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 Re: February 25 [message #777517 is a reply to message #777514 ]
Thu, 25 February 2021 10:43 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Adam is currently offline Adam
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benv wrote on Thu, 25 February 2021 09:53

Another day another Oiler alumnus birthday to celebrate:


Troy Mallette
Born: February 25, 1970 (turns 51 today) in Sudbury, ON.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Received from NY Rangers as compensation for signing of RFA Adam Graves, September 3, 1991.
Oilers Career: 1991-92: 15 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Traded to New Jersey for Dave Maley, January 12, 1992.

Mallette was a defensive forward who had the misfortune of being the compensation awarded to the Oilers when the Rangers signed Oiler RFA Adam Graves in 1991. While Graves would go on to play 10 seasons and score 50 goals in a season for the Rangers, Mallette played only 15 games for the Oilers and was never a favourite of coach Ted Green. They would deal him to the Devils half way through the season for tough guy Dave Maley. Mallette would continue his career through the Devils, Senators, Bruins, and finally the Lightning where he suffered a career ending back injury after only 3 games in October 1997. After retiring. Mallette returned to his hometown of Sudbury where he raised a family and became a firefighter. A happy 51st to him.



What a broken compensation model that was - I think the Oilers did as poorly as anyone in that model. The Blues lost Scott Stevens and got back Brendan Shanahan as compensation...meanwhile we lose Graves and just get back Mallette. Maley a further downgrade and I think he left ultimately for nothing, so a year later we had zilch from that, while the Rangers had a very effective player in Graves.

"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
#FireLowe #FireBobbyNicks #FireKenHolland #FireKeithGretzky

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 Re: February 25 [message #777545 is a reply to message #777517 ]
Thu, 25 February 2021 13:52 Go to previous messageGo to next message
welcometotheOC is currently offline welcometotheOC
Messages: 613
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Location: Also, sadly, Cowtown
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Adam wrote on Thu, 25 February 2021 10:43

benv wrote on Thu, 25 February 2021 09:53

Another day another Oiler alumnus birthday to celebrate:


Troy Mallette
Born: February 25, 1970 (turns 51 today) in Sudbury, ON.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Received from NY Rangers as compensation for signing of RFA Adam Graves, September 3, 1991.
Oilers Career: 1991-92: 15 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Traded to New Jersey for Dave Maley, January 12, 1992.

Mallette was a defensive forward who had the misfortune of being the compensation awarded to the Oilers when the Rangers signed Oiler RFA Adam Graves in 1991. While Graves would go on to play 10 seasons and score 50 goals in a season for the Rangers, Mallette played only 15 games for the Oilers and was never a favourite of coach Ted Green. They would deal him to the Devils half way through the season for tough guy Dave Maley. Mallette would continue his career through the Devils, Senators, Bruins, and finally the Lightning where he suffered a career ending back injury after only 3 games in October 1997. After retiring. Mallette returned to his hometown of Sudbury where he raised a family and became a firefighter. A happy 51st to him.



What a broken compensation model that was - I think the Oilers did as poorly as anyone in that model. The Blues lost Scott Stevens and got back Brendan Shanahan as compensation...meanwhile we lose Graves and just get back Mallette. Maley a further downgrade and I think he left ultimately for nothing, so a year later we had zilch from that, while the Rangers had a very effective player in Graves.


This one still pisses me off. Another case where the NHL intentionally screwed over the Oilers.

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 February 26 [message #777762 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Fri, 26 February 2021 10:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton
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Just the single player today:


Marty Reasoner
Born: February 26, 1977 (turns 44 today) in Honeoye Falls, New York.
Position: Center (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by St. Louis (with Jochen Hecht and Jan Horacek) for Michel Riesen and Doug Weight, July 1, 2001.
Oilers Career: 2001-02 to 2005-06; 2006-07 to 2007-08: 351 games (6 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Traded to Boston (with Yan Stastny and 2nd round pick) for Sergei Samsonov, March 9, 2006.
Reacquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, July 4, 2006.
Left Oilers for good: Signed as free agent by Atlanta, July 17, 2008.

After being a scoring forward in college, Reasoner managed to carve himself an NHL career mostly as a defensive forward, although there were always glimpses of the offense that made him a first round pick. The Oilers got him from St. Louis as part of the package for Doug Weight. While he could never replace Weight, Reasoner established himself as a reliable two way forward for four seasons with the team. Unfortunately for him he was deemed expendable when the Oilers were renting players for their playoff drive in 2006 and he was sent to Boston (missing that cup run). He returned to the Oilers as a free agent a few months later and played another two years with the team. The Oilers let him walk in 2008 and he would play five more seasons with the Thrashers, Panthers, and Islanders before retiring in 2013. Since retirement he's worked in the Islanders organization in a player development coaching role. A happy 44th to Marty.

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 Re: February 26 [message #777775 is a reply to message #777762 ]
Fri, 26 February 2021 14:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
OilPeg is currently offline OilPeg
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benv wrote on Fri, 26 February 2021 11:02

Just the single player today:


Marty Reasoner
Born: February 26, 1977 (turns 44 today) in Honeoye Falls, New York.
Position: Center (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by St. Louis (with Jochen Hecht and Jan Horacek) for Michel Riesen and Doug Weight, July 1, 2001.
Oilers Career: 2001-02 to 2005-06; 2006-07 to 2007-08: 351 games (6 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Traded to Boston (with Yan Stastny and 2nd round pick) for Sergei Samsonov, March 9, 2006.
Reacquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, July 4, 2006.
Left Oilers for good: Signed as free agent by Atlanta, July 17, 2008.

After being a scoring forward in college, Reasoner managed to carve himself an NHL career mostly as a defensive forward, although there were always glimpses of the offense that made him a first round pick. The Oilers got him from St. Louis as part of the package for Doug Weight. While he could never replace Weight, Reasoner established himself as a reliable two way forward for four seasons with the team. Unfortunately for him he was deemed expendable when the Oilers were renting players for their playoff drive in 2006 and he was sent to Boston (missing that cup run). He returned to the Oilers as a free agent a few months later and played another two years with the team. The Oilers let him walk in 2008 and he would play five more seasons with the Thrashers, Panthers, and Islanders before retiring in 2013. Since retirement he's worked in the Islanders organization in a player development coaching role. A happy 44th to Marty.


Reasoner was always one of my favorites. I actually was a big fan of him when he was trying to break in with the Blues, continually picking him in hockey pools thinking he'd finally break out. When he was dealt to the oilers, my friends found it hilarious that a guy who i was already a big fan of was getting sent to my favorite team. Not funny, however, is that Doug Weight is, by far, my favorite Oiler of all time. Although, thinking back, I guess Reasoner being part of the return for Weight softened the blow.

