Making the jump from the MJHL to the WHL can be a tough thing to do for any young man across western Canada, but Brian Harris has found a home with the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL. The former Swan Valley Stampeder has played in 40 games this year with the Edmonton Oil Kings scoring twice and adding an assist so far this season.
“The transition from the MJHL to the WHL has been a huge learning curve for me,” said Harris. “I have been with the Oil Kings for 3-4 years now playing my first full year this year. The game is a lot faster and more structured as you make the move from league to league and I have learned to developed my game around that.”
Harris went on to say that “playing for the Oil Kings has been a challenge, it was hard for me to stay in the line up early until I found my role on the team as a checker and penalty killer. Since then playing with the team has been a great experience and I enjoy being an Oil King.”
“For me staying successful in this league is to keep working on my game,” Harris said. “I’m not an overly skilled player so I have to spend a lot of time working on the small parts of the game on and off the ice,” said Harris. “Things like staying strong, working on speed, awareness, shoot/release, stick handling, the list goes on. I believe that every skill should continued to be worked on because it can always get better and that what I am trying to do, be a better player and play a high level of hockey.”
The Oil Kings 11th round pick played with the Stampeders Organization in the 2016/2017 season dressing in 60 games. Harris found success at the Junior A level scoring 15 goals and adding 11 assists.
Before making the jump to Junior A, Harris played with the Southwest Midget AAA Cougars playing in 71 games, scoring 13 goals and adding 28 assists over the course of 2 seasons.
The 19 year old left winger from
Wawanesa, Manitoba looks to continue building his hockey career at the next level.