The Alumni recieved word today that another well known area hockey notable has done his last lap around the rink.

Left Winger Ed Kassian, passed away on June 6, at age 89, with numerous family at his side. Born May 8, 1933 in Vegreville Ed was scouted by legendary Oil Kings & Detroit bird dog Clarence Mohr. Ed rebuffed numerous offers from Mohr, & chose to play for the Prince Albert Mintos of the SJHL instead.

During that final Junior season of '52-'53 he was called up to the Vancouver Canucks of the then-Pro Western Hockey League for a 3-game Pro Tryout. Not to disappoint Ed picked up a goal & 2 assists during his brief stint with the New York Rangers top farm club that year. Some of his Vancouver teammates were Allan Stanley, Ivan Irwin, Frank & Andy Bathgate, Billy Dea, and  Gump Worsley. His performance got him a Pro contract for the following season, which Ed split between the Canucks, and New Westminster Royals.

   Another highlite in Ed's career was the 54-55 season, as a member of the Okanagan Senior League's Penticton Vees, with the club winning the World Amateur Chamionship, with a 5-0 whiewashing of the powerful Russian hockey club. Some of Ed's teammates with the Vees were their captain from Edmonton George McAvoy , Billy, Grant & Dick Warwick, along with Dino Maniago, and spare goaltender Don Moog, father of future NHLer Andy Moog.

    Ed was always popular among his teammates & took great pride in the fact he hailed from Vegrevilee, where he wound up his playing career in 1966 as a member of the Vegreville Rangers. He is the Grandfather of current 1260 TSN broadcaster & former NHLer  Matt Kassian, and was extremely close to his cousin, former Oil King and Oiler Dennis Kassian.  Rest easy, Ed.    

FORMER OIL KINGS OWEN MAILEY PASSES ON 

 

Sad to report the passing in Cranbrook BC on February 6, 2022, of former Oil Kings player, Owen Mailey. Born & raised in Trail BC, Owen finished up with the Kings in the 1960-61 season, then continued on in the CAHL with Red Deer Rustlers. He was also added to the 1966 Allan Cup winning Drumheller Miners. He is respected as an honest, hard working & likeable teammate and opponent. Owen was also a very well- rounded athlete, who also excelled at fastball.

 

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"We're excited" stated Alumni CFO Darryl Havrelock. "The Links Director of Golf Pierre Beauchemin & his very capable staff have been so good to work with over the years. They take great pride in their facility and are largely responsible for the solid reputation this tournament has built over the years. And, we've put in a couple of new wrinkles for 2022, adding to the value our golfers already receive" commented the former Oil Kings defenceman. 

 

 

As of March 1, 2020, the Edmonton Oil Kings Alumni is expanding their ranks, to include all WHL graduate players from the Edmonton area,  who have played a minimum of 1 year (68 games) in the WHL.

"Not only has the game changed drastically over the years, but so have the methods by which each club is able to operate", stated Darryl Havrelock, founder of the Oil Kings Alumni.  When junior hockey came to Edmonton back in the 50's, there was  a Sponsorship system in place, whereby each club was supported financially to a certain degree, by one of the six NHL clubs, with many hometown boys playing on each team. Such is not the case nowadays, as all CHL clubs follow a Draft plan similar to the one utilized by today's 32-team NHL. Players from all over the world, come to each WHL  team via their Draft system. It's tough if not impossible for any Alumni to survive by operating like it was still the '50's. And, we all wear the same uniform nowadays, chuckled Havrelock. Maybe we can start something here for other clubs to take a look at, and maybe follow suit."

"Our Alumni is likely the most active in all of today's Western Hockey League cities", cited Havrelock. "Each year we hold roughly 7 events, well attended, and go a long way at keeping the guys all together. There are numerous Edmonton & area boys playing in the WHL, and we want to welcome them into our expanded Alumni which will be known as the OIL KINGS & WHL ALUMNI

Our Premier Alumni Event is our annual Golf Tournament, now in it's 13th year. Our other events range from Breakfasts or lunches, to A Night at the Mayfield Dinner Theatre, to a Mystery Golf Day, or we've taken in a ball game.  One thing we've made certain of, is to welcome our golf tourney sponsors to these events. They are the ones who support us & make it possible for us to remain active as a group". We consider them to be part of our Alumni group.

So, calling all former WHL players in the Edmonton area.  If you are interested in becoming part of the  Oil Kings & Western Hockey League Alumni, go to our "ALUMNI REGISTRY PAGE, fill it out & follow the instructions. 

 If you have any questions,

         contact either Darryl Havrelock  at 780-469-5718  or email  dotanddk@shaw.ca   

or

contact Gregg Pilling at 780-486-2125 or 780-909-3691  or email  gregg@thepillings.ca 

 

  

1.  Harold  Fleming, 1942

7.  Brad Hall, 1958

17.Phil Dutton 1941

24. Harold Snepsts, 1954

26. Roger Bourbonnais, 1942

31. Danny Spring, 1951

 

4.  Ross Perkins, 1946

5.  Rick Wyrozub, 1951

7.  Bob & Ted McAneeley, 1950

11. Gerry Prince, 1934

12. Tony Currie, 1957

13. Len Lunde, 1936

15. Warren Back, 19??

22. Bert Marshall, 1943