The Edmonton Oil Kings’ 2024-25 season is underway and their present document sits at 1-2-0-0. Whereas they’re hoping they’ll make a playoff push and end the rebuild with a way more highly effective lineup, one participant has stood out in an enormous means and didn’t get a lot recognition till lately. Alex Worthington has discovered himself because the beginning goaltender after the group determined to position Kolby Hay on waivers the identical day they positioned defender Matthew Gallant on waivers. Worthington was enjoying within the Alberta Faculties Athletic Convention (ACAC) with Briercrest School within the 2023-24 season and whereas his numbers had been spectacular, nobody may have predicted they would belief him as a starter.
Associated: Maple Leafs Prospect Miroslav Holinka Spectacular Throughout WHL Debut
At 19 years previous, Worthington has two seasons remaining of eligibility within the Western Hockey League (WHL). Earlier than this season, he had performed six video games with the Oil Kings between the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons however was underwhelming. Final season, Worthington posted a 2.50 goals-against common (GAA) and a .926 save share (SV%) by 10 video games with Briercrest, posting a 9-1-0 document. Regardless of his lack of expertise and underwhelming earlier numbers, Worthington earned a spot out of coaching camp and has performed effectively by two begins. In these two begins, he has posted a 2.55 GAA and a .933 SV%.
Hay had been the beginning goaltender for the Oil Kings for the reason that 2021-22 season and had first rate numbers, so him being positioned on waivers was a shock to followers. By means of 124 video games, Hay had a 4.06 GAA and a .881 SV% whereas posting a 44-59-4 document. Studies from the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Ontario Reign lead me to imagine Hay will probably be signing an AHL deal, which might make sense as to why he’s now not within the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), however even when that wasn’t the case, Worthington has confirmed in a small pattern measurement that he has the potential to guide the Oil Kings to the postseason.
Worthington/Perry Doubtless Tandem for Foreseeable Future
Whereas Worthington appeared calm and picked up in his win towards the Calgary Hitmen, some followers can be proper to query the power of their tandem because the season goes on. The backup goaltender will now be 17-year-old Hudson Perry, who appears to have a vibrant future on the WHL degree. Final season, he performed 17 video games with the Oil Kings backing up Hay however struggled, posting a 4.54 GAA, .865 SV%, and 4-9-2 document. He ought to get his first begin of the 2024-25 season in one of many subsequent two video games which can give him an opportunity to show his price alongside Worthington.
No matter how Perry performs, it appears possible that these two would be the Oil Kings’ tandem for the foreseeable future. There will probably be goalies out there nearer to the commerce deadline and the group ought to have a greater indication of what their plans will probably be when that point comes, however there doesn’t appear to be any plans to make an acquisition any time quickly.
Whereas it was simply two video games, Worthington has some critical potential. His poise within the web, mixed along with his positioning and hand velocity, make him look like a reliable addition, and it appears to be like like there’s a probability he could possibly be higher than Hay. Whereas time will inform if he can proceed to maintain up this tempo all season, the beginning of his 2024-25 marketing campaign has proven some actual promise, and followers must be excited.
Because the 2024-25 season approaches, you should definitely proceed following The Hockey Writers as your supply for information from across the NHL and the hockey world.
