The Edmonton Oil Kings have acquired defencemen Simon Kubicek from the Seattle Thunderbirds and a conditional draft pick in the 2023 WHL Draft, in exchange for forward Vladimir Alistrov and a conditional 2023 WHL Draft pick.

Kubicek, 19, appeared in 52 games last season with the Seattle Thunderbirds, posting 27 points (7G, 20A) and 54 penalty minutes.

“We are very pleased to add Simon to our group of defenseman. Simon is an elite right shot defender who has a lot of WHL and International experience”, said Oil Kings President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kirt Hill. “He will not only help with the development of our younger prospects but help provide offense from the blue line”.

The 6’2”, 205-pound defencemen has accumulated 55 points (16G, 39A), 111 penalty minutes and a -2 plus/minus rating in 113 career WHL games with Seattle. He has also recorded four points (1G, 3A), eight penalty minutes and a -1 plus/minus rating in six playoff games.

Kubicek has represented the Czech Republic several times internationally, most recently at the 2021 U-20 World Junior Hockey Championship in Edmonton, registering two points (1G, 1A) and 12 penalty minutes in four games. He also played for the Czech Republic at the 2020 U-20 World Junior Hockey Championship, the 2019 U-18 World Junior Hockey Championship and the 2018 U-17 World Hockey Challenge.