The Oilers 2012 Development Camp ended on Monday with applause and cheers from Oilers fans and big smiles from the prospects and coaches on the ice, especially one, Nail Yakupov. The story of this camp was of course Mr.Yakupov, but what has been transpiring within the depth of the Oilers organization is what is even more impressive.
The Oilers should be producing depth picking so early in each round of the last 3 years NHL Entry drafts, but it's also the free agent signings of prospects from college hockey and European leagues as well. The culture being developed and the attention to detailed personal development of each player has been astounding and credit should be given to this organization for staying true to the course and putting money where it's needed most. (In the foundations of development for players)
A couple observations I noticed during todays 4 on 4 tourney. The Twin Towers, Marincin and Gernat were usually paired with one another. Taylor Fedun shows all positive signs of his leg being fully healed with no ill effects on the ice. Kyle Bigos looked impressive in his scrimmage and will be a interesting player to watch this year in his development. Klefbom looks like a well poised and smooth skater who has excellent passing skills and good positioning. Roy and Bunz show no signs in their goaltending development of being behind the 8 ball.
And of course the team 'clown' at training camp is the Oilers very own #1 OV Draft pick Nail Yakupov. Some watching camp were not impressed with his ability to perform some drills well, but what can be forgotten is this camp is for teaching and developing not for evaluating someone on a skill they have not yet learned. When the scrimmage came on and Yakupov could control the puck, he showed he has GAME, and a sense of humour to boot.
DAY 6 ON ICE DEVELOPMENT CAMP:
4 on 4 full ice game tourney on
About 700 fans here in Sherwood Park, to watch
Probably 800 fans now in building.
Play starting to get rough out on ice #oilersdevelopmentcamp
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