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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 Re: February 26 [message #777778 is a reply to message #777775 ]
Fri, 26 February 2021 14:38 Go to previous messageGo to next message
sinfulchimp306 is currently offline sinfulchimp306
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The return afterwards wasn't too shabby either, samsonov was pretty good for our run that year

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PLAY LABAMBA BABY

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 February 27 [message #777816 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Sat, 27 February 2021 11:39 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
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Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton
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Interestingly both of today's alumni were defenseman born in the USA, but raised in Ontario. Here are a forgotten WHA player and a "wish we could forget him" former coach:



Ab DeMarco (Jr)
Born: February 27, 1949 (turns 72 today) in Cleveland, Ohio.
Position: Defenseman (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Claimed from Chicago in WHA dispersal draft, June 19, 1975.
Oilers Career: 1977-78: 47 games (1 playoff game)
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Boston, October 23, 1978.

Ab Demarco Jr was the son of former NHLer of the 1940s Ab DeMarco Sr. DeMarco Jr was an offensive defenseman who broke into the league with the Rangers (his dad's team) in 1971. He bounced around a bit, to St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Vancouver, and Los Angeles before switching leagues and signing with the Oilers in 1977 (the Oilers had acquired his WHA rights a couple of years earlier). DeMarco would spend just one year with the Oilers. He would return to the NHL, but played only 3 games with the Bruins before retiring in 1979. No information on his life for the past 41 years--but I hope he's well, and I wish him a happy 72nd birthday.


Dallas Eakins
Born: February 27, 1967 (turns 54 today) in Dade City, Florida.
Oilers Coaching Career: 2013-14 to 2014-15: 113 games (0 playoff games)

Since it's so recent, most are familiar with Eakins' story. He had a long career as a defensemen, mostly in the AHL, but did get in 120 NHL games. He retired in 2004 and was soon hired by Toronto to be an assistant first with the Marlies, then the Leafs, and in 2009 was made the head coach of the Marlies. He was being hyped as the potential next head coach of the Leafs, when Craig MacTavish fell in love with him after an interview in 2013 and hired him on the spot to be the Oilers new head coach. Eakins time in Edmonton can only be described as a disaster. The team continued to lose, his strategies seemed unorthodox and ineffective, and he often feuded with his players and the media. He was fired in December 2014; less than one and a half seasons into his four year deal. He has since worked in the Ducks organization, first coaching their AHL team and is currently the head coach of the Ducks. I'm not a fan, but I'll be gracious and wish him a happy 54th.

[Updated on: Sun, 28 February 2021 13:05]

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 February 28 [message #777898 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Sun, 28 February 2021 11:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
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Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton
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We finish off the month with a trio of players:



Poul Popiel
Born: February 28, 1943 (turns 78 today) in Sollested, Denmark
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, November 2, 1979.
Oilers Career: 1979-80: 10 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Not re-signed following 79-80 season.

Popiel was the first ever Danish born player in the NHL (although he grew up in Canada). For ten years from 1963 to 1973 he bounced up and down between the NHL and the minors when the WHA gave him an opportunity. He played 6 years there with Houston and was a point producing all star defenseman. Following a year in Austria, the Oilers signed him for the 79-80 NHL season. He was 36 and well passed his prime--he would play 10 games with the team and spend the rest of his time in the minors. This would be his last taste of the majors as he would retire in 1981. He coached a bit in the IHL upon his retirement, but I've no record of what he's done since. A very happy 78th to Poul.


Barry Wilkins
Born: February 28, 1947 in Toronto, ON.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Houston for future considerations, June 1976.
Oilers Career: 1976-77: 51 games (4 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to New England (with Kevin Devine, Rusty Patenaude, and Claude St. Sauveur) for Dave Inkpen, Blair MacDonald, and Mike Zuke September 9, 1977.
Died: June 26, 2011 (age 64) in Chandler, Arizona of lung cancer.

Wilkins was mostly a minor league defenseman who's career took off when he joined the expansion Canucks in 1970 (scoring the first ever goal in Canucks' history). He played 5 years for Vancouver and one more with Pittsburgh before switching to the WHA in 1976 to join the Oilers. He played one full season with the team as one of their regular defenseman, but was traded in a multi-player deal the following season. After one more year in the WHA and another in the AHL he retired in 1979. Unknown what he did after his career except that he died of lung cancer in Arizona in 2011 at the age of 64. RIP Barry.


Ryan McGill
Born: February 28, 1969 (turns 52 today) in Sherwood Park, AB.
Position: Defenseman (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Philadelphia for Brad Zavisha and 6th round pick, March 13, 1995.
Oilers Career: 1994-95: 8 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Retired in 1995.

McGill was tough bruising defenseman the Oilers acquired during the strike shortened 1995 season. He had played the past two full seasons with the Flyers. After only eight games with the Oilers, he suffered an eye injury that eventually forced him to retire at the age of 26. He immediately got into coaching which he's been doing continuously for the past 25 years. He's coached as both head and assistant in the WHL, OHL, AHL, and NHL. He is currently an assistant coach with the Vegas Golden Knights. A happy 52nd to Ryan.

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 February summary [message #777901 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Sun, 28 February 2021 13:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton
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There are no Oiler alumni leap babies (that is no one born on Feb 29) so we can bring February to a close.

So after 81 Oilers born in January, we only had 53 born in February. Expected number is: 701*28.25/365.25 = 54.2, so we're actually almost right on expectation.

January: 36% above expectation
February: 2% below expectation

Maybe my theory about less players as the months go won't come to pass. We'll see.

Here's also the lefty/righty update:

Goalies: 17 catch left; 2 catch right
Defense: 35 shoot left; 13 shoot right
Forwards: 51 shoot left; 16 shoot right

So the lefties continue to outnumber at about 3:1 and much more for goalies. When I'm done, I'll probably add an analysis breaking it down by era and region to see what that shows.

Anyway, I'll be back tomorrow to start in on March.

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 March 1 [message #777923 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Mon, 01 March 2021 10:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
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Location: Edmonton
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We kick off a new month with two players and a coach:



Tom Renney
Born: March 1, 1955 (turns 66 today) in Cranbrook, BC.
Oilers Coaching Career: 2010-11 to 2011-12: 164 games (0 playoff games)

Renney was a career coach starting in 1990 in the WHL. He won a Memorial cup with Kamloops and was eventually hired by the Canucks as their head coach in 1996. He only lasted two years in Vancouver, and then spent ten years with the Rangers, nearly five as their head coach from 2004 to 2009. The Oilers hired him as an associate to Pat Quinn for the 09-10 season and he took over as the head coach to start the 10-11 season. He only lasted two years in the position and the results certainly weren't there. The team finished last and 2nd last overall in his two seasons, although he didn't leave the same negative impression that Eakins left. Since leaving the Oilers he briefly worked as an associate coach for the Red Wings and since 2014 he has been the president and CEO of Hockey Canada. I wish him a happy 66th today.


