Edmonton, Alta. – With the WHL’s holiday trade moratorium lifted Saturday, December 27, at 10 a.m. MT, the Edmonton Oil Kings added veteran experience on the blueline, acquiring 20-year-old defenceman Austin Zemlak from the Tri-City Americans in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick (Saskatoon) and a conditional fifth-round pick in 2029.
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Zemlak started the 2025-26 season with Arizona State University, playing five games. The product of Fort McMurray, Alta., enjoyed a career season with the Americans in 2024-25, tallying 25 points (5G-20A) in 56 games while serving as an alternate captain.
“The Edmonton Oil Kings organization is excited to acquire Austin,” said Oil Kings President and General Manager Kirt Hill. “Austin is a local player we are very familiar with and has a lot of experience in the Western Hockey League, has played in the playoffs, and we feel will be a very steady presence and will continue to help us build our group on the blueline. We would like to welcome Austin and his family to the Oil Kings organization.”
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Originally selected by the Victoria Royals in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Zemlak spent three seasons with the Royals prior to joining the Ams. In 203 career WHL regular season games, Zemlak has collected 58 points (15G-43A).
“With Austin leaving school we were forced to make a decision that was best for not only our team today, but also for the future,” said Bob Tory, General Manager of the Americans. “Austin will get an opportunity to finish his career closer to home.”
In a corresponding move, the Oil Kings have waived 20-year-old forward Brady Craik. The 6-foot-4, 199-pound product of Yorba Linda, Calif., has appeared in 21 games with the Oil Kings this season. That leaves Edmonton with three 20-year-old players, including Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Miroslav Holinka at forward, and defencemen Niko Tsakumis and Zemlak.
“The Oil Kings would like to thank Brady for his contributions to the club both on and off the ice, and we wish him the best moving forward,” Hill said.
Zemlak is expected to make his Oil Kings debut tonight at 6 p.m. MT when Edmonton visits the Red Deer Rebels at Marchant Crane Centrium. Catch all the action for free on Victory+.
