings, Nash spent his final season lighting the lamp in Southern Alberta. In what was his most impressive season to date, the Arizonian boasted 56 points (21 goals–35 assists) in 50 games with the Oil Kings. This was the first time Nash bragged over one point-per-game (1.12) in his WHL tenure.
Ty Nash puts a lid on the @EdmOilKings' first period with a HAT-TRICK!😳 pic.twitter.com/TsdeeqyV3U
— The WHL (@TheWHL) December 28, 2023
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