Marc Habscheid
Born: March 1, 1963 (turns 58 today) in Wymark, SK.
Position: RW/Centre (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 113th overall, June 10, 1981.
Oilers Career: 1981-82 to 1984-85: 74 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Traded to Minnesota (with Don Barber and Emmanuel Viveiros) for Don Biggs and Gord Sherven, December 20, 1985.

Habscheid was a scoring forward in junior, racking up 151 points in 55 games in 81-82 with Saskatoon. The Oilers pulled him up to the bigs based on this, but he could never quite find the same touch in the NHL. He played in parts of four season with the Oilers, spending time in both the NHL and the minors; he strangely never played a single playoff game with the team. The relationship between Habscheid and the Oilers ended acrimoniously when he refused to report to Nova Scotia at the start of the 85-86 season. The Oilers suspended him and eventually swung a multi-player trade with the North Stars. Habscheid would find more success in Minnesota, but would find himself out of the NHL by 1992, finishing his career in the minors and Europe before retiring in 1996. Since retiring, Habscheid has coached in the WHL almost continuously--he is currently the head coach of the Prince Albert Raiders, a position he's held since 2014. A happy 58th to him.


Brad Winchester
Born: March 1, 1981 (turns 40 today) in Madison, Wisconsin.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 35th overall, June 24, 2000.
Oilers Career: 2005-06 to 2006-07: 78 games (10 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Dallas, July 6, 2007.

Winchester was a big power forward who worked his way slowly up through the Oilers system before finally getting his NHL shot in 05-06. He averaged a point a game in the AHL that year, but while with the Oilers, he played 19 games and only produced one assist. The Oilers liked his size and put him on a line with Horcoff and Smyth during the first round series with Detroit. He scored the important game winning goal in game 2, but as the playoffs went on he became a frequent healthy scratch. He spent the entire 06-07 season with the Oilers, but again the offense wasn't there, and they let him walk after the season. He spent the rest of his career bouncing between teams in the NHL and AHL before retiring in 2015. Not sure what he's up to now--hope he has a fine 40th today.

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 Re: March 1 [message #777937 is a reply to message #777923 ]
Mon, 01 March 2021 11:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
OilPeg is currently offline OilPeg
Messages: 70
Registered: December 2010
Location: Winnipeg
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benv wrote on Mon, 01 March 2021 11:12

We kick off a new month with two players and a coach:



Tom Renney
Born: March 1, 1955 (turns 66 today) in Cranbrook, BC.
Oilers Coaching Career: 2010-11 to 2011-12: 164 games (0 playoff games)

Renney was a career coach starting in 1990 in the WHL. He won a Memorial cup with Kamloops and was eventually hired by the Canucks as their head coach in 1996. He only lasted two years in Vancouver, and then spent ten years with the Rangers, nearly five as their head coach from 2004 to 2009. The Oilers hired him as an associate to Pat Quinn for the 09-10 season and he took over as the head coach to start the 10-11 season. He only lasted two years in the position and the results certainly weren't there. The team finished last and 2nd last overall in his two seasons, although he didn't leave the same negative impression that Eakins left. Since leaving the Oilers he briefly worked as an associate coach for the Red Wings and since 2014 he has been the president and CEO of Hockey Canada. I wish him a happy 66th today.


Marc Habscheid
Born: March 1, 1963 (turns 58 today) in Wymark, SK.
Position: RW/Centre (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 113th overall, June 10, 1981.
Oilers Career: 1981-82 to 1984-85: 74 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Traded to Minnesota (with Don Barber and Emmanuel Viveiros) for Don Biggs and Gord Sherven, December 20, 1985.

Habscheid was a scoring forward in junior, racking up 151 points in 55 games in 81-82 with Saskatoon. The Oilers pulled him up to the bigs based on this, but he could never quite find the same touch in the NHL. He played in parts of four season with the Oilers, spending time in both the NHL and the minors; he strangely never played a single playoff game with the team. The relationship between Habscheid and the Oilers ended acrimoniously when he refused to report to Nova Scotia at the start of the 85-86 season. The Oilers suspended him and eventually swung a multi-player trade with the North Stars. Habscheid would find more success in Minnesota, but would find himself out of the NHL by 1992, finishing his career in the minors and Europe before retiring in 1996. Since retiring, Habscheid has coached in the WHL almost continuously--he is currently the head coach of the Prince Albert Raiders, a position he's held since 2014. A happy 58th to him.


Brad Winchester
Born: March 1, 1981 (turns 40 today) in Madison, Wisconsin.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 35th overall, June 24, 2000.
Oilers Career: 2005-06 to 2006-07: 78 games (10 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Dallas, July 6, 2007.

Winchester was a big power forward who worked his way slowly up through the Oilers system before finally getting his NHL shot in 05-06. He averaged a point a game in the AHL that year, but while with the Oilers, he played 19 games and only produced one assist. The Oilers liked his size and put him on a line with Horcoff and Smyth during the first round series with Detroit. He scored the important game winning goal in game 2, but as the playoffs went on he became a frequent healthy scratch. He spent the entire 06-07 season with the Oilers, but again the offense wasn't there, and they let him walk after the season. He spent the rest of his career bouncing between teams in the NHL and AHL before retiring in 2015. Not sure what he's up to now--hope he has a fine 40th today.



It shocks me to read that Winchester only played 78 games as an Oiler...I feel like had been around forever. crazy.

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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 Re: March 1 [message #777940 is a reply to message #777923 ]
Mon, 01 March 2021 11:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Adam is currently offline Adam
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Location: Edmonton, AB
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benv wrote on Mon, 01 March 2021 10:12

Tom Renney
Born: March 1, 1955 (turns 66 today) in Cranbrook, BC.
Oilers Coaching Career: 2010-11 to 2011-12: 164 games (0 playoff games)

Renney was a career coach starting in 1990 in the WHL. He won a Memorial cup with Kamloops and was eventually hired by the Canucks as their head coach in 1996. He only lasted two years in Vancouver, and then spent ten years with the Rangers, nearly five as their head coach from 2004 to 2009. The Oilers hired him as an associate to Pat Quinn for the 09-10 season and he took over as the head coach to start the 10-11 season. He only lasted two years in the position and the results certainly weren't there. The team finished last and 2nd last overall in his two seasons, although he didn't leave the same negative impression that Eakins left. Since leaving the Oilers he briefly worked as an associate coach for the Red Wings and since 2014 he has been the president and CEO of Hockey Canada. I wish him a happy 66th today.



