Former Oil King Larson returning to #YEG to join Griffins after finishing juniors with an AJHL title in Canmore
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Like his Canmore Eagles teammate John Szabo, Reid Larson will be embarking on a bit of a homecoming when he joins the MacEwan Griffins men's hockey team in 2026-27.
Larson played 58 games for the Edmonton Oil Kings during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, recording eight points.
The defenceman's junior career continued from there with Whitecourt and Drayton Valley in the Alberta Junior Hockey League before he wrapped it up by helping the Canmore Eagles win an AJHL Championship in 2025-26.
Besides, Szabo, he will also be joining Eagles teammate Casey Black on the Griffins.
"He found a nice home in Canmore," said MacEwan head coach Zack Dailey. "He's big, plays simple and is a defensive-first guy. We talked about how we gave up too many goals (last season). We need guys who want to take care of their end. He's a guy who takes great pride in his defensive game. He's just willing to work for everything that he's given."
Larson came out of the Calgary Flames elite hockey program, where he was teammates with Black on the U18AAA team in 2021-22. He then joined the Oil Kings – the team that picked him in the eighth round of the 2020 WHL draft after that – and got a taste of Major Junior action before finishing his career in the AJHL.
Larson's final season in 2025-26 included notching 18 points in 35 regular season games for Canmore before netting eight points in 15 playoff games. He then added a goal and four points in five Centennial Cup championship contests for the Eagles.
"In the playoffs and in the Centennial Cup, he logged bunch of minutes and played in every situation for them," said Dailey. "He was a powerplay guy, PK, five on five, so it shows he can have an impact on the game in different ways. I think he's someone who can fill any role that we ask him to fill."
With openings on the Griffins' D, following the departure of four regulars from last season, Larson will likely be relied on right away.
"He's going to be someone who's important for us and will push the other D," said Dailey. "I do think he's someone who can come in and contribute right away. He's a very good character person who wanted to be here quite badly and is very excited to be a Griffin."
Reid Larson played for the Edmonton Oil Kings during the 2002-23 and 2023-24 seasons (Edmonton Oil Kings Hockey Club/LA Media photo).
Reid Larson hoists the championship trophy after the Canmore Eagles defeated the Whitecourt Wolverines in the AJHL final (Melissa Baker photo).
