Oilers Update - Oilers vs Canucks Young Stars Tournament

Hockey season has finally arrived!

 Tonight at the South Okanagan Events Centre, the Edmonton Oilers will face the Vancouver Canucks to kick off the second annual Young Stars Tournament in Penticton BC.

In the lineup, Oilers Fans will finally get a good look at the 2011 1st Overall draft pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.  Nugent-Hopkins will share the centre position with Anton Lander and Ryan Martindale. 

Lander who had troubling camp last year, comes into the 2011 at 6'3" and 200 lbs, precisely the kind of size the Edmonton Oilers are needing to fill the pivot role.  Despite his change in frame, Edmonton Oilers Announcer Jack Michaels said that "Anton Lander looked great yesterday at the informal practice in Kelowna." 

While most of us will have our eyes on Nugent-Hopkins and Lander; on defence, I simply can not wait to have a look at Martin Marincin. 

The bruising 6'4" 184lb defenceman looked great last year and the Slovakian will make his return to the tournament. 

The kid is big, mean and nasty and isn't afraid to hammer anybody along the boards or give a cheap shot or two.  Just ask Jason Zucker.

Here is the team line-up for tonight's game vs the Canucks

Hamilton - Nugent-Hopkins - Pelss

Cornet - Lander - Rieder

Czerwonka - Martindale - Tyrvainen

Smith - Abney

Marincin - Musil

Musil - Fedun

Gernat - Lowery

Schmidt

 7:30pm Pacific Time Oilers Vs Canucks Sportsnet Pacific & West

 

#	PLAYER	POS	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	D.O.B	HOMETOWN
1	Bunz, Tyler	G	6'1	196	Feb 11, 1992	St. Albert, AB
30	Roy, Olivier	G	6'0	165	Jul 12, 1991	Amqui, QC
45	Lowery, Ryan	D	5'11	189	Sep 06, 1988	Inverness, IL
50	Brown, Adam	G	5'10	165	Oct 12, 1991	Yorba Linda, CA
51	Cornet, Philippe	LW	6'0	173	Mar 28, 1990	Val-Senneville, QC
57	Lander, Anton	C	6'0	194	Apr 24, 1991	Sundsvall
59	Smith, Colin	C	5'10	157	Jun 20, 1993	Edmonton, AB
61	Rieder, Tobias	C	5'10	180	Jan 10, 1993	Landshut
63	Pelss, Kristians	LW	5'11	171	Sep 09, 1992	Preili
64	Kytnar, Milan	C	6'0	180	May 19, 1989	Topolcany
66	Martindale, Ryan	C	6'3	185	Oct 27, 1991	Brooklin, ON
68	Pitlick, Tyler	C	5'10	163	Nov 01, 1991	Centerville, MN
69	Ewanyk, Travis	C	6'0	176	Mar 29, 1993	St. Albert, AB
70	Hamilton, Curtis	LW	6'3	202	Dec 04, 1991	Tacoma, WA
71	Czerwonka, Drew	LW	6'2	192	Jul 01, 1992	Glenavon, SK
72	Nugent-Hopkins, Ryan	C	6'0	171	Apr 12, 1993	Burnaby, BC
73	Abney, Cameron	RW	6'4	192	May 23, 1991	Aldergrove, BC
75	Tyrvainen, Antti	LW	5'10	198	Apr 03, 1989	Seinajoki
76	Schaber, Chase	C	6'0	194	Jan 03, 1991	Red Deer, AB
78	Gernat, Martin	D	6'5	187	Apr 11, 1993	Kosice
79	Ferguson, Brett	LW	6'0	185	Mar 06, 1990	Vibank, SK
80	Marincin, Martin	D	6'4	187	Feb 18, 1992	Kosice
81	Fedun, Taylor	D	6'1	210	Jun 04, 1988	Edmonton, AB
82	Blain, Jeremie	D	6'2	190	Mar 19, 1992	Longueuil, QC
84	Teubert, Colten	D	6'4	201	Mar 08, 1990	White Rock, BC
85	Schmidt, Tyler	D	6'3	196	Apr 13, 1990	Winnipeg, MAN
87	Musil, David	D	6'3	196	Apr 09, 1993	Calgary, AB
88	Davidson, Brandon	D	6'1	190	Aug 21, 1991	Taber, AB
90	Vannieuwenhuizen, Wes	D	6'3	205	Apr 20, 1992	Chilliwack, BC
92	Rajala, Toni	RW	5	163	Mar 29, 1991	Parkano

Oilers Update - Cutest Oilers Fan EVER loves Taylor Hall.