Of everyone on the Oilers coaching carousel over the last decade or so, Renney was my favourite. I thought he had the worst teams, and challenging marching orders from a management group who wanted him "selling hope". I thought it made zero sense for the Oilers to let him go while at the same time saying that the whole plan had been to be bad for another season. If that was the strategy, why let the coach go for that?

Also - as bad as firing Krueger on Skype was, or "promoting" Pat Quinn to special advisor and claiming it was always the plan (to which Quinn said he wished someone had told him the plan at some point), asking Tom Renney to write an essay on why he shouldn't be let go is pretty much bottom of the barrel.

"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
#FireLowe #FireBobbyNicks #FireKenHolland #FireKeithGretzky

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 March 2 [message #778183 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Tue, 02 March 2021 09:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton
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Just a single alumnus to discuss today:



Raimo Summanen
Born: March 2, 1962 (turns 59 today) in Jyvaskyla, Finland
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 125th overall, June 9, 1982.
Oilers Career: 1983-84 to 1986-87: 132 games (10 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Traded to Vancouver for Moe Lemay, March 10, 1987.

Summanen was a Finnish left winger who came over during the Oilers heyday in 1984 and made an immediate splash. They put him with Gretzky and Kurri and he got 5 points in 2 games! He played 5 playoff games in the Stanley Cup drive, getting 5 points. Obviously these numbers couldn't last and he spent most of the next year in Nova Scotia. He was made a regular Oiler for 85-86 and 86-87, before being traded to the Canucks at the 1987 trade deadline. After a short stint with Vancouver, he returned to play in Finland in 1989 and he finished his career there before retiring in 1995. Since retiring, Summanen has been coaching in Europe (mostly Finland) and in international events in various assistant and head capacities, where he is known for his abrasive coaching style--including a notorious feud with another Oiler alumnus, Janne Niinimaa, during the 2004 World Cup (Niinimaa walked out on the team). He is currently the head coach of HK Olimpija Ljubljana. A happy 59th to Raimo.

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 March 3 [message #778275 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Wed, 03 March 2021 12:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton
No Cups
Two more bit players (separated by over 40 years) to add today:


Doug Kerslake
Born: March 3, 1950 in Saskatoon, SK.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, February 22, 1975.
Oilers Career: 1974-75 to 1975-76: 23 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Retired in 1976.
Died: April 25, 2015 (age 65) in Edmonton of an unknown cause.

Very little information on Kerslake. He was drafted in the NHL in 1970, bounced around to a few teams, but never made the show until he decided to sign with the WHA Oilers late in the 74-75 season. He scored 4 goals in 10 games for them, and returned the next year, playing another 13 games. That would be the extent of his pro career as he never played pro hockey again after 1976. Almost no information on his life after hockey; he did eventually settle in Edmonton, where he passed away of unknown causes on April 25, 2015 at the age of 65. RIP Doug.


Alexander Petrovic
Born: March 3, 1992 (turns 29 today) in Edmonton, AB.
Position: Defenseman (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Florida for Chris Wideman and 3rd round pick, December 30, 2018.
Oilers Career: 2018-19: 9 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Boston, September 26, 2019.

Petrovic was a 2nd round pick by Florida in the 2010 draft. He was a right shot d-man with some offense coming out of junior and after slowly working his way up managed to start to get games with the big club in 2013, and was a regular by the 14-15 season. After a slow start to the 18-19 season, the Oilers acquired him for Chris Wideman. He finished the season with the Oilers, but injury and healthy scratches would limit his time to just 9 games. The Oilers did not re-sign him, and he signed with Boston in 2019. Since leaving the Oilers he has not been back to the NHL spending 19-20 with Providence (Boston's AHL team) and is currently with Calgary's AHL club in Stockton. Happy 29th Alex.

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 Re: March 3 [message #778336 is a reply to message #778275 ]
Wed, 03 March 2021 18:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
sinfulchimp306 is currently offline sinfulchimp306
Messages: 778
Registered: June 2008
Location: Wilkie saskatchewan
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I had high Hope's when we picked up petrovic,.

Formerly gagnerisgod.
PLAY LABAMBA BABY

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 March 4 [message #778483 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Thu, 04 March 2021 09:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton
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Which Oiler alumni are celebrating a birthday today? I'm glad you asked:


Ron Climie
Born: March 4, 1950 (turns 71 today) in Hamilton, ON.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Toronto (with 2 draft picks) for the WHA rights to Darryl Sittler, June 1973.
Oilers Career: 1973-74 to 1974-75: 125 games (5 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Traded to New England for Tim Sheehy, February 15, 1975.

Climie never played in the NHL, but was a star in the WHA, including his nearly two years with the Oilers. After breaking in the WHA with Ottawa, the Oilers acquired him (for the WHA rights to Darryl Sittler!) and he was an instant success, leading them in scoring for the 73-74 season with 74 points. He was having another pretty good season the following year when the Oilers chose to deal him in February 1975 to the Whalers for Tim Sheehy--another scoring forward. Climie would finish the season with the Whalers, as well as play the entire 75-76 season with them. He only played 5 WHA games during 76-77, a few more in the minors and then was out of hockey. His internet trail seems to end here, so wherever he is I hope he enjoys his 71st birthday.


Joel Persson
Born: March 4, 1994 (turns 27 today) in Kristianstad, Sweden.
Position: Defenseman (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, May 18, 2018.
Oilers Career: 2019-20: 13 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Traded to Anaheim for Angus Redmond and conditional 7th round pick, February 24, 2020.

Persson was an undrafted right shot offensive d-man out of Sweden. The Oilers signed him out of the Swedish Elite League in May 2018, and he came over a year later, made the team out of training camp in 2019, but spent most of the year either as a healthy scratch or in Bakersfield. He got in 13 games with the Oilers (only two assists-both in the same game) and 27 in Bakersfield before being dealt at the deadline to Anaheim. He would finish the season on the Ducks' farm and has since returned to the SEL where he is currently playing for Vaxjo. A happy 27th to him today.

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 March 5 [message #778538 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Fri, 05 March 2021 09:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
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It's 90s throwback day on the Oilers' birthday thread. If you were an avid Oiler fan back in the early 1990s you will surely remember these two names:


Anatoli Semenov
Born: March 5, 1962 (turns 59 today) in Moscow, USSR.
Position: Centre (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 120th overall, June 17, 1989.
Oilers Career: 1989-90 to 1991-92: 116 games (22 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Claimed by Tampa Bay in expansion draft, June 18, 1992.

