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 Re: April 15 [message #782899 is a reply to message #782897 ]
Thu, 15 April 2021 10:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Adam is currently offline Adam
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Location: Edmonton, AB
6 Cups
benv wrote on Thu, 15 April 2021 10:11


Jason Bonsignore
Born: April 15, 1976 (turns 45 today) in Rochester, New York.
Position: Centre (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 4th overall, June 28, 1994.
Oilers Career: 1994-95 to 1995-96: 21 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Tampa Bay (with Steve Kelly and Bryan Marchment) for Paul Comrie and Roman Hamrlik, December 30, 1997.

Bonsignore was a big right shot centre, and in 1994 the highest ever draft pick by the Oilers at 4th overall. He was called up from junior to play one game for the Oilers in 94-95 and he scored a goal--things were looking good. During the 95-96 season his star quickly fell as he played 20 games with the Oilers and got only two assists. He would spend the rest of his time in the organization in the AHL and the Oilers were able to unload him to Tampa Bay. He never could fulfill his potential as he spent the next eleven years (minus two years he sat out) playing a bit in the NHL but mostly in the minors and Europe. He retired in 2008. Can't find much since then--he did a bit of minor league coaching and even played a bit at the age of 40 with the Hamilton Steelhawks. I heard an interview with him on Edmonton sports radio about ten years ago and he seemed a bit bitter about how he was treated during his time in Edmonton--claiming his lack of success was due, at least in part, to how the Oilers handled him. Don't remember specifics so I'll just wish him a happy 45th.




Here's the story from Jason Bonsignore:

https://oilersnation.com/2011/09/02/an-epic-rant-jason-bonsi gnore-on-his-failed-days-with-the-edmonton-oilers/comment-pa ge-1/

To be fair to him, it would suck to be remembered only as a bust of a draft pick and to have people call you out two decades later over your work ethic as a 20-year old. The weight of expectations for him as the highest draft pick in team history would be pretty substantial, and the Oilers were unfortunate in 1994, as they were in 2012 because they had a really high pick in a really weak draft. Bonsignore played less than anyone else in the top 10 that year other than Brett Lindros - who had to retire very early due to concussions - so there is more to it than just the expectations and the draft year and Glen Sather being mean, but I accept that it wouldn't be fun to be just remembered for that and I can understand why he'd love to change the narrative if he could.

"Thinking that a bad team's best players are the reason the team is bad is the "Tambellini re-signing Lennart Petrell" of sports opinions." @Woodguy55
#FireBobbyNicks

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 Re: April 15 [message #782938 is a reply to message #782897 ]
Fri, 16 April 2021 08:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Leia is currently offline Leia
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benv wrote on Thu, 15 April 2021 10:11

Jason Bonsignore
Born: April 15, 1976 (turns 45 today) in Rochester, New York.
Position: Centre (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 4th overall, June 28, 1994.
Oilers Career: 1994-95 to 1995-96: 21 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Tampa Bay (with Steve Kelly and Bryan Marchment) for Paul Comrie and Roman Hamrlik, December 30, 1997.

Bonsignore was a big right shot centre, and in 1994 the highest ever draft pick by the Oilers at 4th overall. He was called up from junior to play one game for the Oilers in 94-95 and he scored a goal--things were looking good. During the 95-96 season his star quickly fell as he played 20 games with the Oilers and got only two assists. He would spend the rest of his time in the organization in the AHL and the Oilers were able to unload him to Tampa Bay. He never could fulfill his potential as he spent the next eleven years (minus two years he sat out) playing a bit in the NHL but mostly in the minors and Europe. He retired in 2008. Can't find much since then--he did a bit of minor league coaching and even played a bit at the age of 40 with the Hamilton Steelhawks. I heard an interview with him on Edmonton sports radio about ten years ago and he seemed a bit bitter about how he was treated during his time in Edmonton--claiming his lack of success was due, at least in part, to how the Oilers handled him. Don't remember specifics so I'll just wish him a happy 45th.



Apart from his hockey career, Bosignore turned his hands at speedway, I recall at the some point he was over in the UK, not sure who he was riding for or was supporting a friend, but I know that some friends kept asking me did I know him as he was an Oilers draft pick..

https://www.speedwaybikes.com/re/ujason_b.htm

Take me home, country road
to the place where I belong
to Alberta, to see the Oilers
take me home, country road

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 April 16 [message #782939 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Fri, 16 April 2021 09:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
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Today we have three centres representing three different Oiler eras (none of them from the 80s heydays):



Mike Zuke
Born: April 16, 1954 (turns 67 today) in Sault Ste. Marie, ON.
Position: Centre (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by New England (with Dave Inkpen and Blair MacDonald) for Kevin Devine, Rusty Patenaude, Claude St. Saveur, and Barry Wilkins, September 9, 1977.
Oilers Career: 1977-78: 71 games (5 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed by St. Louis (NHL), September 29, 1978.

Zuke was a high scoring college forward (Michigan Tech) who chose the WHA route to begin his pro career in 1976 with Indianapolis. After one year that saw him mostly in the minors, the Oilers acquired him in a huge multi-player trade in 1977. He played the full season in Edmonton as their number 2 centre, getting 57 points (good for fourth in team scoring). After this moderate success he decided jump to the NHL, signing with St. Louis (who had drafted him in 1974) in 1978. He played five seasons with the Blues, followed by another three with the Whalers before retiring in 1986. Since then he's kept busy, operating "Mike Zuke Enterprises", a St. Louis based apparel, screen printing and embroidery business. Happy 67th Mike.


Boyd Devereaux
Born: April 16, 1978 (turns 43 today) in Seaforth, ON.
Position: Centre (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 6th overall, June 22, 1996.
Oilers Career: 1997-98 to 1999-2000: 175 games (1 playoff game).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Detroit, August 23, 2000.

Devereaux was a centre drafted 6th overall by the Oilers in 1996. He would join the team in 1997 and spend three years in the organization playing mostly in Edmonton, but having a couple stints in Hamilton as well. He played mostly as a checking centre, but was a full time Oiler by the end of the 99-00 season. In the 2000 off season, Devereaux was suffering from head injuries that put his future in doubt, causing the Oilers not to qualify him. It was a bad gamble, as he was signed as a free agent by the Red Wings and his career took off. He continued it through the Red Wings, Coyotes, and Leafs over the next decade. After going to Switzerland to play the 09-10 season, he suffered a bad neck injury 16 games into the season which forced his retirement. Since then he has settled in Waterloo, ON with his family. He was in Battle of the Blades in 2011 (he finished third). Happy 43rd Boyd.


Markus Granlund
Born: April 16, 1993 (turns 28 today) in Oulu, Finland.
Position: Centre (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, July 1, 2019.
Oilers Career: 2019-20: 34 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Left to play in KHL in 2020.

Granlund has carved himself a decent career as a third/fourth line forward over the past eight years. He completed the western Canada trifecta, signing with the Oilers in 2019 after stints with Calgary and Vancouver. He spent just the one season here, playing 34 games with the Oilers and another 20 in Bakersfield and could never crack the lineup on a full time basis. The Oilers chose not to re-sign him following the season, and he is currently playing in the KHL. A happy 28th to Markus.

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 April 17 [message #782975 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Sat, 17 April 2021 11:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
Messages: 596
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton
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Five players on tap today:


Rudy Tajcnar
Born: April 17, 1948 in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, July 1978.
Oilers Career: 1978-79: 2 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Went to play in Switzerland.
Died: August 2, 2005 (Age 57) in Bratislava, Slovakia of a heart attack.

There is very little information on Tajcnar. He played in his native Czechoslovakia until coming over to North America in 1977. He played in the AHL and got in two games for the WHA Oilers in 78-79. He left after the season and played in Switzerland until retiring in 1986. Not much info after that--we know he passed away of a heart attack in 2005 at the age of 57. RIP Rudy.


Pierre Guite
Born: April 17, 1952 (turns 69 today) in Montreal, QU.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Quebec (with Don McLeod) for Ken Broderick, Dave Inkpen, Warren Miller, and Rick Morris, November 1977.
Oilers Career: 1977-78 to 1978-79: 72 games (5 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Retired in 1979.

There's very little info available on Guite. He never played in the NHL, but played all seven seasons of the WHA's existence (377 games total). He finished off with the Oilers, being acquired in November 1977 from Quebec in a multi-player deal. He played 60 games with the Oilers that year, plus five more in the playoffs. The following year he played only 12 games with the team, a few more in the minors and that's it--he retired in 1979. Almost no info on him after that--he did have a son named Ben Guite that played in the NHL with Boston, Colorado and Nashville from 2006 to 2010. Wherever you are Pierre, happy 69th.


David Oliver
Born: April 17, 1971 (turns 50 today) in Sechelt, BC.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 144th overall, June 22, 1991.
Oilers Career: 1994-95 to 1996-97: 141 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Claimed on waivers by NY Rangers, February 21, 1997.

Oliver was a late round pick by the Oilers in 1991 who joined the organization after four years at the University of Michigan. He was immediately able to find a scoring touch in the NHL, playing the entire lockout shortened 94-95 season with the Oilers (after spending the lockout half in the AHL). He led the Oilers in goals that year (with 16 in 44 games) and contributed another 19 the following year (in 80 games played). He lost favour during the 96-97 season and suddenly found himself scratched more than in the lineup. The Oilers tried to demote him in February 1997, but he was picked up on waivers by the Rangers. He was never able to duplicate his early success again; over the next decade he played another 92 NHL games, while spending most of his time in the AHL and IHL plus one-off years playing in Germany, Britain, and Sweden. He retired in 2007 and has since had success in coaching and managing. Most recently he was director of player development for the Avalanche (2014-2018) and is currently an assistant coach with the NY Rangers (since 2018). Happy 50th David.



Terran Sandwith
Born: April 17, 1972 (turns 49 today) in Edmonton, AB.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, April 10, 1997.
Oilers Career: 1997-98: 8 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Anaheim, July 14, 1998.

Sandwith was a career minor league defenseman who played almost his entire career in the AHL. During his one year with the Oilers, he managed to get into 8 games and these would be the entirety of his NHL experience. He played a couple of years in Europe before retiring in 2003. He is currently the president of GS Construction in Spruce Grove. Happy 49th Terran.


Eric Brewer
Born: April 17, 1979 (turns 42 today) in Vernon, BC.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by NY Islanders (with Josh Green and 2nd round pick) for Roman Hamrlik, June 24, 2000.
Oilers Career: 2000-01 to 2003-04: 315 games (12 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to St. Louis (with Doug Lynch and Jeff Woywitka) for Chris Pronger, August 2, 2005.

Brewer was a hulking blueliner, drafted 5th overall in 1997 with high expectations. He came to the Oilers at the 2000 draft as a part of the package for Roman Hamrlik and immediately made himself at home on their blueline. He played four full seasons with the Oilers, missing only a handful of games during that time and consistently being one of their most reliable rearguards, upping his game even more during the Oilers' two playoff appearances during this time (this would arguably be the best stretch of his career). After the 04-05 lockout, the Oilers were compelled to give him up in order to nab Chris Pronger from St. Louis. Brewer would go on to play another ten years in the NHL moving from the Blues to the Lightning and finally finishing his career off with shorts stops with the Ducks and Maple Leafs before retiring in 2015. He immediately bought the WHL Prince George Cougars and has been running the team as the owner since then. A very happy 42nd to Eric today.


Edit: My apologies to the late Rudy Tajcnar who I forgot to add this morning. I originally had his birthday as April 18, but doing some research today, most sources do give it as April 17, so I have added him to today's post

[Updated on: Sat, 17 April 2021 18:14]

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 April 18 [message #783033 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Sun, 18 April 2021 11:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
Messages: 596
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton
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Two more additions to the thread today:



Francois Leroux
Born: April 18, 1970 (turns 51 today) in Sainte-Adele, QU.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 19th overall, June 11, 1988.
Oilers Career: 1988-89 to 1992-93: 11 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Claimed on waiver by Ottawa, October 6, 1993.

Leroux was a giant d-man (6'6") taken in the first round by the Oilers in 1988. He was with the organization for five years, but only played 11 games (amazingly, at least one in each of the five season) with the Oilers, playing the rest in junior or in Cape Breton. The Oilers finally gave up on him and he was claimed by Ottawa on waivers in 1993. He had some success after leaving, playing 238 more NHL games, mostly with Pittsburgh. For the rest, he was mostly an AHL defenseman, playing one year in Germany. He retired in 2003, but made a brief comeback attempt in the NAHL that lasted two years from 2006-2008. He was briefly the commisioner of the short lived Mid-Atlantic Hockey league but otherwise not much info on his post hockey life. Happy 51st to Francois.


Dan Lacouture
Born: April 18, 1977 (turns 44 today) in Hyannis, Massachusetts.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by NY Islanders for Mariusz Czerkawski, August 25, 1997.
Oilers Career: 1998-99 to 2000-01: 45 games (1 playoff game).
Left Oilers: Traded to Pittsburgh for Sven Butenschon, March 13, 2001.

The Oilers acquired Lacouture as a prospect forward from the Islanders. He spent his first three years with the Oilers mostly in Hamilton, getting only spot duty in Edmonton, playing 45 games (and even 1 playoff game) with the big club. In 2000-01 he was finally a regular in Edmonton, but was dealt during the season to the Penguins. He continued his career, playing in Pittsburgh and the Rangers for the next three full seasons. Following the 04-05 lockout, he struggled to stay in the NHL, bouncing up and down from the NHL to AHL while with Boston, New Jersey, and Carolina. He played one year in Norway and then retired in 2011. Only info I can find since his retirement is that he was one of the nine players who filed a concussion law suit against the NHL in 2014. Happy 44th Dan.


And now this thread will start to resemble the Oilers' schedule: a flurry of activity followed by nothing. Since no Oilers were born on April 19, 20, or 21 I get a well earned three days off. Be back on Thursday.


Edit: Colton Sceviour added December 30, 2021.


Colton Sceviour
Born: April 20, 1989 (turned 32 this year) in Red Deer, AB.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, October 13, 2021.
Oilers Career: 2021-22 to present; 21 games and counting (0 playoff games).

Sceviour played his junior in Portland and was a fifth round pick by Dallas in 2007. He bided his time, putting up points in the AHL and would become an NHL regular with Dallas by 2015. He would not (so far) see the AHL again getting regular shifts with the Stars, Panthers, and Penguins while contributing in a depth role. Finding himself without a contract this past September he joined the Oilers on a PTO and would make the team. He's played in 21 out of 30 games so far this season. The points haven't really come (just 3) but he's contributed as a penalty killer and seems to have the trust of Tippet. Hope for more good things to come.

[Updated on: Thu, 30 December 2021 10:37]

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 April 22 [message #783454 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Thu, 22 April 2021 10:59 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
Messages: 596
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton
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After three days of no birthdays we return with... a bit of a whimper as we have just one player with a single game to his name today:



Bryan Rodney
Born: April 22, 1984 (turns 37 today) in London, ON.
Position: Defenseman (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Anaheim for Ryan O'Marra, February 16, 2012.
Oilers Career: 2011-12: 1 game (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Nashville, July 29, 2013.

Rodney was an undrafted career ECHL/AHL defenseman who managed a handful of NHL games through his career. When the Oilers acquired him in 2012 he had over six years of pro experience (including 33 NHL games, all with the Hurricanes) and got in just the single game with the Oilers. They didn't re-up him after the season and he spent two more years in the AHL, plus two more in Europe before retiring in 2016. No info on what he's been up to since--happy 37th Bryan.

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 Re: April 22 [message #783468 is a reply to message #783454 ]
Thu, 22 April 2021 14:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Dragon_Matt is currently offline Dragon_Matt
Messages: 759
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And Bryan Rodney beats out Ryan O'Marra in total NHL games played... at 34 to O'Marra's 33

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 April 23 [message #783476 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Fri, 23 April 2021 09:48 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
Messages: 596
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton
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Another day with just a single player, but he's got a bit more prominence than yesterday's entry:



Patrick Maroon
Born: April 23, 1988 (turns 33 today) in St. Louis, Missouri.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Anaheim for Martin Gernat and 4th round pick, February 29, 2016.
Oilers Career: 2015-16 to 2017-18: 154 games (13 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to New Jersey for JD Dudek and 3rd round pick, February 26, 2018.

Maroon was a winger who payed his dues, playing in the AHL for six years before working his way into a regular NHL role with the Ducks in 2013. He slowly established himself as a power forward getting 34 points in 14-15. The Oiler traded for him the next year (quite cheaply) and he had instant chemistry with McDavid. He spent two years with the Oilers mostly on McDavid's left side, having his best seasons getting 49 total goals. The Oilers dealt him to New Jersey before he became UFA in 2018. He never quite had the same goal scoring prowess after leaving, but he did pick his teams well, signing with the Blues in 2018 and then the Lightning the next year to win back to back cups. He's currently in his second year with the Lightning. Happy 33rd Patrick.


Just imagine if you could go back in time four years to April 2017 and tell your past self that in 2020, Patrick Maroon would be winning his second straight Stanley Cup; the second coming at Roger's Place in Edmonton. There's a cruel practical joke.

Anyway, back tomorrow with more.

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 April 24 [message #783538 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Sat, 24 April 2021 11:19 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
Messages: 596
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton
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Here are today's two alumni:



Dave Maley
Born: April 24, 1963 (turns 58 today) in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by New Jersey for Troy Mallette, January 12, 1992.
Oilers Career: 1991-92 to 1992-93: 36 games (10 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Claimed on waivers by San Jose, January 1, 1993.

Maley was a tough guy forward who carved himself a decent decade long career, playing mostly in the NHL. He had stints in Montreal and New Jersey when the Oilers swapped him for the underperforming Troy Malette in January 1992. He spent exactly a year (over two seasons) with the team, playing about half the games (although he did play 10 out of the 16 playoff games while here). After many healthy scratches during the 92-93 season the Oilers waived him and he was claimed by the the Sharks. His NHL career ended with the Islanders in 1994, but he did play in the minors as late as 2000 (after three years being inactive). Following his retirement, he got into broadcasting and has been steadily working as an intermission reporter for the San Jose Sharks radio broadcasts. Happy 58th Dave.


Anton Lander
Born: April 24, 1991 (turns 30 today) in Timra, Sweden.
Position: Centre (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 40th overall, June 27, 2009.
Oilers Career: 2011-12 to 2016-17: 215 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Left to play in KHL in 2017.

Lander was a Swedish centre who was highly anticipated after a good performance at the World Juniors in 2010. He would spend six years in the organization--never quite good enough to stick full time, but never bad enough to give up on him. All in all he played about equally in the AHL and NHL (just over 200 games in each) over his six years with the team. While he racked up the points in the AHL, he only got 35 with the Oilers. They finally decided to cut the cord in the summer of 2017, and Lander opted to go to the KHL. He's in his fourth year in that league, playing for Yarolsvi Lokomotiv. Happy 30th Anton.

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 April 25 [message #783563 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Sun, 25 April 2021 12:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
Messages: 596
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton
No Cups
Just the single player today:



Marko Tuomainen
Born: April 25, 1972 (turns 49 today) in Kuopio, Finland.
Position: Left Wing (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 205th overall, June 25, 1992.
Oilers Career: 1994-95: 4 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Left to play in Finland in 1997.

Tuomainen was a forward who decided to go the US college route--a bit unusual for a Finnish player. The Oilers drafted him with a late pick after his first season in Clarkson University, and it seemed astute as he spent the next three years racking up points there. When the 94-95 University season ended (and he had 60 points in 37 games) he joined the Oilers for a 4 game look. He spent the next two years with the organization, but didn't get another big league sniff playing the entire 95-96 and 96-97 seasons in the AHL. He bolted for Finland after that. He would return to the NHL playing a full season with the Kings in 99-00, but he soon found himself back in the AHL and eventually back in Europe (for another decade), playing in Finland, Switzerland and Italy before wrapping up his career in 2012. Since then he has been coaching in Finland; he is currently an assistant at KalPa. A happy 49th to Marko today.

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 April 26 [message #783578 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Mon, 26 April 2021 09:36 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
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Location: Edmonton
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Today's three alumni includes our first octogenarian of the thread (at least our first living one):



Bruce MacGregor
Born: April 26, 1941 (turns 80 today) in Edmonton, AB.
Position: Centre (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Selected in WHA professional draft, June 1973.
Oilers Career: 1974-75 to 1975-76: 135 games (4 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Retired in 1976.

MacGregor was an Edmonton native who played his junior career with the Oil Kings from 1958 to 1960. He started his NHL career in 1961 and was a regular centre with the Red Wings for a decade. He went to the Rangers in 1971, and then switched to the WHA to start the 74-75 for an opportunity to play with his hometown team. He spent two years with the Oil as a regular before deciding retire in 1976. You may better know him from his second stint with the Oilers; he was hired by Glen Sather as the Oilers' assistant GM which he worked throughout the 80s, being part of all 5 Oiler cups. Can't find any info on him recently, but a very happy 80th to him today.


Glenn Patrick
Born: April 26 1950 (turns 71 today) in New York City, New York.
Position: Defensemen (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, February 10, 1977.
Oilers Career: 1976-77: 23 games (2 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Not re-signed following 76-77 season.

Patrick was an American d-man (a member of the famous Patrick hockey family--his father was Lynn, and his brother is Craig) who went undrafted but was able to fight his way into a handful of NHL games with Cleveland during the 76-77 season. The Barons cut him halfway into the season allowing the Oilers to give him a look for the remainder of the season. He got in 23 games plus two more in the playoffs with the Oilers, but they decided not to re-up him following the season. He spent a couple more years in the minors before retiring in 1979. He had a long post career as a scout and coach in the Penguins organization (while brother Craig was GM--nepotism alert) and later was a head coach in the ECHL. A happy 71st to Glenn today.


