Oil Kings acquire European veteran from Kelowna
As a 20-year-old European, Tomas Soustal could see the writing on the wall with the Kelowna Rockets.
So when the Edmonton Oil Kings traded for him earlier this week, the overage winger from Sternberk, Czech Republic, was delighted to be able to extend his Western Hockey League career.
Soustal was acquired Monday by Oil Kings general manager Randy Hansch for a fourth-round pick in the 2018 WHL bantam draft.
“I kind of knew it (the trade) was coming, because we had an overage situation in Kelowna and we had a bunch of 20-year-olds,” Soustal said. “We had three euros there and five over-agers, so it was a situation where I was taking two spots. I don’t think many teams would keep me in that situation, but I’m happy that I was traded to Edmonton. There weren’t a lot of options, there were some teams out East and then here, so I think this was the best option. It’s good.”
WHL teams are allowed three overage players and two imports on their roster. The Oil Kings released Belarusian forward Artyom Baltruk to make room for Soustal, who counts as both an import and overage player.
“Certainly to be able to add a veteran guy like that to our lineup, who is a proven offensive performer in our league, was probably a deal that you couldn’t say no to,” Oil Kings head coach Steve Hamilton said. “With us having an open spot at that overage position, it was something that Randy felt would give us a bump immediately in our lineup. I think the guys recognize that we’re bringing in a quality player.
“We’ve been real happy with our group to start, but I don’t think there’s ever any substitute for experience.”
Soustal spent the previous three seasons with the Rockets. He arrived in Kelowna as a 17-year-old and had eight goals and 18 points in 65 games in his rookie season. He added four goals and six points in 19 playoff games as the Rockets won the WHL championship and lost in the Memorial Cup final. He was invited to the Edmonton Oilers rookie camp last season and was released from a pro tryout contract with the Dallas Stars this year.
“I think it was a quick transition for me coming here (WHL),” Soustal said. “Obviously, there were a lot of changes, but I think it was good. The only thing that was tough for the first bit was the food, the food was different, but after that it was good. My English also wasn’t the greatest, but I could understand most people, I just had to work on how to respond to them.”
Last season, Soustal scored 18 goals and had 47 points in 49 games. He added four goals and nine points in 17 playoff games.
“Tomas has played in the league with a really good organization, he’s had some success as a team and individually, he’s gotten better every year,” Hamilton said. “Getting him was a chance to cement another guy into our top six.”
Soustal is expected to make his Oil Kings debut Friday (7 p.m.) against the Brandon Wheat Kings at Rogers Place. The six-footthree, 199-pound right-winger played three games with the Rockets this season before being traded, collecting a goal and an assist.
“I think it’s going to be a great experience for me,” Soustal said. “I was in Kelowna and it’s a first-class organization, but this is a whole other level with the arena and things like that. I’m pretty happy to be here and looking forward to doing my best.”
The Oil Kings are icing a young roster this season as they continue through a rebuilding process. As a fourth-year player, Soustal will be asked to provide leadership to a young core. It’s a role he’s eager to take on.
“I don’t think I’ll be the most vocal guy, but when it comes to action, I want to be the guy who shows other guys how things have to be done and things like that,” Soustal said. “I don’t think I’ll be a guy that will go in the room and saying a bunch of inspirational quotes and things like that. I’m not that kind of guy. But when I go out on the ice, I want to show the guys why the team brought me here and why I am able to play in the league for as long as I have.”