Next week the Edmonton Oilers will be holding their annual summer prospect camp and this year's list of players is a mixed bag of newly drafted players, guys who have been with the organization for a while now and also a trio of un-drafted free agents. The team is expected to release the camp roster in the next day or so but The Pipeline Show was able to obtain a partial copy ahead of time.Confirmed to be in attendance:
GOALIES:
• Bryan Pitton
• Olivier Roy
DEFENSE:
• Jeff Petry
• Kyle Bigos
• Troy Hesketh
• Jeremie Blain
FORWARDS:
• Milan Kytnar
• Toni Rajala
• Chris Vande Velde
• Philippe Cornet
• Anton Lander
• Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson
• Teemu Hartikainen
• Tyler Pitlick
• Curtis Hamilton
Invited but not yet confirmed:
GOALIES:
• Tyler Bunz
DEFENSE:
• Brandon Davidson
• Martin Marincin
• Damon Kipp
FORWARDS:
• Jordan Eberle
• Cameron Abney
• Connor Jones
• Kellen Jones
• Drew Czerwonka
• Taylor Hall
• Ryan Martindale
• Kristians Pelss
• Mike Connolly
Fans who hoped to watch Linus Omark take part in drills will be disappointed but the 23-year-old won't be there, unless additions to this list are made. Omark has been playing professionally for a few years now so is excused from the camp just like Liam Reddox, Ryan O'Marra, Alex Plante, Johan Motin, etc.Also not on the list is Robby Dee, a prospect most Oiler fans will have written off long ago but the Maine Black Bear had a career year with 25 points in 33 NCAA games - decent numbers for a guy getting his career back on track after a myriad of serious injuries.
While still on the "unconfirmed" list, newcomers Tyler Bunz, Drew Czerwonka and Kellen Jones all told The Pipeline Show on Tuesday night that they would be in attendance. Jones also made mention that his twin brother Conner would accept an invitation unless a sore ankle prevented him from taking part. You can hear that interview HERE.
Connor Jones, an un-drafted invitee, had a strong year for the Vernon Vipers helping them capture their second consecutive RBC Cup as the Canadian Junior A Champions. He racked up 81 points in 59 BCHL regular season games plus 20 more in 19 playoff appearances. Both Jones brothers are headed to Quinnipiac in the ECAC Conference of NCAA hockey. I asked Kellen if he viewed his selection in Saturday's draft as a package deal with his brother, they've always played together every step of the way and both hope to continue that as pros, and he admitted that they both did. Edmonton has two for the price of one draft pick, if they eventually sign the twins.
Mike Connolly is an interesting invite and one that I really support. The former Camrose Kodiak was, in my opinion, the biggest reason the team captured the AJHL title in 2008. That club also featured Joe Colborne who would be selected in the 1st round by Boston while Connolly was overlooked completely. The 5'9, 190 lb forward scored 66 points in just 37 AJHL games that year with the Kodiaks. Connolly has spent the last two seasons with the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs where he has finished third in team scoring each year; he's had 42 and 40 points campaigns so far.The other free agent invite is New Hampshire defenceman Damon Kipp who checks in a 6'2 and 205 lbs. The product of Salmon Arm BC played 4 years with the local BCHL team, the Silverbacks, before beginning his NCAA career. Kipp had 16 points last year with the Wildcats.
Unless something changes, those are the only three players invited who don't already belong to the Oilers. With three goalies coming to camp, I'd personally like to see the team invite a fourth just to balance out the drills. Cam Lanigan of the Edmonton Oil Kings is available after being overlooked at the 2010 draft in Los Angeles.
As for forwards, local product Cody Kunyk (the Canadian Junior A player of the Year) would be a convenient add on. Kunyk is slated to go to Alaska in the Fall but his WHL rights are held by the Prince George Cougars. Would there be any harm in bringing him in for a look? He scored 87 points in 51 games this past season with the Sherwood Park Crusaders and he talked to TPS back in December.How about big 6'5, 255 lb Luke Curadi of the Penticton Vees? The big blueliner didn't get drafted so he's free to pick and choose a camp to attend before heading off to R.P.I. in the Fall. Curadi had 17 points in 58 games but also picked up 98 PIMs and was ranked 125th overall by NHL Central Scouting but didn't get a sniff from a drafting team.
The list was not set in stone so some changes may still occur. A team source suggested that all players on the invited list are expected to be taking part in the sessions. I'd like to see a few more players added, perhaps 5 in all, but this is a nice looking roster. The prospect camp is being held from July 5-9th.
5 comments:
When/where is the prospects game and is the public allowed to watch?
It has always been at Millenium Place in Sherwood Park which is definitely open to the public.
However, Kevin Prendergast was the person who always organized it before and now it's Mike Sillinger so he may have decided to go elsewhere.
It would be stupid not to capitalize on fan interest in these players though which is right now at an all-time high. I would be stunned if they held the camp behind closed doors.
will you guys be posting an in depth look of prospect camp rosters for each team, or just edmonton? Its cool to see an in depth look at each team, and invites that you normally wouldn't hear/see. I hope Lanigan gets invited by a team, surprised he was passed up.
this camp IS just Edmonton.
You're getting this one confused with the mini-tournament in September.
Guy, I'm a big proponent of defenseman Josh Caron of the Kamloops Blazers. He's a beast, he can fight, he's probably the WHL champ, and more important he played some shutdown D and looked to develop some game this year. He's worth a look forsure. He's the type of player we can use if he has the game.
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