Steve Pinizzotto
Born: April 26, 1984 (turns 37 today) in Mississauga, ON.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Florida (with Jack Combs) for Ryan Martindale and Derek Nesbitt, January 17, 2014.
Oilers Career: 2013-14 to 2014-15: 24 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Left to play in Germany in 2015.

Pinnizzotto had been a career minor league forward (just 12 total NHL games) when the Oilers acquired him as a near 30 years old in a deal midway through the 13-14 season, hoping his hard nosed style would be an asset to Oklahoma City or possibly even Edmonton. He spent a year and half with the team, playing 24 games in Edmonton and another 55 in OKC. They decided to go another way after the 14-15 season, and Pinnizzotto headed for Germany and spent four years in the DEL before retiring in 2019. Happy 37th Steve.

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 Re: The 2021 Edmonton Oilers' Birthday thread [message #783598 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Mon, 26 April 2021 14:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Skookum Jim is currently offline Skookum Jim
Messages: 4392
Registered: March 2006
Location: Burnaby, BC
4 Cups
Not a player.. but instrumental in saving the Oiler franchise.. Cal Nichols birthday today..79!

Cal Nichols
Born: April 25, 1942 (age 79 today) in Paradise Hill, SK
Position: Chairman of the EIG board (shoots straight)
Acquired the Oilers in March, 2000
Oiler career: March 2000 to December 2007

Nichols had played hockey and was a season-ticket holder of the Oilers hockey team in Edmonton. The Oilers were owned by Peter Pocklington, whose decisions regarding the team had disillusioned fans including a threat to move the team to the United States.

In 1994 in return for taxpayer funds being used to refurbish the home ground Pocklington had agreed that local buyers would be given the right to purchase the team for cnd$100 before he could sell it to an American buyer.

The Oilers were in financial difficulties but could receive league assistance if they could sell 13,000 seasons tickets and 90 percent of corporate boxes.
In 1996, Nichols co-chaired the Friends of the Oilers (FOTO) ticket drive campaign and mainly through his efforts the 13,000 season tickets deadline was reached.

In 1997, when the franchise was put up for sale, he spearheaded the bid from a local ownership group EIG made up of 37/38 investors by co-ordinating raising the $60 million in equity required to purchase the team. His motivation for this was to see the team remain Edmonton remain as a "Major League City." He started his tenure as chairman of the EIG board in March 2000.

In May 2002, he was inducted into the Alberta Business Hall of Fame.
He was awarded the Queens Golden Julbilee Medal created in 2002 to commemorate the 50th anniversary to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to the throne and awarded to persons who had made outstanding contributions to both their own community and to Canada.

In 2014, he was named to the Order of Canada which was established in 1967 to acknowledge citizens who have "... outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation."

Nicols summed up his own life view as reciprocity;

"I believe in being rewarded for superior effort, harder work, ... you should benefit from that, but in the process of benefiting, you should never forget where you came from, and how can I use my good fortune to help those who are less fortunate. I think it’s about living life in balance."

[Updated on: Mon, 26 April 2021 14:20]

McDAVID! Oh YEAH Baby!!
Tic-Tac-Tao!
Keep on Rockin' in the Free World
P. Chiarelli math.. T. Hall = A. Larsson, Yak= bag o'pucks (OK he got one right...) K. Russell = $4.1 M+NMC, G. Reinhart= M. Barzal + A. Beauvillier, J. Eberle = R. Spooner,

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 Re: The 2021 Edmonton Oilers' Birthday thread [message #783682 is a reply to message #783598 ]
Mon, 26 April 2021 22:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
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Skookum Jim wrote on Mon, 26 April 2021 14:18

Not a player.. but instrumental in saving the Oiler franchise.. Cal Nichols birthday today..79!

Cal Nichols
Born: April 25, 1942 (age 79 today) in Paradise Hill, SK
Position: Chairman of the EIG board (shoots straight)
Acquired the Oilers in March, 2000
Oiler career: March 2000 to December 2007

Nichols had played hockey and was a season-ticket holder of the Oilers hockey team in Edmonton. The Oilers were owned by Peter Pocklington, whose decisions regarding the team had disillusioned fans including a threat to move the team to the United States.

In 1994 in return for taxpayer funds being used to refurbish the home ground Pocklington had agreed that local buyers would be given the right to purchase the team for cnd$100 before he could sell it to an American buyer.

The Oilers were in financial difficulties but could receive league assistance if they could sell 13,000 seasons tickets and 90 percent of corporate boxes.
In 1996, Nichols co-chaired the Friends of the Oilers (FOTO) ticket drive campaign and mainly through his efforts the 13,000 season tickets deadline was reached.

In 1997, when the franchise was put up for sale, he spearheaded the bid from a local ownership group EIG made up of 37/38 investors by co-ordinating raising the $60 million in equity required to purchase the team. His motivation for this was to see the team remain Edmonton remain as a "Major League City." He started his tenure as chairman of the EIG board in March 2000.

In May 2002, he was inducted into the Alberta Business Hall of Fame.
He was awarded the Queens Golden Julbilee Medal created in 2002 to commemorate the 50th anniversary to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to the throne and awarded to persons who had made outstanding contributions to both their own community and to Canada.

In 2014, he was named to the Order of Canada which was established in 1967 to acknowledge citizens who have "... outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation."

Nicols summed up his own life view as reciprocity;

"I believe in being rewarded for superior effort, harder work, ... you should benefit from that, but in the process of benefiting, you should never forget where you came from, and how can I use my good fortune to help those who are less fortunate. I think it’s about living life in balance."


Thanks for this. I probably should have included Nichols.

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 Re: The 2021 Edmonton Oilers' Birthday thread [message #783686 is a reply to message #783682 ]
Mon, 26 April 2021 23:20 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Skookum Jim is currently offline Skookum Jim
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benv wrote on Mon, 26 April 2021 21:22



Thanks for this. I probably should have included Nichols.




Didn't mean to over step the thread protocol, but I remember when Bettman and NHL Inc. were looking real hard to find a way to get the Oilers out of Edmonton, Nichols, J. Hole, and the rest of EIG saved the franchise.. Edmonton still gets no respect from NHL Inc., but at least the franchise is still here! 👍🏻

McDAVID! Oh YEAH Baby!!
Tic-Tac-Tao!
Keep on Rockin' in the Free World
P. Chiarelli math.. T. Hall = A. Larsson, Yak= bag o'pucks (OK he got one right...) K. Russell = $4.1 M+NMC, G. Reinhart= M. Barzal + A. Beauvillier, J. Eberle = R. Spooner,

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 Re: The 2021 Edmonton Oilers' Birthday thread [message #783687 is a reply to message #783686 ]
Mon, 26 April 2021 23:37 Go to previous messageGo to next message
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Skookum Jim wrote on Mon, 26 April 2021 23:20

benv wrote on Mon, 26 April 2021 21:22



Thanks for this. I probably should have included Nichols.




Didn't mean to over step the thread protocol, but I remember when Bettman and NHL Inc. were looking real hard to find a way to get the Oilers out of Edmonton, Nichols, J. Hole, and the rest of EIG saved the franchise.. Edmonton still gets no respect from NHL Inc., but at least the franchise is still here! 👍🏻


The EIG bought so much good will from Edmonton fans. I enjoyed the 06 run and some of the players on that team, but Cal and the EIG getting rings would have been nice. Unfortunately that good will and inexperience owning a hockey team created some of problems that are still lingering. Still, I’m thankful the Oilers still exist.

Please do not feed the bears. Feeding the bears creates a dependent population unable to survive on their own. Bears.

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 April 27 [message #783695 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Tue, 27 April 2021 09:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
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Here are two players you probably remember but haven't thought about recently:




Mike Krushelnyski
Born: April 27, 1960 (turns 61 today) in Montreal, QU.
Position: Centre/Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Boston for Ken Linseman, June 21, 1984.
Oilers Career: 1985-85 to 1987-88: 290 games (68 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Traded to Los Angeles (with Wayne Gretzky and Marty McSorley) for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, three 1st round picks and cash, August 9, 1988.

It's hard to know what Glen Sather was thinking in the summer of 1984 when he traded the useful Ken Linseman (who had scored the Stanley Cup Winning goal a few months earlier) for Mike Krushelnyski--a big center who had less experience. The move worked--as Krushelnyski was converted to a left wing to play with Gretzky and Kurri and had success, getting 43 goals (by far his personal best) in 84-85. He was moved off of Gretzky's wing the next year (replaced by Esa Tikkanen), but he would remain an important part of the team, acting as a third line center for the next three years. He was famously part of the Gretzky trade in 1988 and moved on to the Kings where he took over a similar role. After two years and change in LA, he played four years in Toronto, and one more in Detroit before he was relegated to playing in the AHL and Italy before retiring in 1997. He's done some coaching since retiring in the NHL, CHL, as well as German and Russian leagues. A happy 61st to Mike.


Tayor Chorney
Born: April 27, 1987 (turns 34 today) in Thunder Bay, ON.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 36th overall, July 30, 2005.
Oilers Career: 2008-09 to 2010-11; 2011-12: 59 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Claimed on waivers by St. Louis, October 11, 2011.
Reacquired by Oilers: Claimed on waivers from St. Louis, November 10, 2011.
Left Oilers for good: Signed as free agent by St. Louis, July 1, 2012.

Chorney was a scoring d-man and an Oiler 2nd rounder who went the US college route (North Dakota) before joining the organization for the 08-09 season. In three years he managed to play 56 games in Edmonton, but spent some or most of each season in the AHL. When the Oilers tried to demote him again in October 2011, he was claimed by the Blues on waivers. The Oilers weren't quite done with him reclaiming him back a month later, but they probably needn't have bothered--he would play only more three games in Edmonton and the rest in OKC. The Blues obviously still had interest as they signed him as a free agent the following year. He would continue in the AHL for two more years, before finally emerging as a full time NHLer in 2015 ,playing with the Capitals for three years. In 2018 he left to play in Switzerland. He his currently playing for Salzburg in the top league in Austria. Happy 34th Taylor.



Edit: added Brendan Pelini, December 30, 2021.

Brendan Perlini
Born: April 27, 1996 (turned 25 this year) in Guildford, England.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, August 7, 2021.
Oilers Career: 2021-22 to present; 16 games and counting (0 playoff games).

Perlini was born and raised in England to a hockey playing father before moving to Canada in 2007. He was a top prospect winger out of Niagra and was drafted 12th overall by the Coyotes in 2014. He looked pretty good in his first couple of seasons in Arizona, topping out at 30 points in 17-18. Things would go downhill from there. He was traded to Chicago (in the Dylan Strome deal) and after a poor season with the Hawks, spent 19-20 with Detroit (with an even poorer season of 4 points in 39 games). He would spend the 20-21 season playing in Switzerland and the Oilers signed him to a deal to start the 21-22 season. Perlini was a demon in the pre-season leading the league with 8 goals, but then went completely cold once the real games started. So far this year he's been healthy scratched as much as played, but there has been some recent spark that will give us some hope we may see pre-season Perlini again. Time will tell.

