Searching for Oil Kings

McKeen's correspondent Marlon Martens has notes on several Edmonton Oil Kings including NHL draft picks Tomas Vincour and Brent Raedeke as well as Mark Pysyk, Michael St.Croix, Travis Ewaynk, Dylan Wruck, Cameron Maclise and Devin Balness.

Tomas Vincour (Dal), RW, Edmonton Oil Kings

The big Czech import is off to a great start after being hampered with a shoulder injury last season .. keeps his feet moving, never giving up on a play and makes things happen for himself .. tenacious, stealing the puck in offensive zone .. anticipates well, intercepting several passes through the neutral zone .. quick turns and smooth skating allowed him to retrieve his own cross-ice dump in .. dangerous around the net with great puck skills .. can make a crisp pass, but forced a play while on the man advantage instead of cycling the puck .. showed his willingness to backcheck by hustling at the end of a shift to break up a 2-on-1 .. can already man handle some of the opposition, but took two penalties in the offensive zone .. great size, skating ability, decent hands and hunger will allow him to contend for the scoring race this season.

Brent Raedeke (Det), C, Edmonton Oil Kings

Gained confidence by attending the Red Wings summer and rookie camp .. shooting the puck more has helped him fly out the gate offensively, however the majority come from the perimeter - but do hit the net .. shows great speed down the wing, but could use his size to drive to the net more often .. throws hits, is a great passer and the puck finds him .. picks his spots to throw the body .. often tries too much himself (trying to stickhandle through 2 d-men) .. if he keeps improving his defensive game and continues his current pace offensively, he could develop into a third - fourth liner.

Mark Pysyk (2010), D, Edmonton Oil Kings

The Oil Kings first ever Bantam Draft selection (3rd overall) is already logging top-4, d-man minutes .. used in every situation .. has the ability to separate the man from the puck and his strength will only increase as he grows into his 6-foot-2 frame .. demonstrates confidence carrying the puck and vision to move it up ice to advance plays .. can stickhandle through traffic - eluding a forward in the neutral zone, weaving by another then delivering a crisp cross-ice pass .. excellent skater accelerates well while pushing through long strides .. scored 20 points in 61 games as a rookie - point production will continue to increase, as he's been given the green light to jump into rushes more often .. not afraid of the physical play, he can take a bump and keep his balance while controlling the puck .. likes to turn his body to shield the puck along the boards, but in turn he takes more physical abuse .. a steady, reliable defenseman with offensive upside who's already generating attention as one of the top-rated prospects for the upcoming draft.

Michael St.Croix (2011), C, Edmonton Oil Kings

The son of former NHL netminder Rick St.Croix, the 4th overall Bantam selection in 2008 led the Winnipeg Wild in scoring with 103 pts and 57 Goals in 41 games .. although setting a lofty personal goal of 40 points for his rookie campaign, his 1 goal in 7 games is not because of lack of effort .. a great skill set, and willing competitor who's not afraid to go to the dirty areas .. undying work ethic, helping him win puck battles at just 5-foot-11 and 163 pounds .. his skating is helping him adjust to the pace of major junior .. panicked and committed an unforced icing .. will be given every opportunity to develop into a top scorer in the league.

Travis Ewaynk (2011), LW, Edmonton Oil Kings

Spent last season playing Midget in St. Albert scoring 19 points in 33 contests .. has tremendous foot speed and hard work and hustle is paying off in more playing minutes .. given the opportunity to play center and was 50/50 in faceoff circle .. speedy forechecker and relentless digger along the boards .. makes sure to finish checks, however sometimes a little overzealous, trying to impress and threw a late hit .. good awareness by covering the point when the d-man went deep .. no fear driving the net .. will get scoring opportunities by racing to open ice .. likened to Kris Draper .. at only 6-foot and168 pounds, Ewaynk will only get stronger and become the energy player you don't want to play against.

Dylan Wruck (2011), C, Edmonton Oil Kings

Amassing 63 assists and 94 points last season for Beardy's of the SMHL, the Oil Kings are hoping his playmaking and passing touch flourishes at the next level .. at only 5-foot-8 and 150 pounds, he has the willingness to throw the body .. well aware of his defensive duties and is tied for the team lead in plus/minus after 7 games (+5) .. skates a little hunched over and uses a wide stance .. will need to improve on acceleration and foot stability.

Cameron Maclise (2010), RW, Edmonton Oil Kings

Towering over most of his teammates at 6-foot-3, the lanky forward uses his long reach to his advantage, poking pucks away in the defensive zone and taking away passing lanes .. his motor skills aren't yet in sync with his intentions, as he looked awkward in attempting a missed spin around shot, and losing the puck twice in a row while stickhandling through center .. needs to get more aggressive with his size - had no PIM in 23 games last year playing Midget in Red Deer .. can become a threat once he gets more comfortable in his lurking frame.

Devin Balness (2010), LW, Edmonton Oil Kings

Can score and provide grit .. won a fight against an opponent who outweighed him by 30 pounds .. 150 PIM and 40 pts in 37 games of Midget last year .. hardnosed and unafraid .. took advantage of his few opportunities, scoring on a rebound .. could grow into a Derek Dorsett-type player.