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LLOYDMINSTER SOURCE I WWW.LLOYDMINSTERSOURCE.COM I Thursday, October 2, 2014
Photos by Andy Devlin / Edmonton Oil Kings
Lloydminster native Andrew Koep is the next wave of talent in Edmonton as part of the Oil Kings, scoring twice in his first game in the WHL.
“It’s something a lot of people dream about and to be there and live it was pretty awesome,” said Koep. “It’s just something I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.” His first goal came in the second period, giving the Oil Kings a 2-1 lead. But it was the second goal on a pass from Tyler Robertson that not only gave the rookie the biggest goal of his young career, but up to this point, most likely the loudest as well. Over 11,000 fans attended the home opener to watch the banner raising ceremony for the Oil Kings championships, the largest crowd for an Oil Kings home opener in team history. Prior to his time in the WHL, Koep was used
to a bit of a smaller crowd in Lloydminster as a member of the AAA Bobcats and Heat, so opening night was something special for the forward in front of the largest crowd he has played in front of. “Coming out for warm-up there was quite a few people there and that was pretty shocking,” said Koep. “That fans were really into the game which helps. You get used to it as it goes on. It is something you have to enjoy because it doesn’t happen all the time.” While the game unfolded in front of him, Koep said he had to take a few moments to take it all in at Rexall Place. He also had a front row seat for the
arrival of the Memorial Cup. It’s the goal of every major junior hockey player in Canada to hoist that trophy. It’s an award that takes more than a season to earn, as a team has to not only win their league championship, but also play against the best from the Ontario and Quebec leagues in order to earn it. Edmonton was the best of the best last year, so Koep knows they are capable of winning it again this season. While scoring the game winner and being named the first star in your first game might seem like an accomplishment, it can’t rival the feeling of lifting the hardest trophy to earn in Canadian hockey. “It’s pretty cool to play on the same night as the banner is raised,” said Koep. “Lots of guys were pretty emotional. It’s not something many can say they have done in their life. With hard work and dedication, it shows it is something that can be not that far away.” Koep was a second round pick of the Edmonton Oil Kings in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft after scoring 41 goals and 61 points in 31 goals with the Lloydminster Heat. He played two seasons with the AAA Bobcats before getting the call up to the Oil Kings. Now he is playing against bigger, faster and stronger players in bigger arenas every night, which after only a handful of games into the regular season, has already improved his development as a player. “Everybody just makes tape to tape passes, it’s a lot smoother, a lot more systematic and structure to the game,” said Koep. “It gives guys more opportunity and (they) try not to make mistakes because they are going to jump on those and try and create opportunities.” With the first goal, first game winner and first start out of the way in his first game, Koep can put it behind him and move forward with his major junior career. He got to see on opening night what everyone in the WHL plays for, as well as what every team across Canada plays for at that level. Now it is just about proving himself each night on the ice, and improving his game to continue his hockey journey. Scoring on opening night may be a dream come true, but it isn’t the last dream Koep has in hockey.
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