Oil Kings’ top prospect here for rest of the season
15-year-old sniper Neighbours ‘excited’ about chance to gain valuable experience
Heading toward the end of another disappointing Western Hockey League season, Jake Neighbours represents a beacon of light for the Edmonton Oil Kings.
Neighbours, 15, selected fourth overall by the Oil Kings in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft, has joined the club for the remainder of the season.
The Airdrie product had an impressive outing in a 7-4 loss to the Regina Pats on Sunday and was back in the lineup Tuesday in a 6-5 loss to the Saskatoon Blades in the first of a three-game road trip.
“He’s a hockey player. He’s so noticeable when he’s on the ice and he’s got tons of jam,” said Oil Kings head coach Steve Hamilton. “He’s physical, confrontational and unafraid. I’ll take a whole pile of Jake Neighbours in our lineup, and it will be great having him here.”
A 5-foot-11, 192-pound forward, Neighbours played with the Calgary Buffaloes of the Alberta Midget AAA Hockey League this season. He won the scoring title with 26 goals and 57 points in 33 games.
The Buffaloes were eliminated in the first round of the AMHL playoffs by the Calgary Royals, opening the door for Neighbours to play the rest of the season with the Oil Kings.
“I’m pretty excited. It’s a good opportunity for me to be up with the guys and get to know some of them and get an opportunity to play in this league before I’m eligible to play in this league,” Neighbours said. “I’m excited about the opportunity and I’m trying to make the most of it.”
Projected to make the team as a 16-year-old next season in his first year of eligibility, Neighbours is part of a young, talented lineup expected to help the Oil Kings end their two-year playoff drought next year.
After winning the Memorial Cup in 2014, the Oil Kings decided to undergo a complete rebuild last season, which has continued through this year.
Now with his Midget AAA season over, Neighbours can begin his WHL career with the Oil Kings a little earlier than expected.
“He deserves to play,” Hamilton said. “He’s a kid who, when he’s come in the lineup, he’s had an impact. He’s got a maturity about him, but he’s also has great hockey sense.
“The tools are there and project him down the road a couple of years. Project him down the road seven games from now, he’ll be that much better from where he is right now.”
Neighbours made his Oil Kings debut earlier this season when called up as an affiliate player. Underage players can dress for five games with their WHL teams during their Midget season.
Against Regina on Sunday, Neighbours stood out physically, unafraid to mix things up with much older opponents.
“It’s tough playing as a 15-yearold, no matter how many games you’ve played, because you’re up to five years younger than some of the guys,” Neighbours said. “But you try to be comfortable, you try not to be intimidated out there against bigger guys. I’m trying to be as comfortable as I can, and the guys here are really good to me, which helps me get comfortable.
“They try to make me feel welcomed in the room, and they talk to me a lot on the ice and give me a lot of advice, which helps me a lot.”
Neighbours had one assist in his four games with the Oil Kings heading into the game against the Blades. He hasn’t looked out of place with the Oil Kings despite his age.
“He can play a physical game, he can play a skill game, he can play the wing, he can play centre, there’s lots of versatility there,” Hamilton said. “Going back and playing Midget AAA and winning the scoring race — not a lot of 15 year olds win Midget AAA scoring races — that’s a good sign, too.
“He’s definitely one of those guys that comes along and you know he’s going to be impactful. He’s driven to be that kind of a player.”
It won’t be long before there will be lofty expectations on Neighbours as the Oil Kings look to return to championship contention. But for now, it’s about gaining as much experience as possible in the remaining seven games of the season.
“I think I want to show the coach that I’m ready now and I want to be here and that I’m able to make an impact next year,” Neighbours said. “I want to work hard and make the most of the opportunities that come to me during this time. I’m trying to have a good last seven games here and show the staff that I’m ready for next year.”
When he’s come in the lineup, he’s had an impact. He’s got a maturity about him, but he’s also has great hockey sense.