[Updated on: Thu, 30 December 2021 10:39]

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 April 28 [message #783731 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Wed, 28 April 2021 09:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
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Here are today's forgotten Oilers:



Frank Beaton
Born: April 28, 1953 (turns 68 today) in Antigonish, NS.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Cincinnati for cash, October 1976.
Oilers Career: 1976-77: 68 games (5 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Birmingham, November 1977.

Beaton was an undrafted scrappy smallish forward who had to prove his way to get every pro game he could. He played a total of 153 WHA and 25 NHL games over his decade long career. Sixty-eight of those were with the Oilers whom he spent the 76-77 season with after they bought his contract from the Stingers. He got 13 points and 274 penalty minutes, but he did get in all their playoff games that year. He signed with Birmingham the next year, went to the NHL and the Rangers the following year and then wrapped up his career in the minors before retiring in 1983. I can find almost nothing else online about him except for a blurb on "Slapshot memories" where he reminisces about the WHA. Wherever you are now Frank, happy 68th.



Peter Ing
Born: April 28, 1969 (turns 52 today) in Toronto, ON.
Position: Goalie (catches left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Toronto (with Vincent Damphousse, Luke Richardson, Scott Thronton, future considerations, and cash) for Glenn Anderson, Craig Berube, and Grant Fuhr, September 19, 1991.
Oilers Career: 1991-92: 12 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Detroit for 7th round pick and futures, August 30, 1993.

Ing was a 3rd round pick of the Leafs who had slowly worked his way up to be Toronto's starting goalie in the 90-91 season. He was part of the massive trade between Edmonton and Toronto that saw Fuhr go the other way. The Oilers planned on using Ing as Ranford's backup. He started 91-92 in this capacity but subpar play after only twelve appearances caused the Oilers to look elsewhere, and Ing was demoted to Cape Breton. The Oilers released him after the season and (minus 3 games with Detroit) spent the rest of his career in the minors before retiring in 1996. He interestingly went into the Casino business after retiring, first in Vegas and then as a director at Casino Niagra. He is currently CEO of FanTastic Sports. Happy 52nd Peter.

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 April 29 [message #783821 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Thu, 29 April 2021 09:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
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Today's two alumni are well known to Oiler fans for completely different reasons:



Curtis Joseph
Born: April 29, 1967 (turns 54 today) in Keswick, ON.
Position: Goalie (catches left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by St. Louis (with Mike Grier) for two 1st round picks, August 4, 1995.
Oilers Career: 1995-96 to 1997-98: 177 games (24 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Toronto, July 15, 1998.

"Cujo" was an undrafted goalie who slowly worked his way up to become the Blues number one netminder in 1991. After five seasons in St.Louis, he was acquired by the Oilers after the Blues signed Shayne Corson as an RFA. With Bill Ranford still in the fold, Joseph wasn't willing to share the net so rather than sign with the Oilers he went to the IHL. Halfway through the 95-96 season the Oilers committed to Joseph, shipping Ranford to Boston and signing Joseph to a three year deal. He was phenomenal those two and a half years with the team, playing over 70 games in each of the last two and leading the Oilers to improbable playoff upsets in the first round. His save against Nieuwendyk in game 7 is still stuff of legend. He was also great in the community, paying for a skybox that he filled with kids from the Stollery for every game. The Oilers wanted him to stay in the 1998 offseason, but couldn't afford his asking price and he left for his hometown Leafs. He bounced around the rest of his career playing with Detroit, Phoenix, Calgary, and back to Toronto before retiring in 2009. Since retiring he's worked as a goaltending coach and consultant and even published his autobiography. Happy 54th Curtis.



Jean-Francois Jacques
Born: April 29, 1985 (turns 36 today) in Terrebonne, QU.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 68th overall, June 21, 2003.
Oilers Career: 2005-06 to 2010-11: 160 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Anaheim, July 6, 2011.

Most Oiler fans (of a certain age anyway) remember Jacques for two things: one of the two players selected by the Oilers with the picks they got for passing on Zack Parise, and for going his first 57 or so games(I can't find the exact number--it was between 54 and 59) without getting a single point (at least Patrick Russel gets the occasional apple). He was actually a reasonable junior scorer getting over a point a game in his last year of junior, and he got plenty of points during his AHL time. Despite his lack of NHL production, three different Oiler coaches gave him opportunities (Pat Quinn even put him on the first line for a while). All in all he played 160 games with the Oilers over 6 seasons (only 72 in the AHL) before the Oilers dropped him for good. He signed with the Ducks in 2011, but would spend the next three years in the AHL (just 6 more NHL games), before going to Europe in 2014. He bounced around a few leagues there (Austria and Germany). It looks like he hasn't officially retired but he also hasn't played since 2018. Happy 36th Jean-Francois.


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 April 30 [message #783882 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Fri, 30 April 2021 09:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
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We close out the month of April with a trio of alumni defensemen--one a little more notorious than the other two:




Owen Lloyd
Born: April 30, 1957 (turns 64 today) in North Vancouver, BC.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acuqired by Oilers: Drafted 84th overall, June 1977.
Oilers Career: 1977-78: 3 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Not re-signed in 1978.

Can't find much info on Lloyd. He was a defenseman the Oilers drafted and he managed 3 games with them in 1977-78. That would be the extent of his major pro-career as he played in the minors until retiring in 1983. Other than a comeback attempt with San Diego in the PSHL in 1992, I can find no other info on him. Wherever you are Owen, happy 64th.


Steve Smith
Born: April 30, 1963 (turns 58 today) in Glasgow, Scotland.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 111th overall, June 10, 1981.
Oilers Career: 1984-85 to 1990-91: 385 games (87 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Chicago for Dave Manson and 3rd round pick, October 2, 1991.

Let's deal with the elephant: every year on his birthday, Steve Smith has to recall the night he accidently scored on his own team in what is considered one of the top gaffs in sports history (yep, it was on April 30, 1986--Smith's 23rd birthday). It happened, we will all remember it forever--let's move on. Smith was born in Scotland, but raised in Ontario--drafted in the late rounds of 1981 by the Oilers. He slowly worked his way up through the OHL and AHL to become an Oiler regular in 1985. He became a steady presence on the blue line in the latter part of the cup of years and beyond, also chipping in offense (55 points in 87-88; another 54 in 90-91). In the 1991 offseason he became a victim a of contract dispute as well as the Oilers' dismantling of the cup teams, being dealt to the Hawks for Dave Manson. He spent six years in Chicago and announced his retirement due to injury in 1997. This only lasted a year as he made a comeback in 1998 (ironically enough with Calgary), but he was a shell of his former self and he retired for good in 2001. After two years as a scout with Chicago, the Oilers hired him to be an assistant coach in 2010, a role he had for four years. He moved on to Carolina in 2014, and is currently an assistant coach with Buffalo. Happy 58th Steve (you'll probably think about that goal again today, but after 35 years, I can forgive you).


Aaron Johnson
Born: April 30, 1983 (turns 38 today) in Port Hawkesbury, NS.
Position: Defensman (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Calgary (with 3rd round pick) for Steve Staios, March 3, 2010.
Oilers Career: 2009-10: 19 games.
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Nashville, August 31, 2010.

Johnson was a journeyman d-man who managed 291 NHL games over his long two decade career. His stint with the Oilers was brief. He bounced from Columbus to Long Island to Chicago to Calgary before being acquired by the Oilers in a very rare Edmonton-Calgary swap. The Oilers acquired him just as a warm body to fill out the stretch of their miserable 09-10 season, but as I recall he was pretty decent and never looked out of place while he was here. Nonetheless he was gone after the season continuing to be passed around the league, playing mostly in the minors. In 2016 he took his services to Europe playing in Germany and England before calling it a career last year in 2020. Happy 38th Aaron.

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 May 1 [message #783931 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Sat, 01 May 2021 11:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
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Two players to kick off the month of May:


Pat Conacher
Born: May 1 1959 (turns 62 today) in Edmonton, AB.
Position: Centre (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, October 4, 1983.
Oilers Career: 1983-84: 45 games (3 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by New Jersey, April 14, 1985.

Conacher was an Edmonton born centre, a scorer in junior, but converted to a checker when he went pro. He signed with the Oilers early in his career in 1983 after toiling in the Rangers for a few years. He split 83-84 between Edmonton and Moncton--he even got in three games in the playoffs and earned a Stanley Cup ring. He spent the entire 84-85 season in the AHL and opted to sign with the Devils in 1985. After a few more years as a minor leaguer, he eventually earned himself more time in the NHL in the later 80s; the last six years of his career (starting in 90-91) saw him play only in the NHL with the Devils, Kings, Flames, and Islanders before he retired in 1996 having played 521 NHL games. He's done a lot since retiring: assistant coach with the Coyotes, scout with the Leafs, and many jobs (coach, assisant coach, head coach, GM, and Director of HO) in the WHL and AHL mostly with Utica. He's currently working as a scout for the Canucks. Happy 62nd Pat.


Bryan Marchment
Born: May 1, 1969 (turns 52 today) in Scarborough, ON.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Acquired from Hartford as compensation for the signing of RFA Steven Rice, August 30, 1994.
Oilers Career: 1994-95 to 1997-98: 216 games (3 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Traded to Tampa Bay (with Jason Bonsignore and Steve Kelly) for Paul Comrie and Roman Hamrlik, December 30, 1997.

Marchment was the prototypical bruising d-man, not a lot of raw skill, but toughness (and many would argue dirty play) cranked up to 11. He was suspended 13 times over his 16 year career (of 926 games). Marchment played the first six years of his NHL career with the Jets, the Hawks and the Whalers. He was assigned to the Oilers by the NHL in 1994 as compensation when Hartford signed Oiler RFA Steven Rice. Over his three and a half years in Edmonton he definitely added a toughness factor to their blueline, and was a part of converting the team from missing to making the playoffs during his tenure (he unfortunately was injured for most of the 1997 playoffs). The Oilers dealt him in a package for Roman Hamrlik halfway through 97-98 and he finished the year with the Lightning before going to San Jose for six years. In one memorable incident in 2000 Doug Weight attacked his former Oiler teammate when Marchment took out Weight in a dirty knee on knee hit. After short stints in Colorado, Toronto, and Calgary, Marchment retired in 2006. Since then, he's been a fixture in the Sharks' organization working as a scout and in player development. Happy 52nd Bryan.

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 Re: May 1 [message #783952 is a reply to message #783931 ]
Sat, 01 May 2021 20:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Adam is currently offline Adam
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benv wrote on Sat, 01 May 2021 11:57

Two players to kick off the month of May:


Pat Conacher
Born: May 1 1959 (turns 62 today) in Edmonton, AB.
Position: Centre (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, October 4, 1983.
Oilers Career: 1983-84: 45 games (3 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by New Jersey, April 14, 1985.

Conacher was an Edmonton born centre, a scorer in junior, but converted to a checker when he went pro. He signed with the Oilers early in his career in 1983 after toiling in the Rangers for a few years. He split 83-84 between Edmonton and Moncton--he even got in three games in the playoffs and earned a Stanley Cup ring. He spent the entire 84-85 season in the AHL and opted to sign with the Devils in 1985. After a few more years as a minor leaguer, he eventually earned himself more time in the NHL in the later 80s; the last six years of his career (starting in 90-91) saw him play only in the NHL with the Devils, Kings, Flames, and Islanders before he retired in 1996 having played 521 NHL games. He's done a lot since retiring: assistant coach with the Coyotes, scout with the Leafs, and many jobs (coach, assisant coach, head coach, GM, and Director of HO) in the WHL and AHL mostly with Utica. He's currently working as a scout for the Canucks. Happy 62nd Pat.


Bryan Marchment
Born: May 1, 1969 (turns 52 today) in Scarborough, ON.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Acquired from Hartford as compensation for the signing of RFA Steven Rice, August 30, 1994.
Oilers Career: 1994-95 to 1997-98: 216 games (3 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Traded to Tampa Bay (with Jason Bonsignore and Steve Kelly) for Paul Comrie and Roman Hamrlik, December 30, 1997.

Marchment was the prototypical bruising d-man, not a lot of raw skill, but toughness (and many would argue dirty play) cranked up to 11. He was suspended 13 times over his 16 year career (of 926 games). Marchment played the first six years of his NHL career with the Jets, the Hawks and the Whalers. He was assigned to the Oilers by the NHL in 1994 as compensation when Hartford signed Oiler RFA Steven Rice. Over his three and a half years in Edmonton he definitely added a toughness factor to their blueline, and was a part of converting the team from missing to making the playoffs during his tenure (he unfortunately was injured for most of the 1997 playoffs). The Oilers dealt him in a package for Roman Hamrlik halfway through 97-98 and he finished the year with the Lightning before going to San Jose for six years. In one memorable incident in 2000 Doug Weight attacked his former Oiler teammate when Marchment took out Weight in a dirty knee on knee hit. After short stints in Colorado, Toronto, and Calgary, Marchment retired in 2006. Since then, he's been a fixture in the Sharks' organization working as a scout and in player development. Happy 52nd Bryan.



Here's what happened the next game after Marchment kneed Weight:


To his credit, he stepped up when Laraque told him it was time to pay the piper. I didn't really like Marchment as an Oiler. The big hits (often dirty) would bring you out of your seats, but so often he'd jump up to make them irresponsibly. I had season tickets in 1996-97 (even though I was still in university - thanks to relatively cheap tix back then and a payment plan that let you pay in installments all season long) and I just remember so many times jumping up for the hit and then sitting down when the other team scored on the resulting breakaway or 2-on-1.

And in today's NHL he would be suspended every other week.

The trade for Hamrlik was absolute larceny by Sather.

"Thinking that a bad team's best players are the reason the team is bad is the "Tambellini re-signing Lennart Petrell" of sports opinions." @Woodguy55
#FireBobbyNicks

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 May 2 [message #784036 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Sun, 02 May 2021 11:52 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
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Two good ole Alberta boys celebrating another year older today, including everybody's favourite flopping d-man:


Jason Chimera
Born: May 2, 1979 (turns 42 today) in Edmonton, AB.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 121st overall, June 21 1997.
Oilers Career: 2000-01 to 2003-04: 130 games (2 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Phoenix (with 3rd round pick) for 2nd and 4th round picks.

Chimera was a local prospect forward drafted in the 5th round in 1997. He would spend five years with the Oilers from 99-00 to 03-04, spending almost the entire first three years in the minors (just 4 NHL games) and the last two full time with the Oilers. He never showed enough to thrill the team, and they unloaded him at the 2004 draft for picks. His career really took off when he left--he would play the next thirteen years in the NHL (mostly with the Blue Jackets and Capitals); he was never a star, but he was a solid contributor throughout his career which ended when he retired in 2018 (at age 39). A happy 42nd to Jason today.


Kris Russell
Born: May 2, 1987 (turns (34 today) in Red Deer, AB.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, October 7, 2016.
Oilers Career: 2016-17 to present: 308 games and counting (17 playoff games).

Russell has carved himself a long career as a shut down d-man. After breaking in with the Blue Jackets in 2007, he's stayed in the NHL, going to St. Louis, Calgary, and Dallas before being signed by the Oilers in 2016. It seems hard to believe Russell is in his fifth season with team; he's never been a fan favourite and it seems every year we are wondering if he will be back the next year. So far he always has, and as I write this he just suffered an injury so we'll have to see where the future lies for him--probably at least another year in Edmonton. Happy 34th Kris.

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 Re: May 2 [message #784044 is a reply to message #784036 ]
Sun, 02 May 2021 13:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Adam is currently offline Adam
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benv wrote on Sun, 02 May 2021 11:52

Two good ole Alberta boys celebrating another year older today, including everybody's favourite flopping d-man:


Jason Chimera
Born: May 2, 1979 (turns 42 today) in Edmonton, AB.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 121st overall, June 21 1997.
Oilers Career: 2000-01 to 2003-04: 130 games (2 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Phoenix (with 3rd round pick) for 2nd and 4th round picks.

Chimera was a local prospect forward drafted in the 5th round in 1997. He would spend five years with the Oilers from 99-00 to 03-04, spending almost the entire first three years in the minors (just 4 NHL games) and the last two full time with the Oilers. He never showed enough to thrill the team, and they unloaded him at the 2004 draft for picks. His career really took off when he left--he would play the next thirteen years in the NHL (mostly with the Blue Jackets and Capitals); he was never a star, but he was a solid contributor throughout his career which ended when he retired in 2018 (at age 39). A happy 42nd to Jason today.


Kris Russell
Born: May 2, 1987 (turns (34 today) in Red Deer, AB.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, October 7, 2016.
Oilers Career: 2016-17 to present: 308 games and counting (17 playoff games).

Russell has carved himself a long career as a shut down d-man. After breaking in with the Blue Jackets in 2007, he's stayed in the NHL, going to St. Louis, Calgary, and Dallas before being signed by the Oilers in 2016. It seems hard to believe Russell is in his fifth season with team; he's never been a fan favourite and it seems every year we are wondering if he will be back the next year. So far he always has, and as I write this he just suffered an injury so we'll have to see where the future lies for him--probably at least another year in Edmonton. Happy 34th Kris.



Hey - I think after July 1 we can sign him to an extension, can't we?


"Thinking that a bad team's best players are the reason the team is bad is the "Tambellini re-signing Lennart Petrell" of sports opinions." @Woodguy55
#FireBobbyNicks

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 May 3 [message #784072 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Mon, 03 May 2021 09:39 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
Messages: 596
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton
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Three alumni celebrating a birthday on this fine Monday:


Jeff Chychrun
Born: May 3, 1966 (turns 55 today) in LaSalle QU.
Position: Defenseman (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Los Angeles for futures, November 2, 1993.
Oilers Career: 1993-94: 2 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Hartford, May 27, 1994.

Chychrun was a low scoring tough as nails defenseman from 1987 to 1994. He played with the Flyers, Kings, and Penguins before coming to the Oilers in the 93-94 season. He played 2 games with Edmonton, but spent the rest of the season in Cape Breton. That would basically be it for his career; he signed with Hartford, but retired before every playing again in 1994. Since retiring he sired Jakob Chychrun, the current d-man goal scoring leader (as I write this, Nurse is only a goal behind) with the Coyotes. He works as an adviser with the USHL Des Moines Buccaneers. Happy 55th Jeff.


Scott Fraser
Born: May 3, 1972 (turns 49 today) in Moncton, NB.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, July 28, 1997.
Oilers Career: 1997-98: 29 games (11 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by NY Rangers, July 2, 1998.

Fraser was a 9th round pick by the Canadiens in 1991. After going to US college he toiled in the Habs (and later the Flames) organization and was unable to get any traction, playing just 14 games over three season. He signed with the Oilers to start the 97-98 season and after getting 61 points in 50 games in Hamilton, he came up to the Oilers and got 23 points in 29 games earning him a spot with the team in the playoffs where he played 11 more games. This moderate success caught some eyes in Manhattan, as he was given a lucrative 4-million dollar contract by the Rangers (a ridiculously large amount at the time for such an unproven player). He was unable to live up to this as his point totals dried up and he played only a season with the Rangers, spending half of it in the AHL. He retired after that season in 1999. Can't find any info on him since then, but I'll wish him a happy 49th today.


Teemu Hartikainen
Born: May 3, 1990 (turns 31 today) in Kuopio, Finland
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 163rd overall, June 21, 2008.
Oilers Career: 2010-11 to 2012-13: 52 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Toronto (with Cameron Abney) for Mark Fraser, January 31, 2014.

Hartikainen was an Oiler 6th round pick in 2008. After coming over from the Finnish league in 2010, he had some good results with Oklahoma City (AHL player of the month) and spent the next three years playing in both the Oilers and the Barons. While he showed some promise as a potential NHL depth forward, he never managed to stick in the NHL, playing 52 NHL games over the three seasons (only 7 points). In 2013 he left for the KHL. The Oilers traded his rights to the Leafs in 2014 but he has never returned to the NHL and his currently in his eighth season with Salavat Yulaev Ufa in the KHL. Happy 31st Teemu.

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 May 4 [message #784197 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Tue, 04 May 2021 09:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
Messages: 596
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton
No Cups
On the agenda today: four Canadian players born in four different provinces:



Kevin Todd
Born: May 4, 1968 (turns 53 today) in Winnipeg, MB.
Position: Centre (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by New Jersey (with Zdeno Ciger) for Bernie Nicholls, January 13, 1993.
Oilers Career: 1992-93: 25 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Chicago for Adam Bennett, October 7, 1993.

Todd was a late round pick who slowly ripened with the Devils before he broke out in 91-92 with New Jersey, breaking their team record for rookie points with 63. He regressed with the Devils the next season and he came to the Oilers in the Bernie Nicholls trade and played 25 games over the rest of the year (13 points). That would be it for his Oiler career, as they dealt him just prior to the 93-94 season to Chicago. He would soon be in Los Angeles and have a bit of a bounce back with the Kings and later the Ducks, but he never again matched his rookie totals. He retired in 1999 after a suffering a neck injury while playing in Austria. Hope he's well, wherever he is and happy 53rd today.


Micah Aivazoff
Born: May 4, 1969 (turns 52 today) in Powell River, BC.
Position: Centre (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Claimed on waivers from Pittsburgh, January 18, 1995.
Oilers Career: 1994-95: 21 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by NY Islanders, August 23, 1995.

Aivazoff patiently waited his turn to get in the NHL, playing four years in the WHL followed by four full years in the AHL. The Red Wings gave him his first shot in 93-94 (59 games) and this was enough for the Oilers to give him a look (picking him up on waivers) at the start of the short 94-95 season. He stayed with the team for the entire year, playing 21 out of the 48 games and getting just one assist. The Oilers let him walk after the season and he signed with the Islanders; he would play 12 games with New York that year, but that would be it for his NHL career. He spent the rest of his career in the IHL and the German league before retiring in 2002. After retirement he spent some time as a scout with Tampa Bay, and an assistant coach in the BCHL. Happy 52nd Micah.


Derek Roy
Born: May 4, 1983 (turns 38 today) in Ottawa, ON.
Position: Centre (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Nashville for Mark Arcobello, December 29, 2014.
Oilers Career: 2014-15: 46 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Left to play in Switzerland in 2015.

Roy had a decent junior career in Kitchener when he was a second round pick of the Sabres in 2001. He spent nearly a decade in Buffalo as a reliable scoring centre, even leading the team in points (81) in 07-08. When he was traded in 2012, Roy seemed to take a quick tour of the league hopping from Dallas to Vancouver to St. Louis to Nashville and finally to Edmonton halfway through 14-15. He was quite good in his half season here, finding some chemistry with Nail Yakupov (some even dubbed him "the Yak whisperer" for his seeming ability to get the best out of Nail). The Oilers chose not to bring him back after the season, and he eventually found himself in Europe. He's done a tour there, playing in Switzerland, Russia, Sweden, and Germany (where his career continues to this day with Munich). Happy 38th Derek.



Devan Dubnyk
Born: May 4, 1986 (turns 35 today) in Regina, SK.
Position: Goalie (catches left).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 14th overall, June 26, 2004.
Oilers Career: 2009-10 to 2013-14: 171 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Nashville for Matt Hendricks, January 15, 2014.

After being a rare first round pick goaltender for the Oilers, Dubnyk was groomed slowly by the team. Playing three and a half seasons in the ECHL and AHL before getting his first taste of the bigs during 09-10 (when Khabibulin missed the end of the season due to injury). He soon supplanted Desluariers as the no. 2 and soon after that became the Oilers main guy, putting up good starter numbers in the 11-12 and 12-13 seasons. When his play regressed in 13-14, the Oilers panicked and dealt him to Nashville. Dubnyk rebounded with a vengeance in 14-15, starting with the Coyotes and eventually ending up in Minnesota where he would have the best years of his career. He spent six years with the Wild, putting up great numbers, getting both Vezina and Hart consideration and proving the Oilers gave up on him too early. He left Minnesota after last year and went to the Sharks and then the Avalanche where he is providing them some goaltending depth. Happy 35th Devan.

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 May 5 [message #784360 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Wed, 05 May 2021 10:15 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
Messages: 596
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton
No Cups
Cinco de Mayo gives us two players and the Oiler founder:



Bill Hunter
Born: May 5, 1920 in Saskatoon, SK.
Oilers owner: 1972-73 to 1976-77
Oilers GM Career: 1972-73 to 1975-76: 315 games (10 playoff games)
Oilers Coaching Career: 1972-73; 1974-75; 1975-76: 85 games (5 playoff games)
Died: December 16, 2002 (age 82) in Edmonton, AB of cancer.

"Wild" Bill Hunter can be considered the godfather of the Oilers. He had a fascinating life; he founded his first sports team when he was eighteen in 1938 (The Saskatoon Dukes which still exist as the Hilltops in the CJFL). He then served as a pilot in WWII. He helped found the WHL when he was the owner/GM/coach of the Edmonton Oil Kings to help compete with the leagues in the east. We finally get to the Oilers when Hunter was a key figure in founding the WHA in 1971 when he became the co-owner/GM of the new Alberta Oilers. From 1972 to 1976 Hunter acted as the GM of the team and on three different occasions stepped behind the bench to finish off a season after firing his coach. In 1976, Hunter took on Peter Pocklington as a partner, and sold him the team in 1977, essentially ending his official stint with the Oilers. He kept busy afterwards, most famously during an almost successful attempt to have the St. Louis Blues move to Saskatoon in 1983. He died in 2002 of cancer in Edmonton at age of 82. The current Oiler mascot (Hunter) is named after Bill (a fact I didn't know until doing this research--but of course it makes sense). RIP Bill.


Willy Lindstrom
Born: May 5, 1951 (turns 70 today) in Grums Sweden.
Position: Right Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Winnipeg for Laurie Boschman, March 7, 1983.
Oilers Career: 1982-83 to 1984-85: 163 games (53 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Claimed on waivers by Pittsburgh, October 7, 1985.

Lindstrom was one of the first Swedish players to come over to North America and make a splash. After five years of playing pro in Sweden he came over and played with the Jets in the WHA in 1975. He had an immediate impact as a scoring winger with the Jets during four years in the WHA followed by another four in the NHL. The Oilers acquired him at the 1983 trade deadline and he was an instant fit. He had a reduced role on the forward rich Oilers, playing on a third line with Ken Linseman (and driving PbP announcers crazy with the name similarities). Over the remainder of that season as well as the next two he would be a solid contributor as a third line winger contributing to three deep playoff runs including two cups. He was waived by the team to start the 85-86 season and he played two years in Pittsburgh before going back to Sweden and finishing his career before retiring in 1990. For the next seventeen years he worked as an NHL European scout with Hartford, Carolina, and Phoenix. I thought it was really cool at the Winnipeg Heritage Classic when he played for the Oilers for the first half of the alumni game and then switched to the Jets for the second half. A happy 70th to Willy today.


Mike Stapleton
Born: May 5, 1966 (turns 55 today) in Sarnia, ON.
Position: Centre (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Claimed on waivers from Pittsburgh, February 19, 1994.
Oilers Career: 1993-94 to 1994-95: 69 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Winnipeg, August 18, 1995.

Stapleton (the son of former NHLer Pat) spent the first several years of his career in the Hawks system, regularly bouncing up and down from IHL to the NHL before finally solidifying his place in the NHL with the Penguins in 1992, after which he would play ten solid years in the NHL. The Oilers picked him up on waivers during the 93-94 season and he would play that and the next season with the team as a defensive/penalty killing centre (this would be his lot for the rest of his career). He left the Oilers in 1995, signing with the Jets, transferring with the team to Phoenix where he had his best years. After brief stops in Atlanta, Vancouver, and New York he went to Europe in 2001 and eventually retired in 2004. He went into coaching after that which he did in the OHL and AHL until 2013. In 2014 he was hired by the Anaheim Ducks to be a pro scout, a job he retains to this day. Happy 55th Mike.


No May 6 birthdays, so no post tomorrow. Be back on Thursday.

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 May 7 [message #784553 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Fri, 07 May 2021 09:59 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
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An eclectic group of alumni today including two WHA one-gamers who happen to be born on the exact same day, one early 2000s power forward, and of course a current Oiler (and the youngest to appear on this list so far); the Swedish born Finn who is everyone's favourite tongue acrobat:



Derek Harker
Born: May 7, 1949 (turns 72 today) in Edmonton, AB.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, September 1972
Oilers Career: 1972-73: 1 game (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded Philadelphia for cash, November 1, 1972.

Harker was prospect d-man the Oilers signed in their inaugural year in the WHA in 72-73. He played only a single game with the team before he was dealt to Philadelphia. He would play 27 games for the Blazers and that would be it for his major pro career. He would play three more seasons in the minors and then retire in 1976. Not a trace of him since then--have a happy 72nd Derek, wherever you are (if it is indeed your birthday today: most sources list it as May 7, but Wikipdeia has it as January 7--I went with the majority).


Del Hall
Born: May 7, 1949 (turns 72 today) in Peterborough, ON.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Cincinnati for Butch Deadmarsh, December 17, 1977.
Oilers Career: 1977-78: 1 game (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Retired in 1977.

Hall was a forward struggling to make an NHL roster in the early 70s. After only 9 NHL games in 4 seasons with California, he switched to the WHA where he found instant success. In back to back seasons with Phoenix (75-76 and 76-77) he played all games and averaged over a point per game (170 pts in 160 games). The wheels seemed to fall off in 1977; he went to the Stingers and got only 7 points in 25 games. They traded him to the Oilers and he played just a single game with the team before retiring--injury was a factor in both his reduced totals and retirement. He settled in Salt Lake City, and that's the last I can find. Happy 72nd Del.


Brad Isbister
Born: May 7, 1977 (turns 44 today) in Edmonton, AB.
Position: Left Wing (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by NY Islanders (with Raffi Torres) for Janne Niinimaa and 2nd round pick, March 11, 2003.
Oilers Career: 2002-03 to 2003-04: 64 games (6 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Boston for 4th round pick, August 1, 2005.

Isbister was big-bodied right shot forward who came up through Phoenix, but had had his best years with the Islanders from 1999 to 2003. He came to the Oilers at the 2003 deadline and would play the remainder of the season and playoffs with them. The following season saw his play dip a bit and he would frequently find himself a healthy scratch--though he would play the whole season in Edmonton. Following the lockout, the Oilers dealt him to Boston for a draft pick. He struggled to find a home going from Boston to the Rangers to the Canucks, being demoted to the minors for some of that. He played one year in Switzerland (08-09) before retiring in 2009. He subsequently spent a couple of seasons coaching at the University of Calgary. Hope you're well Brad; happy 44th today.


Jesse Puljujarvi
Born: May 7, 1998 (turns 23) today in Alvkarleby, Sweden.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 4th overall, June 24, 2016.
Oilers Career: 2016-17 to present: 190 games and counting (0 playoff games).

Puljujarvi was one of the consensus top three 2016 prospects after dominating the 2016 world junior tournament. As is well known , he slipped to the Oilers at 4th, but struggled to make an NHL impact in his first three seasons with the team. After a trade request was denied, he spent the entire 19-20 season in Finland, but returned for the current season, where he has been a revelation. Playing most of this season with McDavid Puljujarvi seems happy, a better English speaker and we can hope for many more years of production from him. A very happy 23rd today Jesse.

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 Re: May 7 [message #784554 is a reply to message #784553 ]
Fri, 07 May 2021 10:48 Go to previous messageGo to next message
CrudeRemarks is currently offline CrudeRemarks
Messages: 1703
Registered: November 2010
Location: Edmonton
1 Cup
Del is one of the top two players named Hall to ever suit up for the Oil.

You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you can get a lottery pick.


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 Re: May 7 [message #784566 is a reply to message #784553 ]
Fri, 07 May 2021 12:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
oilfan94 is currently offline oilfan94
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benv wrote on Fri, 07 May 2021 11:59


Brad Isbister
Born: May 7, 1977 (turns 44 today) in Edmonton, AB.
Position: Left Wing (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by NY Islanders (with Raffi Torres) for Janne Niinimaa and 2nd round pick, March 11, 2003.
Oilers Career: 2002-03 to 2003-04: 64 games (6 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Boston for 4th round pick, August 1, 2005.

Isbister was big-bodied right shot forward who came up through Phoenix, but had had his best years with the Islanders from 1999 to 2003. He came to the Oilers at the 2003 deadline and would play the remainder of the season and playoffs with them. The following season saw his play dip a bit and he would frequently find himself a healthy scratch--though he would play the whole season in Edmonton. Following the lockout, the Oilers dealt him to Boston for a draft pick. He struggled to find a home going from Boston to the Rangers to the Canucks, being demoted to the minors for some of that. He played one year in Switzerland (08-09) before retiring in 2009. He subsequently spent a couple of seasons coaching at the University of Calgary. Hope you're well Brad; happy 44th today.




I feel like it is worth noting that the 4th round pick that the Oilers got from Boston was traded back to Boston the same month for Yan Stastny, who was also traded back to Boston a few months later in the Sergei Samsonov trade (along with Reasoner and a 2nd round pick that would become Milan Lucic). But basically Isbister was traded for Stastny.

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 Re: May 7 [message #784574 is a reply to message #784566 ]
Fri, 07 May 2021 15:48 Go to previous messageGo to next message
OilPeg is currently offline OilPeg
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oilfan94 wrote on Fri, 07 May 2021 13:45

benv wrote on Fri, 07 May 2021 11:59


Brad Isbister
Born: May 7, 1977 (turns 44 today) in Edmonton, AB.
Position: Left Wing (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by NY Islanders (with Raffi Torres) for Janne Niinimaa and 2nd round pick, March 11, 2003.
Oilers Career: 2002-03 to 2003-04: 64 games (6 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Boston for 4th round pick, August 1, 2005.

Isbister was big-bodied right shot forward who came up through Phoenix, but had had his best years with the Islanders from 1999 to 2003. He came to the Oilers at the 2003 deadline and would play the remainder of the season and playoffs with them. The following season saw his play dip a bit and he would frequently find himself a healthy scratch--though he would play the whole season in Edmonton. Following the lockout, the Oilers dealt him to Boston for a draft pick. He struggled to find a home going from Boston to the Rangers to the Canucks, being demoted to the minors for some of that. He played one year in Switzerland (08-09) before retiring in 2009. He subsequently spent a couple of seasons coaching at the University of Calgary. Hope you're well Brad; happy 44th today.




I feel like it is worth noting that the 4th round pick that the Oilers got from Boston was traded back to Boston the same month for Yan Stastny, who was also traded back to Boston a few months later in the Sergei Samsonov trade (along with Reasoner and a 2nd round pick that would become Milan Lucic). But basically Isbister was traded for Stastny.


That's funny...and then both Reasoner and Lucic signed with the Oilers as free agents eventually. That whole thing is funny.

Skookum Jim wrote on Sat, 02 June 2012 00:29

But he (Belanger)'s as soft as room temp. margarine.

Skookum Jim wrote on Tue, 16 March 2021 18:49

Turris in the BOA will be like an ice cube in the Sahara.

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 May 8 [message #784595 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Sat, 08 May 2021 13:20 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
Messages: 596
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton
No Cups
Two local forwards and a Finnish goalie today:


Eddie Joyal
Born: May 8, 1940 (turns 81 today) in St. Albert, AB.
Position: Centre (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Selected in general WHA player draft, February 12, 1972.
Oilers Career: 1972-73 to 1975-76: 239 games (6 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Retired in 1976.

Hey our second octogenarian! Joyal was an Edmonton boy who fought from 1963 to 1967 to stay in the NHL while with the Red Wings and the Leafs. Once expansion hit in 1967 he was a no doubt NHLer playing six full seasons with the Kings and the Flyers as a scoring centre (he lead the Kings in scoring for their first two years of existence). When the WHA formed in 1972 Joyal jumped at the chance to play with his hometown Oilers. He spent four years on the team from 1972 to 1976; he was past his prime by this point, but was a serviceable depth centre for them. He retired in 1976. Not too much info after retirement--he's been living in San Diego for the past 30+ years; he returned to Edmonton in 2016 during the Oilers' honouring of their alumni (during the closing of Rexall) and had a street named after him in St. Albert. A very happy 81st Eddie.


Ray Whitney
Born: May 8, 1972 (turns 49 today) in Fort Saskatchewan, AB.
Position: Left Wing (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, October 1, 1997.
Oilers Career: 1997-98: 9 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Claimed on waivers by Florida, November 6, 1997.

For the only time on this thread I can give a bit of personal history. I actually grew up in Fort Saskatchewan and went to school with Whitney until grade 8 (when I left). We were never friends--he was the jock hockey player and I... wasn't, but he always seemed like an ok guy (judging from my twelve year old self). Whitney's history with the Oilers of course goes all the way back to when he was a stick boy with the team in the 80s and his dad was the practice goalie. He had a sensational junior career racking up over two points a game in his final year in the WHL. He broke in the NHL with the Sharks in 1992 and after four decent seasons he stumbled a bit in 96-97 being demoted to the minors, allowing the Oilers to scoop him up as a free agent in 1997. He would play only nine games with the team, as he clashed with coach Ron Low, and the Oilers would waive him and he would be picked up by the Panthers. His career skyrocketed after he left Edmonton. He would play in the league until 2014 playing with many different teams (Panthers, Blue Jackets, Red Wings, Hurricanes, Coyotes, and Stars) having scoring success everywhere he went and of course making me want to punch him when he won the cup with Carolina in 2006. He racked up over 1000 points in the NHL--a rare feat. Since retiring he's worked as a scout with Carolina and is currently the head coach with Phoenix Jr Coyotes. Happy 49th Ray (I'm guessing you don't even remember me).

Off topic: I was thumbing through some of my old yearbooks while doing this and realized that Whitney was far from the most famous person to come out of Fort Elementary. In one of my books I found, many grades behind Whitney and myself, an adorable kindergartener named Evageline Lilly later to be of Lost/The Hobbit/Antman fame. I had no idea until now that she was from my hometown.


Jussi Markkannen
Born: May 8, 1975 (turns 46 today) in Imatra, Finland.
Position: Goalie (catches left).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 133rd overall, June 24, 2001.
Oilers Career: 2001-02 to 2002-03; 2003-04 to 2006-07: 102 games (7 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to NY Rangers (with 4th round pick) for Brian Leetch, June 30, 2003.
Reacquired by Oilers: Traded by NY Rangers (with Petr Nedved) for Dwight Helminen, Stephen Valiquette, and 2nd round pick, March 3, 2004.
Left Oilers for good: Left to play in Finland following 06-07 season.

Markkanen had been playing pro hockey in Finland for almost a decade when the Oilers drafted him as a 26 year old in 2001. After a short stint in the AHL he joined the Oilers as Tommy Salo's backup for the 01-02 and 02-03 seasons. The Oilers dealt him to the Rangers prior to the 03-04 season when they opted to replace him with Ty Conklin. They reacquired him later that season when they decided to abandon Salo and go with a Conklin/Markkanen combo. This lasted the rest of 03-04 and continued after the lockout into 05-06. Markkanen took over the starting job that year, but lost it when the Oilers acquired Dwayne Roloson, relegating him to backup again. Marakkanen famously played the last six games of the 2006 Stanley Cup final, but wasn't able to lift the Oilers to victory. He spent the 06-07 season backing up Roloson and then decided to head back to Europe when the Oilers went a different direction in 2007. He played ten more years in Switzerland and Finland retiring at the age of 43 in 2018. Markkanen suffered a horrible tragedy in 2008 when his youngest son died (at the age of four) after falling out of a fifth story window. His older son Julo is also a goalie and was drafted last year by the Kings. A happy 46th to Jussi.

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 May 9 [message #784714 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Sun, 09 May 2021 11:15 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
Messages: 596
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton
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Here are today's alumni:



Brent Grieve
Born: May 9, 1969 (turns 52 today) in Oshawa, ON.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by NY Islanders for Marc Laforge, December 15, 1993.
Oilers Career: 1993-94: 24 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Chicago, July 7, 1994.

Grieve was a scoring forward with some good AHL numbers when the Oilers acquired him in 93-94. He put up points in his brief time with Edmonton getting 18 points in 24 games (on a not too great Oiler team). He parlayed that success into a free agent deal with Chicago the following year, but he could never quite manage those kinds of numbers again at the NHL level. Over the next three years he played 70 more NHL games with Chicago and Los Angeles, but played as much in the minors and was out of hockey by 1997. He coached a bit in the OHL, but not much other info on him. Happy 52nd Brent.


Alex Plante
Born: May 9, 1989 (turns 32 today) in Brandon, MB.
Position: Defenseman (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 15th overall, June 22, 2007.
Oilers Career: 2009-10 to 2011-12: 10 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Left to play in Austria in 2013.

Plante was a 1st round pick by the Oilers, a big right handed stay at home d-man out of the WHL. He spent four years with the organization, almost all in the AHL. He never managed to translate his size and skill into an NHL career, playing just 10 games with the Oilers over four years. They decided to let him walk in 2013 and he took his skills first to Austria, then Norway and most recently Japan where he continues his career. He became a South Korean citizen in 2017 and has represented them at international events. Happy 32nd Alex.


No May 10 birthdays, so I'll be back on Tuesday with more.

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 Re: May 9 [message #784720 is a reply to message #784714 ]
Sun, 09 May 2021 16:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Adam is currently offline Adam
Messages: 7156
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Location: Edmonton, AB
6 Cups
benv wrote on Sun, 09 May 2021 11:15

Here are today's alumni:

Brent Grieve
Born: May 9, 1969 (turns 52 today) in Oshawa, ON.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by NY Islanders for Marc Laforge, December 15, 1993.
Oilers Career: 1993-94: 24 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Chicago, July 7, 1994.

Grieve was a scoring forward with some good AHL numbers when the Oilers acquired him in 93-94. He put up points in his brief time with Edmonton getting 18 points in 24 games (on a not too great Oiler team). He parlayed that success into a free agent deal with Chicago the following year, but he could never quite manage those kinds of numbers again at the NHL level. Over the next three years he played 70 more NHL games with Chicago and Los Angeles, but played as much in the minors and was out of hockey by 1997. He coached a bit in the OHL, but not much other info on him. Happy 52nd Brent.




I think the mid-to-late 90s were an interesting time period for GMs. No one in hockey management seemed to understand small sample sizes at all. Scott Fraser was covered earlier - he got 23 points in 29 games in 1998-99, with the Oilers and a big contract from the Rangers.

Grieve got his 18 points in 24 games and got snapped up by the Blackhawks.

And in 1995-96, we got Dave Roberts from the Blues in exchange for putting Glenn Anderson on waivers so he could get there - Roberts scored 6 points in 6 games, and the Canucks snapped him up as a free agent immediately.

All these paces were of course completely unsustainable and would have been considered mistakes, except that everyone had more money to spend than the Oilers at that time.

"Thinking that a bad team's best players are the reason the team is bad is the "Tambellini re-signing Lennart Petrell" of sports opinions." @Woodguy55
#FireBobbyNicks

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 May 11 [message #784844 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Tue, 11 May 2021 09:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
Messages: 596
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton
No Cups
I suspect that today's single alumnus, despite two tours with the Oilers, is mostly forgotten. Let's see who remembers him:



Kevin Brown
Born: May 11, 1974 (turns 47 today) in Birmingham, England.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, August 14, 1998.
Oilers Career: 1998-99; 1999-2000: 19 games (1 playoff game).
Left Oilers: Traded to NY Rangers for Vladimir Vorobiev, March 23, 1999.
Reacquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, March 7, 2000.
Left Oilers for good: Not re-signed following 99-00 season.

Brown was a British born, but Ontario raised forward, who's story is oft seen--incredible junior numbers (almost 2.5 points per game his last couple of years in the OHL) but never able to translate it to the NHL. He languished in the Kings, Whalers, and Hurricanes organizations for five years, playing primarily in the minors. The Oilers signed him as a free agent prior to the 98-99 season. He was mostly with Hamilton, but did get 6 points in 12 games with the Oilers. At the 1999 deadline they dealt him to the Rangers, but they would give him another shot, signing him to a minor league deal the following year, and eventually calling him up at the end of the season (even giving him a playoff game). His NHL dreams would end there, however, as the Oilers cut him loose after that and he spent the next three years bouncing around several minor league teams (including a short stint in his birthplace of Britain) before retiring in 2003. No sign of him since, but wherever he is, I wish him a happy 47th today.


After nothing yesterday and the lone alumnus today we get another day with no birthdays tomorrow. Be back on Thursday with more.

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 May 13 [message #785050 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Thu, 13 May 2021 10:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
Messages: 596
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton
No Cups
Once upon a time, a Slovak, an American, a Canadian, and a Russian are all born on different May 13ths and would later play for the Oilers. This is their story:



Jozef Cierny
Born: May 13, 1974 (turns 47 today) in Zvolen, Czechoslovakia.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Buffalo (with 4th round pick) for Craig Simpson, September 1, 1993.
Oilers Career: 1993-94: 1 game (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Not re-signed following 94-95 season.

Cierny was a Slovakian scoring forward and 2nd round pick by Buffalo in 1992; he was the main prospect the Oilers got when they dealt Craig Simpson in 1993. In his two years with the Oilers, Cierny played 146 games with Cape Breton getting 109 point, but only played a single game with the Oilers (his only ever NHL game). After being cut loose in 1995, he played a couple of years in the IHL and then off to Europe (mostly Germany and Slovakia) where he would play another fourteen years before retiring in 2011. Wherever you are Jozef, happy 47th.


Matt Greene
Born: May 13, 1983 (turns 38 today) in Grand Ledge, Michigan.
Position: Defenseman (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 44th overall, June 22, 2002.
Oilers Career: 2005-06 to 2007-08: 151 games (18 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Los Angeles (with Jarret Stoll) for Lubomir Visnovsky, June 29, 2008.

Greene was a big right handed stay at home d-man out of the University of North Dakota. After only a few games in the AHL he quickly graduated up to the Oilers in 05-06 and soon found himself on the regular rotation, even playing most of the playoff games for the Oilers' drive. After a good full season with the team in 06-07, he ran into some injury problems in 07-08, playing only about half the games. He was traded to the Kings in a package for Vinsovsky in 2008 and would remain in Los Angeles for the remainder of his career (nine more season total). He was a good steady presence in LA, and a part of their two Stanley Cups. He had major injury problems in his last two seasons, playing only 29 games, and was forced to retire in 2017. He remained with the Kings as a pro-scout and continues in that capacity today. Happy 38th Matt.


Taylor Beck
Born: May 13, 1991 (turns 30 today) in St.Catharines, ON.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, July 3, 2016.
Oilers Career: 2016-17: 3 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to NY Rangers for Justin Fontaine, March 1, 2017.

Beck was a high scoring winger in the OHL and spent some years trying to crack NHL lineups in Nashville, Long Island, and Colorado. He managed a full season (of 62 games) with Nashville in 14-15, but only played 30 NHL games outside of that season. The Oilers signed him in the 2016 off season and he would play three games with them, while spending the remainder in Bakersfield (where he was over a point a game player). They traded him to the Rangers at the deadline (in a deal of minor leaguers) and he would leave North America for the KHL after the season. He's currently in his fourth season in that league playing with Metallurg. Happy 30th Taylor.


Anton Slepyshev
Born: May 13, 1994 (turns 27 today) in Penza, Russia.
Position: Left Wing (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 88th overall, June 30, 2013.
Oilers Career: 2015-16 to present: 102 games (12 playoff games).

Slepyshev was drafted by the Oilers out of the KHL, and debuted with them during the 15-16 season. In three seasons with the team he played both in Edmonton and in Bakersfield, but getting more games with the Oilers. He definitely showed some flash and the Oilers tried to get him to stay by qualifying him, but he opted to go back to Russia in 2018, where he has played in the KHL for the past three seasons. The Oilers have maintained his NHL rights to this day, so we may not have seen the last of Anton in Oiler colours. In the meantime, happy 27th.

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 Re: May 13 [message #785053 is a reply to message #785050 ]
Thu, 13 May 2021 10:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Skookum Jim is currently offline Skookum Jim
Messages: 4392
Registered: March 2006
Location: Burnaby, BC
4 Cups
Good work Benv!

McDAVID! Oh YEAH Baby!!
Tic-Tac-Tao!
Keep on Rockin' in the Free World
P. Chiarelli math.. T. Hall = A. Larsson, Yak= bag o'pucks (OK he got one right...) K. Russell = $4.1 M+NMC, G. Reinhart= M. Barzal + A. Beauvillier, J. Eberle = R. Spooner,

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 May 14 [message #785104 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Fri, 14 May 2021 09:54 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
Messages: 596
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton
No Cups
Two old school players and one unsuccessful modern day GM are celebrating a birthday today:




Tom Gilmore
Born: May 14, 1948 (turns 73 today) in Flin Flon, MB.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Los Angeles for Ron Walters, October 1973.
Oilers Career: 1973-74 to 1974-75: 131 games (5 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Retired in 1975.

Gilmore was a forward who played at the University of Denver in the late 60s. After a couple of years in the minors he signed with the Los Angeles Sharks in the new WHA in 1972. After a full season in LA, he was traded to the Oilers and played two full season with them (73 points in 131 games) and then suddenly retired in 1975 (can't find info on why--he was only 27). Not much info on him afterwards either--he is the father of Edmonton born and raised actor Patrick Gilmore (I've seen him in Battlestar Galactica). Happy 73rd Tom.


Danny Gare
Born: May 14, 1954 (turns 67 today) in Nelson, BC.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, September 1, 1986.
Oilers Career: 1986-87: 18 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Retired in 1987.

Gare was a smallish scrappy forward known for his shot and fearlessness. He broke in the NHL with Buffalo in 1974 and played over seven seasons with the Sabres, scoring 50 goals on two occasions (even tying for the league lead in goals in 79-80). He was traded to Detroit in 1981 and played four and a half seasons with the Wings. He was in his twilight coming into the 86-87 season and signed with the powerhouse Oilers in hopes of getting that elusive cup ring. After only 18 games with Edmonton he decided he just didn't have it anymore and decided to retire early in the season. In a classy move, the Oilers invited him back to celebrate in the dressing room with them after they won the cup in 1987. Since retiring, Gare has worked as an NHL TV colour analyst with Tampa Bay, Buffalo, and Columbus. Happy 67th Danny.


Steve Tambellini
Born: May 14, 1958 (turns 63 today) in Trail, BC
Oilers GM Career: 2008-09 to 2012-13: 369 games (0 playoff games).

Tambelini was a first round pick by the Islanders, a high scoring forward out of Lethbridge. He played nine years in the NHL with the Islanders, Rockies, Devils, Flames, and Canucks before retiring in 1990 (after a stint in Europe). Prior to coming to Edmonton, Tambellini spent eighteen years with the Canucks in several positions, including Director or Media Relations and VP of Hockey Operations. In 2008 he was hired by the Oilers as their new GM when Kevin Lowe chose to relinquish the position. There's no doubt that Tambellini's five year stint in this role was not successful. The Oilers never made the playoffs, and finished dead last twice (2nd last another time). His time as GM was noted for his lack of action--he never seemed to want to make too many moves despite the lack of success of the team. He was fired near the end of the 12-13 season (when again his lack of moves were partly to blame for the Oilers lethargic performance down the stretch). He was hired by Anaheim as a scout the next season and he continues in that role today. Happy 63rd Steve.

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 Re: May 14 [message #785105 is a reply to message #785104 ]
Fri, 14 May 2021 10:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
CrudeRemarks is currently offline CrudeRemarks
Messages: 1703
Registered: November 2010
Location: Edmonton
1 Cup
I’m not sure how you can overlook Tambo’s franchise altering acquisition of Jarred Smithson

You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you can get a lottery pick.


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 Re: May 14 [message #785106 is a reply to message #785105 ]
Fri, 14 May 2021 10:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Dragon_Matt is currently offline Dragon_Matt
Messages: 759
Registered: January 2009
Location: edmonton
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Don't forget, "Belanger wants more years!"

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 Re: May 14 [message #785130 is a reply to message #785106 ]
Fri, 14 May 2021 13:24 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
Skookum Jim is currently offline Skookum Jim
Messages: 4392
Registered: March 2006
Location: Burnaby, BC
4 Cups
Dragon_Matt wrote on Fri, 14 May 2021 09:17

Don't forget, "Belanger wants more years!"


Belanger.. rofl

McDAVID! Oh YEAH Baby!!
Tic-Tac-Tao!
Keep on Rockin' in the Free World
P. Chiarelli math.. T. Hall = A. Larsson, Yak= bag o'pucks (OK he got one right...) K. Russell = $4.1 M+NMC, G. Reinhart= M. Barzal + A. Beauvillier, J. Eberle = R. Spooner,

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 Re: May 14 [message #785131 is a reply to message #785130 ]
Fri, 14 May 2021 13:48 Go to previous messageGo to next message
CrusaderPi is currently offline CrusaderPi
Messages: 7785
Registered: December 2003
Location: AB Highway 100
6 Cups
Skookum Jim wrote on Fri, 14 May 2021 13:24

Dragon_Matt wrote on Fri, 14 May 2021 09:17

Don't forget, "Belanger wants more years!"


Belanger.. rofl

He really liked what the Oilers were doing and wanted to be part of it.

Please do not feed the bears. Feeding the bears creates a dependent population unable to survive on their own. Bears.

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