Grande Prairie local and Oil Kings Forward Gracyn Sawchyn is heading to the NHL after a nearly three-year-long career in the WHL.
Sawchyn was selected 63rd overall by the Florida Panthers in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft, which is where he will spend the next three years thanks to his inking a three-year $2.63 million contract on November 4th.
The 19-year-old Peace Country product wore the “A” for the Oil Kings during the 2024-25 season and has netted eight goals while producing 12 assists during his first 12 games as Assistant Captain. The young skater also holds one WHL Championship victory.
According to Elite Prospects’ 2023 NHL Draft Guide, Sawchyn is described as a simple player who skates hard, and if he can’t win a race for the puck, he tries to win the ensuing battle before looking for an open teammate, and if the pass isn’t available, he tends to drive inside “without much concern for his safety.”
Under his new contract, Sawchyn is expected to earn around $878K per season, before it expires at the end of the 2026/27 NHL season.