Semenov had spent 10 years playing for Dynamo Moscow in the Soviet league (he even represented USSR in the 1984 and 1987 Canada Cups) before he made his NHL debut with the Oilers in the playoffs during their 1990 Stanley Cup run (he played just two games), becoming the first Russian to play for the Oilers. He joined the team full time for the next two seasons and was a solid offensive contributor, particularly during the 1991 playoffs. Unfortunately the Oilers were unable to protect him during the 1992 expansion draft and he was scooped up by the Lightning. He would play for five different NHL teams over the next five seasons. He tried returning to Russia in 1997, but played only eight games and then retired early in the 97-98 season. He seems to have kept a low profile since--all I can find on him is that he was an assistant coach for one season in the KHL in 2014-15. Wherever you are Anatoli, happy 59th.


Shjon Podein
Born: March 5, 1968 (turns 53 today) in Rochester, Minnesota.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 166th overall, June 11, 1988.
Oilers Career: 1992-93 to 1993-94: 68 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Philadelphia, July 27, 1994.

Podein was a late round pick by the Oilers in 1988. A US college player who worked his way up to the NHL slowly, playing three years at UMinn followed by two and a half years in Cape Breton before making his Oiler debut during the 92-93 season. He showed some offense and even played with Doug Weight for a while (Weight thought he was European at first), but after lower point totals during 93-94, the Oilers let his contract expire. He had more success after leaving the Oilers as he would remain in the NHL, playing for three different teams over the next nine seasons (having played 699 NHL games once he was done). After a bit of time in Europe he retired in 2006. After retirement, Shjon has worked as a high school head coach in his native Minnesota. A happy 53rd to him.

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 Re: March 5 [message #778563 is a reply to message #778538 ]
Fri, 05 March 2021 12:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Adam is currently offline Adam
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benv wrote on Fri, 05 March 2021 09:49

It's 90s throwback day on the Oilers' birthday thread. If you were an avid Oiler fan back in the early 1990s you will surely remember these two names:


Anatoli Semenov
Born: March 5, 1962 (turns 59 today) in Moscow, USSR.
Position: Centre (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 120th overall, June 17, 1989.
Oilers Career: 1989-90 to 1991-92: 116 games (22 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Claimed by Tampa Bay in expansion draft, June 18, 1992.

Semenov had spent 10 years playing for Dynamo Moscow in the Soviet league (he even represented USSR in the 1984 and 1987 Canada Cups) before he made his NHL debut with the Oilers in the playoffs during their 1990 Stanley Cup run (he played just two games), becoming the first Russian to play for the Oilers. He joined the team full time for the next two seasons and was a solid offensive contributor, particularly during the 1991 playoffs. Unfortunately the Oilers were unable to protect him during the 1992 expansion draft and he was scooped up by the Lightning. He would play for five different NHL teams over the next five seasons. He tried returning to Russia in 1997, but played only eight games and then retired early in the 97-98 season. He seems to have kept a low profile since--all I can find on him is that he was an assistant coach for one season in the KHL in 2014-15. Wherever you are Anatoli, happy 59th.


Shjon Podein
Born: March 5, 1968 (turns 53 today) in Rochester, Minnesota.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 166th overall, June 11, 1988.
Oilers Career: 1992-93 to 1993-94: 68 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Philadelphia, July 27, 1994.

Podein was a late round pick by the Oilers in 1988. A US college player who worked his way up to the NHL slowly, playing three years at UMinn followed by two and a half years in Cape Breton before making his Oiler debut during the 92-93 season. He showed some offense and even played with Doug Weight for a while (Weight thought he was European at first), but after lower point totals during 93-94, the Oilers let his contract expire. He had more success after leaving the Oilers as he would remain in the NHL, playing for three different teams over the next nine seasons (having played 699 NHL games once he was done). After a bit of time in Europe he retired in 2006. After retirement, Shjon has worked as a high school head coach in his native Minnesota. A happy 53rd to him.




I still have an old Anatoli Semenov jersey in my closet. It's pretty small because I was about 14 when I got that.

Semenov was awesome. His face looked like he was about 50 years old and he had a dry delivery in interviews that came off hilarious. He scored a goal against the Kings in Paul Coffey's first game with Los Angeles, where he did a spin-o-rama against Coffey and then a backhand as he completed it and beat Hrudey. I've tried to find that highlight several times with no luck.

Sadly for him, his two games in 1990 didn't include the Finals, so he didn't get his name on the Cup.

"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
#FireLowe #FireBobbyNicks #FireKenHolland #FireKeithGretzky

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 March 6 [message #778631 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Sat, 06 March 2021 11:26 Go to previous messageGo to next message
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Some similarities between the two recent single season seventh d-men to discuss today:



Allan Rourke
Born: March 6, 1980 (turns 41 today) in Mississauga, ON.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by NY Islanders with 3rd round pick for 2nd round pick, July 5, 2007.
Oilers Career: 2007-08: 13 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Not re-signed following 07-08 season.

Rourke had been a mostly minor league defenseman in the Leafs, Hurricanes, and Islanders organizations when he became an "accidental Oiler" in the summer of 2007. The Oilers wanted to make an RFA offer on Dustin Penner, and thus needed their 2008 third round pick back from the Islanders. Rourke was part of the package and the Oilers thought he would likely spend the year in Springfield. Some injuries on the back end caused the Oilers to call him up and he was steady enough to get in 13 games and the reviews were that while he no threat offensively he was steady enough on the backend that the team was comfortable using him. The Oilers chose not to re-sign him following the season, and he spent the next two years in Germany before retiring in 2010. Since retirement, Rourke has worked as a hockey instructor at Golden Glide Hockey in Toronto. A happy 41st to him.


Kevin Gravel
Born: March 6, 1992 (turns 29 today) in Kingsford, Michigan.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, July 1, 2018.
Oilers Career: 2018-19: 36 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Toronto, July 1, 2019.

After being drafted by Los Angeles in 2010, Gravel spent many years in their system, mostly in the minors. The Oilers scooped him as a free agent in 2018. He started the year in the Bakersfield, but was soon called up to the big team and spent the rest of the season with the Oilers. He was often a healthy scratch, but did get in 36 games as their seventh defenseman. While he didn't contribute much offensively, he was considered a reliable depth defenseman. The following season, Gravel signed with Toronto, but was injured most of the year. He has very recently (Jan 26, 2021) signed an AHL contract with the Oilers' farm team in Bakersfield where he is currently playing. A happy 29th birthday to Kevin.

