A former Fort McMurray Oil Barons communications manager and junior hockey executive is facing multiple sexual-offence charges after police allege he paid minors for sexually explicit images and videos. Tyler King, 39, was arrested Oct. 30 in Kingston, Ont., and remains in custody, according to the RCMP.
The allegations have roots in King’s later work with the Okotoks Oilers, where he served as an assistant general manager after leaving Fort McMurray. Police said an employee reported concerns in June 2024, alleging King had been soliciting sexual images and videos from minors connected to the junior hockey team and compensating them for the material.
An investigation led by the Southern Alberta District General Investigation Section began the following month. Police said investigators identified three players under the age of 18 who were allegedly victimized. The players were from Alberta and Saskatchewan and were involved in minor-league hockey, according to the information released by police.
“Police believe there could be more alleged victims.”
That warning is part of the RCMP’s continuing investigation. Police said King had also worked with hockey teams in Brooks, Nanaimo and Ontario, and investigators believe those connections could lead to additional reports. The allegations have not been proven in court, and King is scheduled to return to Alberta to answer to the charges.
Fort McMurray connection
King was a recognizable sports and media figure in the Fort McMurray region before moving on to work elsewhere in junior hockey. A 2015 Oil Barons news release said he spent four years with the team, from 2011 through 2015, serving as its communications manager and calling games on radio.
That release credited King with working as the play-by-play announcer for 284 games. His responsibilities were tied to the public-facing and off-ice operations of the club, making the charges particularly significant for a community that followed his work through local sports coverage and junior hockey broadcasts.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Accused | Tyler King, 39 |
| Former Fort McMurray role | Communications manager and play-by-play announcer |
| Years with Oil Barons | 2011 to 2015 |
| Arrest | Oct. 30 in Kingston, Ont. |
Charges and next steps
The charges include three counts of luring a person under 18, sexual exploitation of a young person and making child pornography. Police said the investigation began after an employee came forward, and they are continuing to examine whether other young people may have been affected through King’s work in hockey.
King later relocated to the United States and worked as a professor at SUNY Oswego, according to the police information. He had previously held roles with teams in more than one province, including the Okotoks Oilers in southern Alberta. He is now expected to be brought back to Alberta for the court process. The allegations remain before the courts, and no findings of guilt have been made.
- Police say three Alberta and Saskatchewan players under 18 were allegedly victimized.
- Investigators are examining possible connections to hockey organizations in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario.
- King remains in custody and is scheduled to return to Alberta to face the charges.