I stumbled upon a video which I felt was absolutely necessary to share with you all.  

Little Sadie  maybe under the age of 2, but it is pretty obvious as to which team she will be cheering for this year.  Heck, I'll even bet you that she'll be sitting on daddy's lap at Rexall while wearing her mini Taylor Hall jersey.

Chant as loud as you can little one!


Let's GO Oilers!

Video uploaded by dasivon on Youtube

Oilers Update - "Oh I remember that!" Hextall Hacks Nilsson!

Hockey Fans! It's time for "Oh I remember that!"


Tonight, I had to dig really deep into the memory bank in order to find this little gem.  


During the1987 Stanley Cup Finals, the Edmonton Oilers faced the Philadelphia Flyers en-route to capture their 4th Stanley Cup.  On May 24th 1987 the Oilers went into Philadelphia with a 2-1 series lead.  With the Oilers up 4-1 in the third, Flyers' hot headed goaltender Ron Hextall made headlines when he laid the lumber upon the legs of Oilers forward Kent Nilsson.


Hextall, flipped his lid after taking exception to Glenn Anderson's rebound attempt where he accidentally/on purpose jabbed Hexall's bread basket.  Instead of taking Anderson's number to save for rainy day, Hextall decided to take his anger out on Nilsson moments later.


Hextall received only a 5 minute major penalty for his slash, however the NHL suspended Hextall for the first 8 games of the 1987-88 season.


After it was all said and done, the play immediately went down in the history books as one of the most infamous moments in play-off history.

  

Oilers Update - Oilers Rookie Camp Nugent-Hopkins, Teubert, Hamilton, Lander

The Edmonton Oilers are getting set for the 2nd Annual Young Stars Rookie Tournament which will take place in Penticton B.C.  The Oilers will open the tournament as they will face the Vancouver Canucks this Sunday at South Okanagan Events Center.


Here is the schedule for the Young Star Tournament.


Sun Sept 11th 2011 Canucks vs Oilers 7:30pm Pacific on Sportsnet West & Pacific
Tue Sept 13th 2011 Oilers vs Jets 7:30pm Pacific on www.edmontonoilers.com
Wed Sept 14th 2011 Flames vs Oilers 7:30 Pacific on www.edmontonoilers.com


30 players were invited to the rookie camp and among them are returnees (who I can not wait to see hit the ice) and they are Ryan Martindale, Martin Marincin, Tyler Pitlick to name a few, but of course who doesn't want to see the big guns? Most notably, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Colten Teubert, Curtis Hamilton and Anton Lander.  The aforementioned players briefly spoke to the media about their physicals and about their up-coming season.


Click the link provided by www.edmontonoilers.com


http://video.oilers.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=4

#	PLAYER	POS	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	D.O.B	HOMETOWN
1	Bunz, Tyler	G	6'1	196	Feb 11, 1992	St. Albert, AB
30	Roy, Olivier	G	6'0	165	Jul 12, 1991	Amqui, QC
45	Lowery, Ryan	D	5'11	189	Sep 06, 1988	Inverness, IL
50	Brown, Adam	G	5'10	165	Oct 12, 1991	Yorba Linda, CA
51	Cornet, Philippe	LW	6'0	173	Mar 28, 1990	Val-Senneville, QC
57	Lander, Anton	C	6'0	194	Apr 24, 1991	Sundsvall
59	Smith, Colin	C	5'10	157	Jun 20, 1993	Edmonton, AB
61	Rieder, Tobias	C	5'10	180	Jan 10, 1993	Landshut
63	Pelss, Kristians	LW	5'11	171	Sep 09, 1992	Preili
64	Kytnar, Milan	C	6'0	180	May 19, 1989	Topolcany
66	Martindale, Ryan	C	6'3	185	Oct 27, 1991	Brooklin, ON
68	Pitlick, Tyler	C	5'10	163	Nov 01, 1991	Centerville, MN
69	Ewanyk, Travis	C	6'0	176	Mar 29, 1993	St. Albert, AB
70	Hamilton, Curtis	LW	6'3	202	Dec 04, 1991	Tacoma, WA
71	Czerwonka, Drew	LW	6'2	192	Jul 01, 1992	Glenavon, SK
72	Nugent-Hopkins, Ryan	C	6'0	171	Apr 12, 1993	Burnaby, BC
73	Abney, Cameron	RW	6'4	192	May 23, 1991	Aldergrove, BC
75	Tyrvainen, Antti	LW	5'10	198	Apr 03, 1989	Seinajoki
76	Schaber, Chase	C	6'0	194	Jan 03, 1991	Red Deer, AB
78	Gernat, Martin	D	6'5	187	Apr 11, 1993	Kosice
79	Ferguson, Brett	LW	6'0	185	Mar 06, 1990	Vibank, SK
80	Marincin, Martin	D	6'4	187	Feb 18, 1992	Kosice
81	Fedun, Taylor	D	6'1	210	Jun 04, 1988	Edmonton, AB
82	Blain, Jeremie	D	6'2	190	Mar 19, 1992	Longueuil, QC
84	Teubert, Colten	D	6'4	201	Mar 08, 1990	White Rock, BC
85	Schmidt, Tyler	D	6'3	196	Apr 13, 1990	Winnipeg, MAN
87	Musil, David	D	6'3	196	Apr 09, 1993	Calgary, AB
88	Davidson, Brandon	D	6'1	190	Aug 21, 1991	Taber, AB
90	Vannieuwenhuizen, Wes	D	6'3	205	Apr 20, 1992	Chilliwack, BC
92	Rajala, Toni	RW	5	163	Mar 29, 1991	Parkano

