The Young Stars Tournament, is it Important to the Oilers?

If the Edmonton Oilers rookies don't dominate the Young Stars tournament and go undefeated, is that considered a fail? Is this tournament a definite measure of how good our rookies actually are? How much impact does this have for these kids in the long run? How is this Oilers team going to fare against the other rookie teams they are facing? Hmmmm...

After looking at the Calgary Flames Young Stars roster, I think the Oilers have a good chance to win that game. Other than the more experienced goaltending and a couple of forwards, the Flames don't have a top notch roster. No doubt though, based on skill (Hall, Eberle & Paajarvi) I think the Oilers should win this one.

Here is the San Jose Sharks roster. They look beatable no? Sure the Sharks rookies are pretty big, but with the Oilers speed and skill, they should out preform those pesky sharks. If the Oilers do lose one game out of the three, it's this one against the Sharks.

What about the Vancouver Canucks? Here is their roster. Do think the Oil can win this game too? I do. They are led by Cody Hodgson who has some experience so they will be a decent group, but with the Oilers fire power, the Oilers should have the advantage in a straight up run and gun game. If I'm a betting man, this game I put my money on the Oilers.

So if the Oilers play it out like that, a 2 wins, 1 loss record is pretty good. Let's just see what happens. I suppose the big question will be to see if they can get it together and work as a team right from day 1?

Anything less than a 2 wins 1 loss record will not be disastrous, but definitely not a good thing for the organization, publicity included. But then again, I may be reading too much into a rookie tournament. Maybe this is all fluff and show and not meat and potatoes like I'm thinking it is?

Regardless, I can't wait to see these kids in action.

On a side note: Look at the roster below and pay attention for these games. Many of these kids might be with the OKC Barons this year and there isn't much footage from there.

HERE IS THE OILERS ROSTER

Forwards
Cameron Abney RW Right 6' 4" 192 23 May 1991 Aldergrove, BC, CAN
Philippe Cornet LW LEFT 6' 0" 173 28 Mar 1990 Val-Senneville, QC, CAN
Drew Czerwonka LW LEFT 6' 2" 192 1 Jul 1992 Glenavon, SK, CAN
Jordan Eberle C Right 5' 10" 174 15 May 1990 Regina, SK, CAN
Taylor Hall LW Left 6' 1" 185 14 Nov 1991 Calgary, AB, CAN
Curtis Hamilton LW Left 6' 3" 202 4 Dec 1991 Kelowna, BC, CAN
Teemu Hartikainen C Left 6' 1" 198 3 May 1990 Kuopio, FIN
Milan Kytnar C Left 6' 0" 180 19 May 1989 Topolcany, SVK
James Livingston RW Right 6' 1" 210 8 MAR 1990 Newmarket, ON, CAN camp invite
Ryan Martindale C Left 6' 3" 183 27 Oct 1991 Brooklin, ON, CAN
Magnus Paajarvi LW Left 6' 1" 201 12 Apr 1991 Norrkoping, SWE
Kristians Pelss F Left 5' 11" 179 9 Sep 1992 Preili, LATVIA
Tyler Pitlick C Right 6' 2" 194 1 Nov 1991 Centerville, MN, USA
Chase Schaber C Left 6' 0" 194 3 JAN 1991 Red Deer, AB, CAN camp invite
Mike Thomas RW Right 6' 0" 185 8 FEB 1990 New Maryland, NB, CAN camp invite
Chris Vande Velde C Left 6' 2" 190 15 Mar 1987 Moorhead, MN, USA

Defencemen
Jordan Bendfeld Right 6' 2" 216 2 FEB 1988 Leduc, AB, CAN
Jeremie Blain Right 6' 2" 190 19 Mar 1992 Longueuil, QC, CAN
Brandon Davidson Left 6' 1" 190 21 Aug 1991 Taber, AB, CAN
Dallas Ehrhardt Left 6' 4" 210 31 Jul 1992 CALGARY, AB, CAN camp invite
Martin Marincin Left 6' 4" 187 18 Feb 1992 Kosice, SVK
Johan Motin Right 6' 1" 202 10 Oct 1989 Karlskoga, SWE
Jeff Petry Right 6' 3" 176 9 Dec 1987 Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Alex Plante Right 6' 4" 225 9 MAY 1989 BRANDON, MB, CAN
Dominik Schlumpf Left 6' 1" 175 3 MAR 1991 Switzerland camp invite
Nolan Toigo Left 6' 1" 187 22 JUL 1989 Delta, BC, CAN camp invite

Goaltenders
Tyler Bunz Left 6' 1" 196 11 Feb 1992 St. Albert, AB, CAN
Bryan Pitton Left 6' 2" 168 26 Jan 1988 Mississauga, ON, CAN
Olivier Roy Left 6' 0" 165 12 Jul 1991 Amqui, QC, CAN

HERE IS THE SCHEDULE

Game 1 Vancouver vs Edmonton Sept. 12 4:00pm
Game 2 San Jose vs Anaheim Sept. 12 7:30pm
Game 3 Anaheim vs Calgary Sept. 13 4:00pm
Game 4 San Jose vs Vancouver Sept. 13 7:30pm
Game 5 Calgary vs Edmonton Sept. 14 7:30pm
Game 6 Anaheim vs Vancouver Sept. 15 4:00pm
Game 7 Edmonton vs San Jose Sept. 15 7:30pm
Game 8 Calgary vs Vancouver Sept. 16 12:00pm

**Don't forget that we will have the LIVE TweetCast of the tournament AND we will have the LIVE streaming Oilers games shown right here in the comfort our site. ;) **

-Written by Smokin' Ray-

Are You Attending The Rookie Young Stars Tournament?

As most of you know, we here (the Jambalaya Family and OFH.com) like to do LIVE TweetCast's of events that most people can't attend to provide a more in depth look at what is going on.

The Young Stars tournament is no exception.

We are looking for people who will be at the tournament that can tweet what they see as it unfolds. We need the help of you to make this a success.

If you are going, let us know ( email ) so we can have your tweets included in our LIVE TweetCast of the Young Stars tournament. This will indeed be a special rookie tournament for all those that get to watch it live.

Stay tuned in September for the Jambalaya families and the OilFieldHockey.com LIVE TweetCast and LIVE video footage of the games.

Brought To You By:
OilFieldHockey
Oilers Jambalaya
Flames Jambalaya
Canucks Jambalaya

Jack Michaels Is The New Play By Play Guy

The Edmonton Oilers have hired a new voice for the team. Jack Michaels will be the guy behind the mic. We look forward to hearing him call the games and this announcement was a big mystery to all that followed. Good luck Jack and welcome to Oil Country.

-Smokin' Ray-

Here is what the Oilers say about Jack. As per the Oilers website:

Broadcaster comes to Edmonton with over 900 hockey broadcasts on resume

Tuesday, 24.08.2010 / 9:30 AM / News By Edmonton Oilers Press Release

Jack Michaels, the Oilers new play-by-play voice.

The Edmonton Oilers today announced that Jack Michaels has been named to the position of radio play by play voice of the Edmonton Oilers. Michaels will partner with host and color commentator Bob Stauffer in delivering all Oilers games via the Oilers Radio Network and flagship station 630 CHED.


“We welcome Jack to Oil Country,” said Oilers President and CEO Patrick LaForge. “We underwent a comprehensive search to find the right voice with the right credentials and chemistry to launch this new era of Oilers Radio.”

Jack Michaels, the Oilers
new play-by-play voice.

Michaels, a veteran of over 900 hockey broadcasts, joins the Oilers after eight seasons as the radio and television voice of the ECHL’s Alaska Aces. While with the Aces, Michaels was honoured as the ECHL Broadcaster of the Year in 2004 and was selected by the ECHL to broadcast their annual All Star Game on five separate occasions. Last year’s All Star broadcast was available to over 80 million homes on the NHL Network and Fox Sports West.


“An NHL play by play job has been a dream and believe me this is now a dream come true,” said Michaels. “I know fans have keenly listened to Oilers broadcasts for three decades of fabulous moments, and frankly I can’t wait to get started.”


NHL Hall of Fame broadcaster Mike Emrick, voice of NHL Hockey on NBC said of Michaels, “I first met Jack five years ago, and was immediately struck by the quality of his call, his professionalism and his passion for the game. He’s a great young guy who has it all. There is no question he is 100% NHL ready."


