PROSPECTS: Sourdif helps Oil Kings capture 2022 WHL Championship

After coming painfully close back in 2019, Florida Panthers prospect Justin Sourdif is finally a champion in the WHL after helping the Edmonton Oil Kings claim the Ed Chynoweth Cup with a 2-0 win over the Seattle Thunderbirds in Game 6 of the WHL Championship Series on Monday.
"Such an amazing group of guys," Sourdif told WHL TV after the win. "We've battled through adversity ever since I've been here. … These guys just stuck together. We're all like brothers."

Lacing up his skates with the Vancouver Giants in 2018-19, Sourdif, who was just 17 years old and in the midst of his first full season in the WHL at the time, advanced all the way to Game 7 of the WHL Championship Series before losing in double overtime to the Prince Albert Raiders.
Given a second chance, there was no way he'd go home empty handed again.
"I've been waiting four years for another opportunity," said an elated Sourdif, who amassed three points (one goal, two assists) over the course of six games in the WHL Championship Series against the Thunderbirds. "To make it count, there's no better feeling. I'm speechless."

Throughout this season, it was Sourdif's play that usually did the talking.
Acquired from Vancouver in a blockbuster deal at the 2022 WHL Trade Deadline on Jan. 17, the dynamic 20-year-old forward went on to produce 39 points (17 goals, 22 assists) in 28 regular-season games and 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 19 postseason games with Edmonton.
Reaching new heights offensively, Sourdif registered a career-high 71 points (26 goals, 45 assists) over 52 games split between the Giants and Oil Kings during the 2021-22 season.
After helping Edmonton sweep the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Red Deer Rebels during the first two rounds of the WHL Playoffs, Sourdif came up big with a pair of game-winning goals against the top-seeded Winnipeg Ice in Games 3 and 4 of the WHL Eastern Conference Championship.

Originally selected by Florida in the third round (87th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft, Sourdif, who suited up for Canada at the abbreviated 2022 World Junior Championship earlier this year, put pen to paper on a three-year, entry-level contract with the Panthers back on Sept. 24, 2021.
"Justin is a dynamic forward who plays the game with speed and skill," Panthers General Manager Bill Zito said after signing the Surrey, B.C. native. "He demonstrated his abilities as a playmaker in the WHL and we look forward to his development within our organization."
After claiming their fifth championship in the WHL, the Oil Kings and Sourdif will kick off their Memorial Cup run with a tilt against the QMJHL Champion Shawinigan Cataractes on June 21.
With the OHL Champion yet to be crowned, here's the current schedule for the Memorial Cup:
Mon., June 20 - Game 1: Saint John vs. OHL at 7 p.m. AT
Tues., June 21 - Game 2: Shawinigan vs. Edmonton at 7 p.m. AT
Wed., June 22 - Game 3: Saint John vs. Edmonton at 7 p.m. AT
Thurs., June 23 - Game 4: Shawinigan vs. OHL at 7 p.m. AT
Fri., June 24 - Game 5: Edmonton vs. OHL at 7 p.m. AT
Sat., June 25 - Game 6: Saint John vs. Shawinigan at 5 p.m. AT
Sun., June 26 - Tie-Breaker, if necessary, at 5 p.m. AT
Mon., June 27 - Semi-Final at 7 p.m. AT
Wed., June 29 - Championship Final at 7 p.m. AT
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\Photo courtesty of Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings*