Koch wanted a trade, now he’s headed home to a contender
Playing possibly his final year in the Western Hockey League and on a team expected to miss the playoffs, Edmonton Oil Kings forward Davis Koch asked to be traded.
It wasn’t anything against the Oil Kings organization, where he spent the past four seasons. Koch enjoyed his time in Edmonton, but wanted an opportunity to contend for a championship.
“Yeah, that’s how it went down,” said Koch, shortly after being traded to the Vancouver Giants in exchange for forward Brendan Semchuk, 18, goaltender Todd Scott, 17, and a conditional thirdround selection in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft.
“I had nothing but good times in Edmonton, but it was time for a change. I wanted to play somewhere were I had a chance to win.”
Koch, 19, had 18 goals and 39 points in 40 games for the Oil Kings this season.
Selected by the Oil Kings in the second round, 42nd overall, of the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft, the Surrey, B.C., product spent four seasons in Edmonton.
He cracked the lineup as a 16-year-old in 2014-15, the year after the team’s Memorial Cup championship.
In the Giants, Koch is heading home to a team tied for top spot in the B.C. Division and loading up for a championship run.
“I’m thankful the Oil Kings gave me a chance to go play in Vancouver,” Koch said. “I didn’t ask to specifically be traded to them, I just wanted to go to a contending team.”
Despite playing a lot better after the Christmas break, the Oil Kings are still well out of the WHL playoff race and are likely to miss the post- season for a second consecutive year as they continue their rebuild.
Koch approached Oil Kings general manager Randy Hansch and made the request well ahead of Wednesday’s WHL trade deadline.
“It wasn’t something that was super urgent,” Koch said. “It was something that I asked if it was possible. I’m glad I’m going to Vancouver, they have an excellent team and a lot of very good players and it’ll be nice to play in my hometown in front of my family and friends.”
Koch remained in Edmonton awaiting a possible trade and did not travel with the Oil Kings on their five-game road trip. The Oil Kings defeated the Brandon Wheat Kings 3-2 in overtime on Tuesday in the first game of their trip and beat the Regina Pats 4-3 in overtime on Wednesday.
“I loved being an Oil King, it was fun to play for them,” Koch said. “There is no denying I had some ups and downs with them, but I loved my time there.”