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 March 7 [message #778766 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Sun, 07 March 2021 10:48 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
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Just the single alumnus today:



Geoff Smith
Born: March 7, 1969 (turns 52 today) in Edmonton, AB.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 63rd overall, June 13, 1987
Oilers Career: 1989-90 to 1993-94: 306 games (12 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Traded to Florida (with 4th round pick) for 3rd and 6th round picks, December 6, 1993.

Smith was a regular depth defenseman on the Oilers for about a four and a half seasons. He bridged the gap from the cup years (his first year was the last cup year) and the rebuild of the mid 90s. Never a top scorer he was considered a reliable stay at home blue-liner trusted by both Muckler and Green. The Oilers dealt him to Florida for draft picks in the midst of their rebuild in December 1993. He would continue his career with the Panthers and the Rangers, spend a bit of time in the minors before hanging up the skates in 1999. After retirement, Smith has kept busy by coaching (in the WHL and other lower leagues) and raising thoroughbred horses in Kamloops. Happy 52nd Geoff.

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 Re: March 7 [message #778785 is a reply to message #778766 ]
Mon, 08 March 2021 07:52 Go to previous messageGo to next message
OilPeg is currently offline OilPeg
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benv wrote on Sun, 07 March 2021 11:48

Just the single alumnus today:



Geoff Smith
Born: March 7, 1969 (turns 52 today) in Edmonton, AB.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 63rd overall, June 13, 1987
Oilers Career: 1989-90 to 1993-94: 306 games (12 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Traded to Florida (with 4th round pick) for 3rd and 6th round picks, December 6, 1993.

Smith was a regular depth defenseman on the Oilers for about a four and a half seasons. He bridged the gap from the cup years (his first year was the last cup year) and the rebuild of the mid 90s. Never a top scorer he was considered a reliable stay at home blue-liner trusted by both Muckler and Green. The Oilers dealt him to Florida for draft picks in the midst of their rebuild in December 1993. He would continue his career with the Panthers and the Rangers, spend a bit of time in the minors before hanging up the skates in 1999. After retirement, Smith has kept busy by coaching (in the WHL and other lower leagues) and raising thoroughbred horses in Kamloops. Happy 52nd Geoff.


Geoff Smith was on the 89-90 All Rookie Team. That's all I really remember about him. He had 15 points in 74 games, that seems really low for an all star team.

[Updated on: Mon, 08 March 2021 07:55]

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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 March 8 [message #778801 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Mon, 08 March 2021 10:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
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Location: Edmonton
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A true Oiler tragic tale today matched only last year by Colby Cave:


Don Ashby
Born: March 8, 1955 in Kamloops, BC.
Position: Centre (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Colorado for Bobby Schmautz, February 25, 1980.
Oilers Career: 1979-80 to 1980-81: 24 games (3 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Still in organization at time of death (see below)
Died: May 30, 1981 (age 26) in Kelowna, BC in a car crash.

Ashby was a scoring forward and top prospect coming out to the WCHL. The Leafs drafted him 6th overall in 1975. Despite his pedigree, he could never quite stick permanently with the Leafs spending some time every season in the minors with the both the Leafs and the Rockies. The Oilers acquired him late in the 79-80 season and he had some immediate success, averaging over a point a game, including a 6 point game against the Leafs. He started the next season with the team, but despite 5 points in 6 games, the Oilers sent him to their farm team in Wichita (they did get an influx of great forward that year). He spent the rest of the season in Wichita whom he lead to the CHL finals before losing in seven games. Tragedy struck shortly after the playoff were over when he returned to his home and was involved in a head on collision while driving with his wife on May 30, 1981. He died shortly after of internal injuries at the age of 26. Ashby was the first ever Oiler player to die, and the youngest until the death last year of Colby Cave. Ashby and Cave are also the only two Oilers ever to die while still with the organization. RIP Don (and Colby of course-- but we will get to him later).


Colten Teubert
Born: March 8, 1990 (turns 31 today) in White Rock, BC.
Position: Defenseman (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Los Angeles (with 1st and 3rd round picks) for Dustin Penner, February 28, 2011.
Oilers Career: 2011-12: 24 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Left to play in Europe in 2013.

Teubert was a top prospect coming out of the WHL, but he was never able to quite get his NHL career going. The Kings gave up on him early, trading him in a package to the Oilers for Dustin Penner. He split his first season with the Oilers between OKC and Edmonton. The 24 games he played for Edmonton would be the only NHL action of his career. He didn't impress enough to stick, spending the entire 12-13 season in the minors. He left for Europe after that and played in Germany until retiring in 2017. He is currently the head coach of Bellingham in the WSHL. A happy 31st to Colten.


By the way, the Ashby six point game against Toronto was rebroadcast during the many replay games showing last year during the COVID lockdown. I believe it was Gretzky's first visit to Toronto on HNIC and he also got 6 points (he played on a line with Ashby that night). It was quite a game--check it out on youtube if you're interested (might be a good palate cleanser after the recent three against Toronto):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2ygNXnHPvE

[Updated on: Mon, 08 March 2021 10:08]

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 March 9 [message #778989 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Tue, 09 March 2021 09:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
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Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton
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A couple of right shot forwards today:



Ron Walters
Born: March 9, 1948 (turns 73 today) in Castor, AB.
Position: Centre (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Selected in general WHA player draft, February 12, 1972.
Oilers Career: 1972-73: 78 games (1 playoff game)
Left Oilers: Traded to Los Angeles for Tom Gilmore, October 1973.

Walters was a right shot offensive centre, that played all 78 games and was a top 5 scorer for the Alberta Oilers during their first year of existence (that's right--they were the Alberta Oilers during the 72-73 season; the name was changed to Edmonton Oilers in 1973 when the original plan to split home games between Edmonton and Calgary was abandoned. So SUCK IT CALGARY! For one year the Oilers were your team too!). Despite a decent major-pro start, the Oilers elected to deal Walters to the Los Angeles Sharks at the beginning of the 73-74 season. He would play another season in the WHA, followed by a season split between the WHA and NAHL, before retiring in 1975. I can find no other info on him, so I'm not sure why he quit so early. I'll just wish him a happy 73rd birthday today, whatever he's doing.


Radek Dvorak
Born: March 9, 1977 (turns 44 today) in Tabor, Czechoslovakia.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by NY Rangers (with Cory Cross) for Anson Carter and Ales Pisa, March 11, 2003.
Oilers Career: 2002-03 to 2005-06: 154 games (20 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by St. Louis, September 14, 2006.

