Photo by: Andy Devlin
December 3rd, 2023
Rogers Place/Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
The decimated Oil Kings took on the Moose Jaw Warriors this afternoon, suffering a 4-1 lose at the hands of the third-best team in the Eastern Conference. Two of the Oil Kings top 3 prospects for the upcoming draft, Adam Jecho and Ethan Mackenzie, were out of the lineup due to injury.
Edmonton – Blake Fiddler (RHD)
July 9, 2007 (2025 NHL Draft Eligible)
The 2025 draft-eligible Fiddler was one of the more notable players tonight, displaying his defensive capabilities. He uses his reach well and does a good job at keeping stick on puck when defending below the circle. I did notice, however, that he was more likely to use his stick than use his body defensivly, which at times didn’t work for him as he would then lose his man too easily. Fiddler also needs to get stronger as he would get knocked over a little too easily, especially along the boards when trying to protect the puck or pin it along the boards.
In terms of his skating ability, Fiddler showed he has the capability to get the puck up with some nice rushes which I would like to see him do more often. I do think his first three steps need a bit of work as he was lacking real explosion out of his first step.
Edmonton – Hudson Perry (G)
May 30, 2007 (2025 NHL Draft Eligible)
For a guy playing in his first ever WHL start Perry looked good. I thought he looked a little shaky at the start of the game but really settled into his game and gave the Oil Kings a chance to win. Early on I noticed his stance, which seemed to have a much lower blocker hand than you normally see which caused him to be hunched over, not sure if that was him being nervous in the first or if it’s how his stance is but I found that to be a bit strange.
I thought he had good rebound control as most of the shots were either getting redirected into the corners or within a distance that he could jump on the puck. I also liked the strength he showed in his legs especially when it was all keeping the puck out of the net which happened more than once tonight. One last note on Perry is, when he scrambles, he tends to start dancing in his crease a little too much with his feet and I would like to see a little more calmer footwork when getting back into position. Now with Cunningham being reassigned (yet to be determined as to where) I’ll be very interested to watch him in the coming games.
Quick Notes
Edmonton – Gavin Hodnett (LW)
April 9, 2006 (2024 NHL Draft Eligible)
Hodnett was not entirely noticable tonight baring a few plays. He had a tough time early in the game, holding onto the puck causing a couple turn overs that resulted in some good chances on net. He continues to excell with the open ice available on the powerplay but really struggles when it isn’t there 5 on 5. I felt he did a good job getting in on the forcheck on ocassions but he needs to be consistent with his effort.
Edmonton – Parker Alcos (RDH)
July 20, 2006 (2024 NHL Draft Eligible)
Alcos impressed me quite a bit tonight and really took a step forward with Ethan MacKenzie out of the lineup. He does a good job at moving the puck up ice and has good vision. Alcos did a good job tonight at keepig his man to the outside and not giving too much space on the inside. He does need to work on his pivoting ability as he is a little slow on the turn.
Edmonton – Presley Kerner (RW)
November 3, 2007 (2026 NHL Draft Eligible)
Kerner was very noticable on the shifts he had tonight. He was making smart plays and I never really saw any gapping or obvious mistakes throughout the game. He got in on the forecheck trying to force the defender to make a mistake and was also throwing his weight around a little as well.