Coming up in a matter of hours is the weekly, "Oh I remember that!"

Oilers Update - Russian Plane Crash Kills Hockey Team

43 passengers including 27 members of the Lokomotiv Yaroslav Russian hockey team, died in a plane crash Wednesday in Tunoshuna Russia.

Authorities say that the Yak-42 crashed in to the Volga River moments after lift-off from the city of Yaroslavl.


Among the dead is: Canadian and former NHL Player and Coach Brad McCrimmon;  who took over the club as Head Coach in May. Former Canucks forward, Pavol Demitra, Czech players Josef Vasicek, Karel Rachunek and Jan Marek and other notables Ruslan Salei and Karlis Skrastins all perished.


The club was headed to Minsk Belarus to play Dynamo Minsk this coming thursday to kick off the start of the Kontinental Hockey League season.


There is no official word yet about how and why the plane crashed.


Edmonton Oilers Ryan Smyth, Eric Belanger and Yann Danis spoke to the media about the tragedy.

http://video.oilers.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=4&id=122433

My thoughts and prayers to all the families and friends. 

Video provided by www.edmontonoilers.com

Oilers Update - Ryan Smyth hits the ice.

After nearly a 4 year absence with the Edmonton Oilers, Ryan Smyth reunited with his old teammates for some pre-main camp training whilst wearing a very familiar looking helmet.

Click the link.



http://video.oilers.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=4&id=122341

Video link provided by http://www.edmontonoilers.com/

Apologies for the wrong link earlier.

Oilers Update - Oh I remember that! Dave Semenko + Tim Hunter = Brawl

Hockey fans it is time for some more "Oh I remember that!"


I am going to take you back to April 17th 1983 when our beloved Edmonton Oilers took on our much hated Southern opponents inside the old Corral Centre in Calgary, Alberta.


To set the tone of the game late in the season, the bench bosses from both sides, decided to send out their respective pugilists give the crowd something cheer about.


As deviously planned, Dave Semeko said hello to his old friend Tim Hunter along the boards and the pair immediately dropped the mitts for a small tilt.  


After a nearly one minute of fist o' cuffs the linesmen came in to throw-in-the-towel and held on to the goons to end the scrap. Nano seconds later, with a his fist free from the clutches of linesman Finn, Semeko threw one last punch at Hunter to punctuate the end of the fight...or so he thought.    Calgary's Jim Peplinski took exception to the cheap shot and ran after Semenko.  Within moments Peplinski's act sparked an old school line-brawl.

Video provided by Youtube (uploaded by www.hockeyfights.com)

Oilers Update - Wade Belak Found Dead

Former Nashville Predator Wade Belak was found dead at his condo in Toronto yesterday.


The Nashville Predators released a statement about Belak's death.


"The Nashville Predators organization and family is shocked and saddened by the sudden and untimely passing of Wade Belak.  Wade was a beloved member of the oraganization, a terrific teammate and a wonderful father and husband who will be greatly missed.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Jennifer and children Andie and Alex.  We offer out full support to them at this very difficult time."


The cause of Belak's death has not yet been found, though police do not suspect foul play.

Belak was originally drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in 1994, he then went on to play with Colorado, Calgary, Florida, Toronto and finally retired from the Nashville Predators after being placed on waivers.


He was 35 years-old.


Oilers Update mourns the loss of Wade Belak and our condolences to his family and friends.








  

Oilers Update - #93 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

It appears that the 2011 1st Round Draft Pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, will make his imminent NHL debut with #93 on his back.


