SUSPECT OR PROSPECT? Travis Ewanyk

Travis Ewanyk

6’1 184 lbs

AGE: 19

Year         GP   G     A     P      +/-     Team

2008/09     2      0       0     0     -1       Edmonton Oil-Kings

2009/10     42    1       4     5     -8       Edmonton Oil-Kings

2010/11     72    16     11   27   -3       Edmonton Oil-Kings

2011/12     11    1       3     4      8       Edmonton Oil-Kings


Travis played hurt (shoulder) at the U18's before being drafted by the Oilers. "He had played against the other team's best lines," said Hockey Canada's chief scout Kevin Prendergast. "I'd say Travis, (winger) Brent Andrews from Halifax and (centre) Mark Scheifele have improved their draft stock the most."

Kyle Woodlief, the chief scout and publisher of the highly respected Red Line Report on draft age juniors stated "He has better hands and stick skills than I realized and his fire and passion are unmatched."

His defensive play is very good as is his intensity to compete. His strength lies on his board work and strength on the puck. Ewanyk is very strong on his skates but will still need to bulk up size wise and improve puck skills. Only my estimate but he would require to put on some pretty heavy muscle mass in his legs and core (to get to at least 210 lbs). For Travis to carve out a career in the NHL, he would need to fill a 3rd or 4th line role. As a 3rd line center he would need to win the board battles against big defenders who are 6'3 and over 215 pounds and build like a brick house. In a 4th line role, a good back check and strong forechecker would be what would be required to accomplish that task before him.

Travis was not as strong a player in the playoffs as I was hoping he would be, on the other hand he was returning from a long recovery from injury once again. I would suggest this is his year to display and show a large growth curve if he is going to have any chance of a pro career. What I find rather surprising is his career plus/minus and point totals really do not show why he was selected by the Oilers at all. If you look at the other players selected behind him his draft year you soon realize he was a good selection. The only question could be why was Michael St. Croix not selected instead of Travis but then on the other hand we are discussing two different types of players.


Last August 2011 I wrote the following here at Oilers Jambalaya....
He is no doubt, a hard worker who got better as last year went on. This past 2011 development camp it was mentioned by coach’s that he is very attentive, learns quick and they like his ability to translate instruction quickly into on ice drills. This year will be a bigyear for a better read as to how far he can progress.  Has future NHL possibility as 4th line center, or a 3rd line center at best.

With a good showing at the World U-18 he was able to get a reputation for his efficient two-way play. Travis is considered a very good faceoff man, and a versatile center.(don't forget it was his assignment to contain RNH during their playoff series). Strong in puck battles and can hold his own when the gloves are dropped. It helps he plays right here for the Oil Kings. (which he will play for again this year and continue to hone his game night after night where the team can closely monitor his progress)

REVS TAKE: Travis continues to be very good at picking up systems quickly. The question will remain, is it possible to translate at the pro level. His game at the jr level with the Oil-Kings was good but not great and in no way showed he was a potential candidate for the NHL. When it comes to heart and work ethic, Travis will put in his best foot forward. Only time will now tell. I say SUSPECT

For Oiler prospect news and the 2013 or 2014 NHL draft watch, go to

 www.twitter.com/revingev

PROSPECT OR SUSPECT? Philippe Cornet

Philippe Cornet

6’0  ,196 lbs

AGE: 22

Year         GP   G     A     P      +/-     Team
2006/07    46    7      14    21     4       Rimouski Oceanic
2007/08    61    23    26    49     14     Rimouski Oceanic
2008/09    63    29    48    77     -2      Rimouski Oceanic
2009/10    65    28    49    77     6       Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
2010/11    60    7      16    23     7       OKC Barons
2011/12    67    24    13    37     -3      OKC Barons
2011/12    2      0      1      1       0       Edmonton Oilers



At the 2008 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Edmonton, he scored a goal for Team Red in an eventual 8-4 loss... at 6-0, 173 pounds, he is undersized for the pro game and will need to add strength in order to become a quality NHL prospect... the No. 2 overall selection in the 2006 QMJHL draft, he can line up at both center or left wing... produced 49 points in 61 games for Rimouski in 2007-08... has slick moves and deft playmaking ability, but can also find the back of the net regularly...


That was then......and this is now. A lot has changed for Cornet who has not become the player the Oilers had hoped. He did however take a huge step forward this past year and produced in the goal department very well notching 24 goals. A lot of those goals were earlier on in the season however and Cornet did not continue that rapid pace as the season neared its end. 


His first year as a pro was a difficult one with adjusting to the game but this past season went a long ways to even getting a quick 2 game look during injuries.I will say this, he put on 23 pounds as he grew into his frame. His off ice conditioning showed he has a goal and won't stop at anything to try to make that happen.


Last August 2011 I wrote the following here at Oilers Jambalaya.....

Cornet is a player who has needed time to adjust to the speed of the pro game. He's not a player who is found out of position, lost on the ice or even making bad mistakes. He is just struggling to be the player he was in jr. His development curve is starting to look familiar to the same as Ryan O'Marra. Good player but development has slowed and too many new young prospects coming into the system. Maybe he has to discover himself at the pro level.  Most likely he will be a player sometime down the road, but not sure it will be with the Edmonton Oilers. BUBBLE player who will need to play above his head this year in order to make any progress out of that BUBBLE!

REVS TAKE: Now 2 years into his Pro debut with OKC, Cornet is still working on his game development. No one out there will be selecting Cornet as a call up to the Oilers provided they are not over took with injuries. His high end potential is more the style of a third line winger but likely will not see a spot other then fourth line duty. Another player who you got to admire his work ethic and determination but very few players even make it to the NHL level and I don't see Philippe doing so either. I say SUSPECT

For Oiler prospect news and the 2013 or 2014 NHL draft watch, go to

 www.twitter.com/revingev

PROSPECT OR SUSPECT? Cameron Abney

Cameron Abney

6’5 205 lbs

AGE: 21

Year       GP  G  A   P    +/-     Team

2007/08   4     0   0    0     -1       Everett Silvertips

2008/09   48   1   3    4     -17     Everett Silvertips

2009/10   64   6   7    13   -11     Everett Silvertips/Edmonton Oil-Kings

2010/11   60   7  13  20     -3      Edmonton Oil-KIngs

2011/12   29   2   3    5      -2      Stockton Thunder

2011/12   3     0   0    0      -1      OKC Barons

Was Selected in the third round (82nd overall) of the 2009 National Hockey League Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers. Skated in two games for Edmonton at the NHL YoungStars Tournament, collecting an assist, a +1 rating and fighting major. Throughout his career Cameron has remained on the bottom end of the plus/minus scale.

Cameron definitely progressed better at the jr hockey level upon being traded to the Oil-kings in Edmonton. If you take a closer look at his growth development on ice and off for training a lot of that could be seen as a sudden increase in maturity with his physical stature. Blessed with a big body, I believe the Oilers are hoping to see continued development. 

I met his parents in 2009 at the Alberta Golden Bears vs Oiler Rookies and his parents are definitely supportive of him and his career. Abney appears to be a fun loving and out-going individual who likes to joke around. He puts in hard work and has continued to work on the speed of his game out on the ice. 

His time in Stockton last year showed he is still a tough young guy plus he can produce minimally which is always a bonus. He occasionally gets caught out of position if he tries to over commit on the pokecheck as turning around his big body is not a easy task against high speed attackers. His few games in OKC were a cup of tea and really can not be measured with any accuracy. 

I am pretty sure the Oilers are hoping he can make more out of his Pro career and take a big step forward this year. It will require a lot of extra work but if Cameron can produce occasionally , bang a few bodies at the right times and stand up for his teammates he could still eventually find himself with a  limited role career at least in Pro hockey. Question remains, at what level?

In many cases, players like Abney seldom can overcome all the obstacles that lie in wait. While enforcers are still out there in hockey, they are becoming a dying breed. He will need to see his speed increase and some better decision making in the offensive zone should he have even a remote chance of one day making the NHL.


Last year in August 2011, I wrote the following here at Oilers Jambalaya...

Seen him first at Oiler Rookies VS Golden Bears game. Saw him at 2010 development Camp, following that, did catch the streaming video of last years rookie tourney in Penticton and saw him at main training camp and then 2011 development Camp.  Abney has made progress each time I have seen him. He is one of those players who is bigger and can look slow to some, while others recognize he is actually quite quick for a man his size. Unfortunately for him (like many others that are developing) he has his days when he lacks the drive on a consistent basis. At this past summers development camp he looked a bit slow at the beginning but by the end of the week , while playing on RNH’s team for scrimmage, he was moving the puck and protecting it well. His game is not that of a skill player but as a tough guy (remember the video's above?) Should he continue to develop as the Oilers hope he can, his role as a 4th line checker and fighter is a legit goal for him. I Believe to play in the WHL next year he would have to be a overage player and their are limited spots on each team, so likely he will be moved up in the system  to play 1 year in the ECHL followed by 1 year in AHL.  Should he need longer at the ECHL, most likely it will mean he becomes a BUBBLE player. However, should he be ready in 1 year for the AHL club, he could very well take 2 years to finish his development at the minor pro level. If in 3 years time, Abney is not ready for the big club, he will move from the development stage to suspect stage. It is a Critical year to show his tough guy and player development ability. Thinks the game well but will need to work on foot speed and consistency to work his way onto the AHL team. 

REVS TAKE: This is a make or break year for Abney. Likely will spend at least 70% of his games in Stockton once again but will more then likely get a opportunity here and there to elevate his game at the AHL level in more then a handful of games. Chances are Abney's high end will be AHL but he did complete 4 years of jr hockey and has a full 4 year scholarship paid for at a Canadian University. 

I have seen Abney at all the training and development camps since 09 and this last year he has looked like he is peaking. One thing that Cameron does excel in, is his role as a enforcer. He knows the game and how to perform his role well and appears to like doing so. Wishing him all the best in his development. He did not have the growth curve that could move him full-time to the AHL this year so without doubt , this truly is his year where he needs to storm the gates and show management exactly what they have for the future. I say SUSPECT

For Oiler prospect news and the 2013 or 2014 NHL draft watch, go to

 www.twitter.com/revingev

Oiler Evaluations and Development

Starting tomorrow August 1st/2012, I will be rolling out a new Oiler prospect each day. The idea is not to break down and compare each player to player or even rank the top 20 or 25 players in the system. The idea is to take a closer look at each player in the system and consider if they are a legitimate Prospect or are Suspect. 


Let's be honest, the Oilers have players in the system who fill some roles and will never see the light of day in the NHL. Sure they can hold out hope for a chance, and you can never say never but c'mon. Any player can have a 1 year breakout season and then disappear into the MIST. Players who make it to the NHL are players who continually show the growing curve. Rob Schremp is one of those examples. I loved Schremp, but his progress slowed coming out of Jr's and he was never able to gain the speed on the ice that was needed.


Within the Oilers development system, I bet there are maybe 8 players who will ever even play more then a half a season in the NHL. In fact, that is even probably high. Just consider that the Oilers have been getting high draft picks for years, what would others teams %'s be?


So starting tomorrow, stay tuned in for a daily look in the month of August as I examine players in the Oilers system and evaluate if they are a PROSPECT or SUSPECT?

For Oiler prospect news and the 2013 or 2014 NHL draft watch, go to

 www.twitter.com/revingev

Prospect or Suspect? COMING in AUGUST

Last year I made my debut here at Oilers Jambalaya in August with a opening series called Prospect or Suspect?. I walked through the prospects within the system of the Edmonton Oilers and evaluated and gave my take on their potential future with the organization.

This August I will once again put out such blogs however at the same time I will re-visit some of my evaluations of the players I spoke of last year and see just where they are today. How accurate was I? I can't really say, cause I have not re-visited those posts. 

For some of you hockey fans, this may not be a series of posts you have any interest in, for others you like to follow and see the development of players within the organization. There is a lot of players so it will most likely be broken down into a FORWARD series, DEFENCEMEN series and a GOALIE series of blogs.

At the beginning of September I will also be releasing my 

REVS 2013 TOP 15 NHL PROSPECTS list for the first time. Their is a group of 7 players that I am confident in, and 4 who I feel strong about but then there is about 6-8 other players to place in that mix. Last year, of the 15 players selected in the 2012 NHL Draft I had 12 in my REVS 2012 TOP 15 NHL PROSPECTS list released the beginning of October 2011. It will be hard to duplicate that one or improve on.

Stay tuned for more prospect information as the summer presses on.

Go Oilers! Go Barons! Go Thunder!

For Oiler prospect news and the 2013 or 2014 NHL draft watch, go to

 www.twitter.com/revingev