Edmonton Oil Kings

Wilson ready for big role with Oil Kings

January 4, 2010

EDMONTON- Klarc Wilson got a nice little surprise when he arrived at his first practice with the Oil Kings last week.

His father and younger brother were there to greet him when he hit the ice with his new teammates.

“It feels good to be home. I was really excited when I heard the news,” said Wilson, who is an Edmonton native.

The 16-year-old was acquired by the Oil Kings from the Brandon Wheat Kings in exchange for veteran forward Brent Raedeke in a big move for the future of the hockey club.

Wilson, who played his minor hockey with the Knights of Columbus Pats, played 18 games with Brandon this season where he tallied two assists.

He has already suited up for three games with the Oil Kings. He has yet to register his first point with his new team, but he is getting an opportunity to play a bigger role with the Oil Kings and will be looked upon as a key cog for the future.

“I think the coaches have high expectations for me, and I am ready to take on a bigger role with this team. I am ready to take on any responsibility put on me, and whatever it may be I am ready to take it,” said Wilson.

“I can bring a lot of energy, and hopefully be counted on to be put out there in key situations. If something needs to be done I hope the coaches have the confidence in me to put me out there.

“I am excited to see where this goes. This is my first time being traded, and it is my first year, but that is just how hockey goes sometimes.”

Oil Kings general manager Bob Green has coached Wilson in summer hockey in the past. The 6’0” 198 pound right winger has all the tools and the pedigree to be a top power forward in the WHL.

Wilson was selected by Brandon in the first round, 10^th overall in the 2008 WHL bantam draft. It's the same draft that Oil Kings leading rookie scorer Michael St. Croix (fourth overall) was chosen.

“He will get a chance to play here and it’s going to take some time for him to adjust, but at the end of the day we are excited because we got a good player coming back (in the trade),” added Green.

“He’s got the skill package to go along with the size and the strength. He’s six feet and he carries 200 pounds very well. It’s shocking that he is 200 pounds.

“He’s got to find a way to use that size and figure out that he can be effective at such a young age with it.”

Wilson made his debut on New Year’s Eve, when the Oil Kings hosted Klarc’s former teammates, the Brandon Wheat Kings. He also played in the Oil Kings most recent games in their home-and-home series with the Red Deer Rebels this past weekend.

In his short tenure with Edmonton, the young forward has made his presence felt playing a tenacious physical game. He has mainly played the wing alongside veteran forward Brett Breitkreuz to start his career as an Oil King.

Although he is still searching for his first career WHL goal as well as his first point as an Oil King, Green feels that he will be a strong fit to the Oil Kings moving forward.

He’ll be a key piece the team will build around.

“That is part of the growing process for him. He’s got to get used to playing every-day and preparing himself to play every day. He only played in 18 games prior to coming here. There will be a learning process for him,” said Green.

“You may not see huge results right away, but people are really going to see him grow as a player quickly.

“The top end of what he can be is pretty good.”