Nugent-Hopkins, appeared at the NHLPA Rookie Showcase in Toronto while wearing the legendary Oilers Retro sweater, along with his full hyphenated last name.  


Below is a video provided by www.edmontonoilers.com where we see Nugent-Hopkins talking about getting his picture taken for his rookie card.


http://video.oilers.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=4&id=122245

Oilers Update - Oh I remember that! Ryan Smyth loses teeth.

Hello hockey fans, I hope you are enjoying the final days of summer!  


Today on "Oh I remember that!" we are going to head back to the 2006 Stanley Cup Play-Offs, when the #1 hated Ex-Oiler decided to play dentist on tough-as-nails Ryan Smyth.


Being down a goal in the 2nd period, Dr. Chris Pronger had the puck behind the net and without thinking "did-the-right-thing" by attempting to clear the puck out of his zone to kill some time off of the Sharks power-play.  However, his patient Captain Canada just happened to intercept the errant puck utilizing his mouth.


Smyth went down with gloves in his face and stood up after wincing in pain for 9 whole seconds. Like the good Canadian kid that he his, Smyth skated off of the ice without the aid of trainer Ken Lowe.


Aren't we all glad that Ryan Smyth is back where he is supposed to be.

Oilers Update - Taylor Hall Injury Update - Duane Sutter

Edmonton Oilers forward Taylor Hall revealed to the media about his off season, health and expectations for the coming year.  

http://video.oilers.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=4&id=122060

There is little doubt in my mind that Taylor Hall will come out flying as soon as he steps on the ice when the season begins.  Before, his first career tilt with Derek Dorsett on March 3rd 2011, the hockey world was just beginning to get a sniff of what Taylor Hall can accomplish.  Just moments before he dropped the mitts, Hall nearly scored a highlight reel goal after undressing Fedor Tyutin of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Also, Edmonton Oilers GM Steve Tambellini announced that he has added Duane Sutter to the scouting staff.   

“We are absolutely thrilled to be adding someone of Duane’s caliber to our scouting staff.  Duane brings a vast knowledge of the game and will complement our staff very well.” said Tambellini.


Sutter joins the club after being part of the Calgary Flames where he was the Director of Player Personnel between 2008-2011.


Antony S Scandale


*quote and video provided by www.edmontonoilers.com

Oilers Update - Taylor Hall Hat Trick. Oh I remember that!

T.G.I.F!!!!  That's right.  It's time for "Oh I remember that!"

Today, our trip down memory lane will be a short one.  On February 19th 2011 the Edmonton Oilers were down by 2 goals against the now defunct Atlanta Thrashers after two periods.  

Early in the 3rd the Oilers were granted a 4 on 3 man advantage when rookie Taylor Hall decided to play magician by scoring his first NHL "natural" Hat Trick to put the Oilers ahead 4-3.  Fellow Oiler  Ales Hemsky, then provided 5th and final goal with an empty-netter.

What was absolutely magical about the young mans heroics was that all three goals all happened on the power-play. 

Enjoy! 

An excerpt from the Edmonton Oilers website as written by Dan Rosen from NHL.com 

EDMONTON OILERS

Last season: 25-45-12, 62 points (5th place Northwest, 15th place Western)
Additions: Eric Belanger, C; Ryan Smyth, LW; Ben Eager, LW; Darcy Hordichuk, LW; Cam Barker, D; Andy Sutton, D; Yann Danis, G
Subtractions: Andrew Cogliano, C; Kurtis Foster, D; Colin Fraser, C; Zack Stortini, RW; Jason Strudwick, D; Steve MacIntyre, LW; Jim Vandermeer, D; Jean-Francois Jacques, LW
Up-and-comers: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C; Jeff Petry, D; Linus Omark, LW; Teemu Hartikainen, LW; Alex Plante, D; Colton Teubert, D

Despite being the No. 1 pick, Nugent-Hopkins is not guaranteed a roster spot on this Oilers team mainly because general manager Steve Tambellini has provided the club depth at the center position with Sam Gagner, Shawn Horcoff, Belanger and Gilbert Brule. If Nugent-Hopkins doesn't make the club, it'll be the first time in 20 years that a forward drafted No. 1 didn't jump straight to the NHL.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Getty Images)

To make playing Nugent-Hopkins worthwhile, Oilers coach Tom Renney would have to play him on the first or second line. That means he'd have to knock either Gagner or Horcoff out of the top six. It's not impossible, and Tambellini even opened a roster spot for Nugent-Hopkins by trading Cogliano to Anaheim.

The Oilers have obviously had issues up and down their lineup for two seasons, and Tambellini feels he addressed some by bringing Smyth back and adding Eager to the fourth line as well as Sutton and Barker to the blue line. Sutton or Barker will likely be a second-pair defenseman along with Ladislav Smid, who re-upped for two more seasons this summer.

No matter what the veterans do, the success or failure of Edmonton's 2011-12 season will be measured in the development of its young core. Taylor Hall, Magnus Paajarvi, Jordan Eberle and Omark are all coming off promising rookie seasons. If Nugent-Hopkins can effectively join in that core at the NHL level this season, the Oilers will be a step closer to becoming a contender again.

Follow Dan Rosen on Twitter at: @drosennhl

Author: Dan Rosen | NHL.com Senior Writer

Oilers Update - Rick Rypien found dead.

According to CTV Vancouver (www.ctv.ca), former Vancouver Canucks player Rick Rypien was found dead in his home early this evening.



More details to follow about the cause of death.


After playing 9 games with the Canucks last season, Rypien was sent to the Manitoba Moose for conditioning following an injury.  He later signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Winnipeg Jets.


Rypien is the latest NHL player to have passed since Derek Boogaard.  Boogaard passed away three months ago after ingesting a lethal mixture of drugs and alcohol.


Rypien was 27. 


Our condolences to the Rypien family.

Oilers Update - "Oh I remember that!" Roli and Peca!

Hello Oilers Nation!  And of course to those who have stumbled upon my blog.

Tonight! I am typing to you from beautiful Seattle, Washington.   For the weekend, I am here to catch a ball game and to also "baby-sit" my friends during my brother's stag!  As the children take their little naps, I figured I'd sneak away and provide you with an other addition of "Oh I remember that!" 

I will keep this short and sweet as I do not want my ramblings to interfere with some serious drinking time. 

I am so glad you all understand!

We are going to break away from #99 and turn our attention to something which happend during that magical Stanley Cup run in 2006. 

The goal I am about to show you was one of my absolute favorites during 2006 play-offs. In my opinon this goal was one which stood out for me during the play-offs and one I think deserved some more credit than it recieved many moons ago.

The play was simple: Goaltender Dwayne Roloson decided to kill some time on the Ducks' power-play by dumping the puck into the Ducks' zone.  However, the attemped aerial "dump-in" immeadiatly converted into a pass to Micheal Peca who went in all alone on Sebastian Giguere to put the Oilers up 1-0.

Enjoy!

Oilers Update - "Oh I remember that!" Pro Stars Wayne Gretzky

This week on "Oh I remember that!" is something I am positive you eaten at least once in your life. There is no secret, I used to tug on my mother's shirt to convince her to buy me that toy or box of cereal whilst shopping. My tricks were simple I would: administer a slight tantrum and/or unleash my brown, puppy dog eyes upon her and for some reason, my mother obliged.


General Mills', Pro Stars was a hit within my family of 4 children and definitely the one cereal I needed to have while watching Muppet Babies and Pee Wee's Play House on a Saturday morning. 


After watching this commercial, I remembered just how good the cereal was, until I realized that Pro Stars was nothing but star shaped Honey Nut Cheerios! 


Oh I am sure there was more than a touch of sweetness there...honey!!!!!!


Those bastards!

Enjoy!


This Sunday! H.O.P.E. Honorable mention goals!

Oilers Update - Top 4 Goals by H.O.P.E. - Jordan Eberle

Happy Monday.


Oilers Update experienced some technical difficulties yesterday which made it impossible to bring to you the 4th and final installment of the "Top 4 Goals by H.O.P.E."

However, without further adieu here is the final goal brought to you by the letter "E" for Eberle.

Eberle, Jordan 
#14
May 15 1990

Height 6'0"

Weight 185

Regina Canada
Drafted 22nd Overall 2008 NHL Draft
NHL Stats 18(g) 25 (a) 43 (p) in 69 games











The Game


Calgary Flames vs Edmonton Oilers


Oct 7th 2010

Eberle Scores his first NHL goal in his first NHL Game.

Anatomy of the Play:

Early in the 3rd period, the Calgary Flames were looking to tie the game at one a piece with a power play goal.  With the puck loose behind Nikolai Khabibulin's net, Jim Vandermeer collected the puck and calmly banked the puck off the boards to find Eberle's stick.  With speed, Eberle went in on a two one with Shawn Horcoff and well you know the rest...

Eberle's brilliant play, instantly became an highlight reel goal and was voted by many hockey fans to be the best goal scored within 2010/11 season.

Next Sunday! Honorable mention goals by H.O.P.E.