Dvorak made an immediate impact, debuting with the Panthers as an eighteen year old in 1995. He put up good numbers over four and half years in Florida and another three in New York, when the Oilers acquired him at the trade deadline in 2003. He scored a highlight reel game winning goal in the playoffs that year for them in 2003, and was a top 2 scorer for them during the 03-04 season. His role diminished a bit after the lockout, and while he played the full 05-06 season with the team, he was often on the fourth line (he got only 2 assists in 16 games during the cup run). The Oilers let him walk in the offseason and he would continue his career eight more years through six more NHL teams. In total he played 18 NHL seasons, without ever seeing the minors. He retired in 2015, but I don't have any info on what he's been up to since. Hope you're well Radek and happy 44th.

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 March 10 [message #779076 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Wed, 10 March 2021 10:03 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
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Here are the three alumni for March 10:




Steve Carlyle
Born: March 10, 1950 (turns 71 today) in Lacombe, AB.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Cleveland for Cash, June 1972.
Oilers Career: 1972-73 to 1975-76: 218 games (6 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to New England (with Clarke Jantze) for Paul Hurley and Kerry Ketter, February 2, 1976.

Carlyle might be the original true loyal Oiler. While drafted by the Canadiens in the NHL, he decided to play for the University of Alberta instead. When the Oilers acquired his WHA rights, he signed with the team and played with them for their first 3 and a half seasons of existence, being a reliable presence on the backend. When the Oilers traded him to New England in February 1976, he decided to retire on the spot rather than report to the Whalers and leave Edmonton. Thus his 218 WHA games were all with the Oilers--as far as I can see, he never played pro hockey again. Following his retirement, he spent time as an elementary school principal in Jasper, and also coached Women's hockey. He is currently the head coach of the Chinese Woman's National Team. A happy 71st to him.


Stu Kulak
Born: March 10, 1963 (turns 58 today) in Edmonton, AB.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Vancouver for cash, December 11, 1986.
Oilers Career: 1986-87: 23 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Sent to NY Rangers as the "future considerations" of previous trade, March 10, 1987.

Kulak was top prospect coming out of the Canucks whose potential was derailed early by an abdominal injury. The Canucks gave up on him in 86-87, allowing the Oilers to get him for cash. He played 23 games for the team, but his offensive potential seemed completely dried up (he got only 4 points--on a team that scored a lot). Prior to the 1987 trade deadline, they deemed him expendable and he was dispatched to the Rangers to complete a previous trade (where the Oilers acquired Reijo Ruotsalainen). Kulak would get a handful of NHL games with the Rangers, Nordiques and Jets, but basically spent the rest of his career in the minors (AHL, IHL, ECHL, CHL, and WCHL). He did have persistence though, playing until he was in his late 30s and not retiring until 2000, despite dropping leagues as he aged. Not sure what he's up to since, but a happy 58th to him.


Andy Sutton
Born: March 10, 1975 (turns 46 today) in London, ON.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Anaheim for Kurtis Foster, July 1, 2011.
Oilers Career: 2011-12: 52 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Retired in 2013.

Sutton was an undrafted tough defenseman, who despite his lower pedigree managed a long NHL career. The Oilers marked the tail end of that career, when they acquired him from the Ducks for the 2011-12 season. He played 52 games for the team that season, which might have been more if he hadn't been suspended twice (5 and 8 games for illegal checks). While never putting up many points, Sutton was actually a decent puck carrier and I will always remember his frequent solo rushes up the ice. Following the season, the Oilers chose not to bring him back, and he eventually retired in 2013 without playing any more games. Since retiring, Sutton has worked in business for Verbero--a hockey equipment company. Happy 46th Andy.

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 March 11 [message #779215 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Thu, 11 March 2021 10:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton
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We have three players today who have a combined total of 18 Oiler games played. If you distinctly remember all three in an Oiler uniform you are truly a dedicated fan:



Tom Gorence
Born: March 11, 1957 (turns 64 today) in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, November 1, 1983.
Oilers Career: 1983-84: 12 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Not re-signed following 83-84 season.

Gorence made a short NHL career out of being a depth forward. He played five full years with the Flyers, before signing with the Oilers for the 83-84 season. Despite being a regular in Philadelphia, he spent most of his time with the Oilers in the minors, getting in 12 games in Edmonton (none in that year's Stanley Cup run). This would be his last taste of the NHL, as the Oilers released him after the season and he played a handful of AHL games before retiring in the fall of 1985. Can't find any info on his life since--as I recall he did return to Edmonton for the 30th reunion of the 83-84 team in 2014 (I recall a story about him being the hardest to track down, because he was living abroad). Wherever you are now Tom, happy 64th.


Daniel Lacroix
Born: March 11, 1969 (turns 52 today) in Montreal, QU.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Philadelphia for Valeri Zelepukin, October 5, 1998.
Oilers Career: 1998-99: 4 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by NY Islanders, August 11, 1999.

Lacroix managed to carve himself a thirteen year pro-career with 5 different organizations, playing a lot in the AHL but getting his fair share of NHL games (188 total). His Oiler career was just one year (98-99) and four games (he spent the rest of the year in Hamilton). He would leave the Oilers after the season, play only one more NHL game and eventually retire in 2002. He immediately went into coaching, starting as an assistant in the QMJHL, but would spend 11 years as an NHL assistant with the Islanders, Lightning, and Canadiens. He followed that up as a head coach in Europe, replacing Peter Draisaitl (Leon's dad) as head coach in Kolner Haie in January 2019. He is currently the head coach of Moncton in the QMJHL. Happy 52nd Daniel.


Martin Rucinsky
Born: March 11, 1971 (turns 50 today) in Most, Czechoslovakia
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 20th overall, June 22, 1991.
Oilers Career: 1991-92: 2 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Traded to Quebec for Ron Tugnutt and Brad Zavisha, March 10, 1992.

Rucinsky was a first round pick of the Oilers (one of their "Gretzky trade picks" from LA) who came out of the Czech league. He started the 91-92 season in the organization, mostly in Cape Breton, but did get in 2 games with the big club. With the Oilers desperate for an improved back-up goalie for Ranford, they sacrificed Rucinsky, despite his high potential, trading him to Quebec for Ron Tugnutt. The trade may have helped the Oilers in the short term (Tugnutt was an upgrade), but Rucinsky did carve himself a long pro career for many years. He remained in the NHL another 16 years until 2008, playing 959 games for seven different teams scoring 612 points. He returned to the Czech republic and played another 8 season there before retiring from hockey in 2015 (at age 44!). Since retirement Rucinsky has worked for the international hockey program in the Czech Republic. A happy 50th to him today.


No March 12 alumni birthdays means no post tomorrow. Be back on Saturday with more. updates.