Michaels’ career began after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from Ithaca College in New York. He started as a sports reporter at Cornell University and Ithaca College and then moved on to Erie Pennsylvania and New York City as a Sports Reporter and Production Assistant. Michaels then moved full-time to the hockey world, joining the Colorado Gold Kings of the WCHL where he was the play by play voice for three seasons before moving to Anchorage, Alaska.


Michaels and Stauffer will broadcast all Edmonton Oilers games this year with the exception of 10 ‘Rod’s Classics’ games when Rod Phillips, the Oilers Hall of Fame voice for the past 37 years, will be in the play by play chair.


Edmonton Oilers hockey is presented in part by the Rexall Family of Pharmacies, Molson Canadian, ATB Financial, TELUS, Cenovus Energy and Ford.

The Latest Stockton Thunder Signing, Scott Howes #StkThunder

Scott Howes is Latest to Come Aboard

08/18/2010 8:07 AM - Third year pro makes Stockton his second ECHL stop after two years in Victoria

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MORE: SCOTT HOWES CAREER STATISTICS
VIDEO: "The Goal" - TSN Highlight of the Night
VIDEO: Matt Thomas discusses signing left winger Scott Howes


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks, and head coach Matt Thomas announced today the team has signed unrestricted free agent left wing Scott Howes (HOWZ). Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Scott Howes, at just 22 years of age,
brings 13 career multi-point
games to the Thunder.
(photo by Anne-Marie Sorvin)

Howes, 22, will enter his third year at the professional level after spending the last two ECHL seasons with the Victoria Salmon Kings, scoring 22 goals and 48 points (22g-26a) while adding a +1 rating in 86 career games. He was originally signed to an American Hockey League contract by the Manitoba Moose on July 3, 2008.

"Scott brings an elite level of skill and scoring ability that we're excited to add to our lineup," said Thomas. "Additionally, it's thrilling to realize that he still has room to grow as a young player at the pro level. Through the recruiting process, it's become very evident that his thirst for success and competitive desire will make a terrific fit for the group and type of culture we've developed here in Stockton."

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound forward earned a career-high 12 goals and 26 points (12g-14a) last season in 47 games last year for Victoria. During the season, he earned an assist on a Jan. 15, 2010 goal by Adam Taylor against the Bakersfield Condors that was featured in Canada as the "TSN Highlight of the Night" and also on ESPN.com. The originally posted highlight video has collected over one million views on YouTube.com.

Howes suited up in five AHL games for Manitoba in 2008-09, collecting two penalty minutes.

"If there was any new team I was going to end up with, I told my agent, right from the start, that I wanted it to be Stockton," said Howes. "I'm looking forward to staying in the same conference and the support in each game from Thunder fans, who are the loudest and most loyal I've ever seen in one building for my pro career. It's also where I scored the first hat trick of my career, so it already holds a special meaning."

The native of Toronto spent two years (2006-08) of his major junior career with Drummondville and Saint John of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, skating in 113 career games while scoring 118 points (68g-50a) and 68 goals.

Howes led the Sea Dogs with 42 goals in 2007-08 and was the club's leading scorer in the playoffs, notching 26 points (15g-11a) and 15 goals in 14 postseason games.

OPENING NIGHT AND TICKET INFORMATION

Opening Night is Friday, Oct. 15, when the Thunder opens the 2010-11 regular season at home against the Ontario Reign, starting at 7:30 p.m. at Stockton Arena. The Thunder and Alaska Aces meet in the preseason opener on Oct. 5 at Sullivan Arena, beginning at 8:15 p.m. The Thunder and Ontario Reign square off in the only preseason game at Stockton Arena on Friday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m.

The Thunder are freezing Season Ticket Prices for the 2010-11 season, which are on sale now can be purchased by calling (209) 373-1500 or by visiting http://www.stocktonthunder.com/. Thunder Season Ticket Holders enjoy the highest-demanded seating locations in Stockton Arena, preferred parking options, benefits including admission to Season Ticket Holder-only events, discount opportunities on Thunder merchandise, a free e-newsletter, an exclusive gift, admission to the first two rounds of the Kelly Cup Playoffs and more. Information on individual and group tickets will be announced soon.

A two-time recipient of the ECHL "Award of Excellence," Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew over 200,000 fans for the fifth consecutive season in 2009-10. Season Tickets and mini-plans for 2010-11 are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit http://www.stocktonthunder.com/.

-Written by Stockton Thunder-

Summer Winds Down

As summer winds down, it signifies many things, the most important being, the new hockey season. For the Oilers it has not been the whirl-wind offseason like it was last year with a certain selfish sniper named Dany Heatley. But, that is long forgotten (somewhat), and as we Oilers fans begin to speculate who has it to make the NHL squad, let's take a look back at what transactions took place in this rather satisfying offseason for the Edmonton Oilers after their historic draft:

June 29 - Oilers waive Captain Ethan Moreau, who is picked up by the Columbus Blue Jackets on June 30th

June 30 - Oilers trade Patrick O'Sullivan for more than he's worth (a bag of pucks in my opinion), and received Jim Vandermeer from the Phoenix Coyotes (O'Sullivan's contract is bought out by the Coyotes hours after the trade)

June 30 - Oilers buy out the remainder of Robert Nilsson's contract, he signs with KHL's Salavat Yulaev on July 23rd

July 1 - Oilers sign big D-man Kurtis Foster, who has a had a very tough career but is a very solid player.

July 1 - Oilers UFA Charles Linglet signs with KHL's Nijni Novgorod

July 2 - Oilers UFA Chris Minard signs with the Detroit Red Wings

July 2 - Oilers sign UFA Richard Petiot to a 1-year contract

July 2 - Oilers re-sign UFA Jason Strudwick to a 1-year contract

July 2 - Oilers bring back UFA tough guy Steve MacIntyre on a 1-year contract

July 3 - Oilers sign former AHL MVP UFA Alexandre Giroux to a 1-year contract

July 5 - Oilers sign Number 1 Pick Taylor Hall to a 3-year Entry Level Contract

July 7 - Oilers UFA Ryan Stone signs with the Calgary Flames

July 7 - Oilers sign UFA Brad Moran to a 1-year contract

July 9 - Oilers sign UFA Ben Ondrus to a 1-year contract

July 9 - Oilers UFA Colin McDonald signs an AHL contract with the Oklahoma City Barons

July 13 - Oilers re-sign RFA Devan Dubnyk to a 2-year contract

July 13 - Oilers sign UFA Shawn Belle to a 1-year contract

July 14 - Oilers re-sign RFA J.-F. Jacques to a 1-year contract

July 15 - Oilers re-sign RFA Theo Peckham to a 1-year contract

July 16 - Oilers UFA Slava Trukhno signs with KHL's Novosibirsk

July 16 - Oilers sign UFA Gregory Stewart to a 1-year contract

July 16 - Oilers re-sign RFA Ryan O'Marra to a 1-year contract

July 23 - Oilers UFA Marc-Antoine Pouliot signs with the Tampa Bay Lightning

July 27 - Oilers re-sign RFA Gilbert Brule to a 2-year contract

July 31 - Oilers re-sign RFA Jeff Deslauriers to a 1-year contract

August 6 - Oilers sign UFA Martin Gerber to a 1-year contract

August 9 - Oilers re-sign RFA Liam Reddox to a 1-year contract

August 11 - Oilers UFA Dean Arsene signs with the St. Louis Blues

August 18 - Oilers UFA Fernando Pisani signs with the Chicago Blackhawks

Oilers UFA's unsigned: 6 (Mike Comrie, Josef Hrabal, Aaron Johnson, Matt Nickerson, Geoff Paukovich, Ryan Potulny)

Oilers RFA's unsigned: 2 (Andrew Cogliano, Sam Gagner)

If you look at last years roster, and then this years roster, you will notice that there are huge changes. It's a new era in Oil Country folks. We've finally gotten ridden of the small, inconsistent players that we've had for the better part of four seasons. Here are my projected lines for this year:

Forwards

Penner - Gagner - Hemsky

Hall - Eberle - Brule

Paajarvi - Horcoff - Cogliano

Jones - Fraser - Stortini/Jacques/MacIntyre

Scratches: the two tough guys that aren't in the lineup

Defensemen

Whitney - Gilbert

Smid (Souray*) - Foster

Vandermeer - Strudwick

Scratches: Chorney

Note: Souray will have to accept the fact that no one wants his contract, and will play in Smid's spot if so, leaving Strudwick the odd man out.

I will hold off on fully evaluating the roster until the final roster is announced after pre-season, but I can promise this, there's something special going on here in Edmonton.

-Nick "Oilers Fan" Walker

(As posted on NHLTALK202.com)