First overall selection Dylan Guenther to make WHL regular season debut
Tonight will mark the regular season debut of Oil Kings’ 1st round, 1st overall pick from the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft, Dylan Guenther. The 6-foot-0, 170-pound centre dressed in two preseason games with the team, earning one goal and a plus/minus rating of +2.
The 15-year-old, Edmonton native began the season as a member of Northern Alberta Xtreme Midget Prep (CSSMP) registering 15 goals and 25 points in 12 games played.
“We’re very excited to have Dylan join us on the road for his first WHL game tonight in Regina,” said Oil Kings’ president of hockey operations and general manager Kirt Hill. “Any time you welcome a first overall pick into the fold, it’s an exciting time for the organization and the fans.
“There are sure to be many great moments for Dylan as a member of the Oil Kings, and his first WHL game is certainly a special one for him and his family.”
“I’m so excited,” said Guenther before the team took to the road. “I can’t wait to get out there.
“It’s gonna be much faster than where I’m playing right now, so I just hope to keep up out there. For sure I’m a little nervous, but I just need to go out there and play my game and not worry about it.
“My parents and my younger brother are going to watch me, so that’ll make this experience even more cool.”
Guenther was selected first overall by the Oil Kings after a 2017-18 campaign with the Canadian Sports School Bantam Hockey League’s (CSSBHL) Northern Alberta Xtreme Bantam Prep which saw him register 103 points (56G, 47A) and 22 penalty minutes in just 30 games played.
He also skated as a member of Edmonton Blue in the 2018 Alberta Cup, totaling 12 points (6G, 6A) in five games before being named to the tournament All-Star Team.