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 Re: March 11 [message #779281 is a reply to message #779215 ]
Fri, 12 March 2021 11:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
oilfan94 is currently offline oilfan94
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benv wrote on Thu, 11 March 2021 12:06


Daniel Lacroix
Born: March 11, 1969 (turns 52 today) in Montreal, QU.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Philadelphia for Valeri Zelepukin, October 5, 1998.
Oilers Career: 1998-99: 4 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by NY Islanders, August 11, 1999.

Lacroix managed to carve himself a thirteen year pro-career with 5 different organizations, playing a lot in the AHL but getting his fair share of NHL games (188 total). His Oiler career was just one year (98-99) and four games (he spent the rest of the year in Hamilton). He would leave the Oilers after the season, play only one more NHL game and eventually retire in 2002. He immediately went into coaching, starting as an assistant in the QMJHL, but would spend 11 years as an NHL assistant with the Islanders, Lightning, and Canadiens. He followed that up as a head coach in Europe, replacing Peter Draisaitl (Leon's dad) as head coach in Kolner Haie in January 2019. He is currently the head coach of Moncton in the QMJHL. Happy 52nd Daniel.




The thing that makes me remember Lacroix was that for some reason they had him in NHL 2003 on the Oilers. That was a game I played a lot being part of the prime video game playing years as a kid. Anyway, Lacroix had a rating that was pretty low, like a 65 or something, but if you put him on the first line with Smyth and Carter he would easily put up 60 points. Nothing to do with the actual guy, but makes me remember who he is.

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 March 13 [message #779394 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Sat, 13 March 2021 11:36 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
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Location: Edmonton
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It's just one player with one (WHA) game played today:


Dale McMullin
Born: March 13, 1955 (turns 66 today) in Procter, BC.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, August 1977.
Oilers Career: 1977-78: 1 game (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Released following 77-78 season.

McMullin was a left winger who seemed to have some scoring acumen. He played 5 years for the Brandon Wheat Kings amassing over 400 points as a left winger. However, he never found a foothold once he turned pro: 1 game with the WHA Oilers is the extent of his major-pro career, and not even much more in the minors (although I think the stats are incomplete) and seemingly was out of hockey by 1979. After 1979, he played some senior hockey while he worked for a dairy distributor. He shared a lottery win with co-workers in 2001 which allowed him to retire from his day job and get back into the hockey world. McMullin then got into scouting which he has been doing successfully in the WHL for the past 18 years. He was a scout with Red Deer from 2002-2011 and has been director of scouting for Regina since 2011. Happy 66th Dale--hope you treasured your single game with the Oilers.

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 March 14 [message #779495 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Sun, 14 March 2021 12:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
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Location: Edmonton
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Another day, another cup of coffee alumnus celebrating a birthday:


Ron Carter
Born: March 14, 1958 (turns 63 today) in Montreal, QU.
Position: Right Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Right retained in WHA dispersal draft, June 9, 1979.
Oilers Career: 1979-80: 2 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Claimed on waiver by Buffalo, July 1, 1980.

Carter was a scoring machine in the QMJHL, getting 174 points in 71 games during his final season with Sherbrooke. The Oilers retained his rights during their first NHL season and he played two games for them, spending the rest of his time in the CHL with Houston (where he continued to put up points). The Oilers would lose him on waivers to Buffalo the next year, but he would never play in the NHL again (those 2 games are the extent of his NHL experience). He would continue to rack up points in the minor leagues until he retired in 1986. No information on his life since--happy 63rd Ron, wherever you are.

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 March 15 [message #779519 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Mon, 15 March 2021 09:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
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Beware the Ides of March! For it fortells the births of many future Oiler forwards who will be drafted by the team in the 2nd-4th rounds and later struggle to get a foothold with them before leaving the team without accomplishing too much. Hopefully Benson can break that curse--there is still time for him!:



Dan Currie
Born: March 15, 1968 (turns 53 today) in Burlington, ON.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 84th overall, June 21, 1986.
Oilers Career: 1990-91 to 1992-93: 17 games(0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Los Angeles, July 16, 1993.

Currie was a mid-round pick by the Oilers in 1986. He spent 5 years with the organization, but spent almost all of it in the minors in Cape Breton. He got called up for spot duty in three different season, but could never stick, playing only 17 games with Edmonton. He signed with the Kings following the 92-93 season, but played only 5 games for them. He spent the rest of his career in the IHL and a few European leagues before finally calling it a career in 2005. Not sure what he's been up to since; a happy 53rd to him today.


Peter White
Born: March 15, 1969 (turns 52 today) in Montreal, QU.
Position: Centre (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 92nd overall, June 17, 1989.
Oilers Career: 1993-94 to 1995-96: 61 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Traded to Toronto with 4th round pick for Kent Manderville, December 4, 1995.

White was a scoring centre who was a mid-round Oiler draft pick in 1989. After four year in Michigan State, he joined the Oilers for the 92-93 season. After a full season in Cape Breton he made his Oiler debut during the 93-94 season and would play 61 games in Edmonton over the next three years, although he would spend more time in the AHL. His offense never seemed to quite take in the NHL--I always remember the short time that he was put on a line with Doug Weight and Tyler Wright, driving commentators crazy as they tripped over their tongues with the names Weight/Wright/White. The Oilers traded him to Toronto in December 1995 and he would continue his career for another decade playing a total of 220 NHL and 747 AHL games. After a year in Europe he retired in 2006. Following his hockey career, White would do some assistant coaching in US college hockey, and for the past three years has worked as a scout with the Los Angeles Kings. Happy 52nd Peter.


Chris Vande Velde
Born: March 15, 1987 (turns 34 today) in Moorhead, Minnesota.
Position: Center (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 97th overall, July 30, 2005.
Oilers Career: 2010-11 to 2012-13: 28 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Philadelphia, December 12, 2013.

Another player that went the US college route, VandeVelde finally went pro with the Oilers after 4 years at North Dakota. For three years from 10-11 to 12-13 he spent most of his time in Oklahoma City while getting a few looks with the Oilers that amounted to a total of 28 games. The Oilers chose not to re-sign him in 2013 and he would sign with the Flyers. He got regular NHL duty in Philadelphia for three seasons, before going to Europe for two seasons and then retiring in 2019. A happy 34th to Chris.


Tyler Benson
Born: March 15, 1998 (turns 23 today) in Edmonton, AB.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 32nd overall, June 25, 2016.
Oilers Career: 2019-20 to present: 7 games and counting (0 playoff games).

Benson was a phenomenal bantam player out of Edmonton. Injuries derailed his junior career, and he was eventually drafted by his hometown Oilers in the 2nd round of 2016. Injuries have continued to dog his pro career as well. He managed 7 games with the Oilers in 19-20, and so far this season, he is having a phenomenal time in Bakersfield with 16 points in 11 games. