Sherwood Park’s Kaiden Guhle has been named the 2022 WHL Playoffs Most Valuable Player.
The Edmonton Oil Kings defenceman and Montreal Canadiens prospect finished the post-season with eight goals, the most by an Oil Kings defenceman during a single playoff campaign.
Guhle scored the insurance goal in the second period of Monday’s (June 13) Game 6 win against the Seattle Thunderbirds, resulting in the Oil King’s taking the WHL title.
The 20-year-old was traded from the Prince Albert Raiders in December.
“I couldn’t do it without the team; the guys have been so great all year to me, welcoming me halfway through the year,” Guhle said in a post-game interview.
The Oil Kings beat the Thunderbirds in a 2-0 shutout victory, with former Fort Ranger Sebastian Cossa making 27 saves for the Oil Kings.
Guhle became the first defenceman to win WHL Playoffs MVP honours since former Oil Kings blueliner Griffin Reinhart won the award eight years ago.
On top of his playoff success, Guhle was named team captain during the 2022 World Junior Hockey Championships late last year.
Other local players helped propel the Oil Kings to victory, including Logan Dowhaniuk from Sherwood Park and Brendan Kuny of Ardrossan. Runner-ups, the Thunderbirds, also have a former Fort Saskatchewan Ranger in Jordan Gustafson.
Next up for the Oil Kings is the Memorial Cup Tournament, where they will face the Shawinigan Cataractes next Tuesday (Jun. 21) at 6 p.m.