Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

WHL’s Oil Kings take liking to Grizzlies netminder Dillon

First came the text messages, then the Twitter notices started rolling in and, eventually, the phone calls.

First came the text messages, then the Twitter notices started rolling in and, eventually, the phone calls.

It was a busy day for Victoria Grizzlies goaltender Alec Dillon, who saw his Western Hockey League rights traded Thursday from the Swift Current Broncos to the Edmonton Oil Kings, along with a draft pick, in exchange for 19-year-old defenceman Stephen Shmoorkoff.

“I got a text from Swift’s GM this morning, saying there had been a deal done and I was a part of it and he wished me good luck. Then it was tweets and more texts right after that. That’s how I found out,” said Dillon.

Of course, fans and friends alike immediately thought the Victoria native was on his way out of town. But the 17-year-old does have a full scholarship to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, N.Y, for 2015 already in his grasp.

That doesn’t mean the Oil Kings won’t try to persuade him into the WHL.

“I am committed, obviously, and that’s where my heart is set,” said Dillon. “This is another door that opens up.

“But I’m a Grizzly, obviously, and I’m focusing on this year.”

Dillon was contacted by Oil Kings GM Randy Hansch and the discussion was strictly regarding a welcome to the organization.

“They respect my decision and this is their way to try and get me to their organization. I’m still kind of shocked, actually,” Dillon admitted. “It’s a great organization and the Oil Kings’ name speaks for itself.”

But a full ride to RPI is nothing to take lightly.

“I’m not focusing on any of that right now. I will talk to my parents and the rest of my family and let it soak in later,” said Dillon, who has had a remarkable rookie season.

The six-foot-five netminder has stood tall with a 9-2-2 record, including one shutout, with the two losses coming at the start of the season. His 2.49 goals-against average and .917 save percentage has him seventh among B.C. Hockey League goalies.

“I came in as a backup, tried to work my way out of it,” Dillon said of his season. “I can’t complain, the team is playing good. I’m playing good and so is Nic [Renyard, the Grizzlies’ other goaltender].

“It didn’t look all that good to start, but I’ve picked up my game and my focus. Your game tends to come around when you work hard and you focus,” he added. “And I’m focusing on being a Grizzly.”

As for the Oil Kings: “Getting the draft pick gives us a little bit of flexibility down the road, along with receiving Alec Dillon’s rights that will give us an opportunity to add to our future depth in goal with Patrick Dea and Carter Phair,” Hansch said in a statement.

mannicchiarico@timescolonist.com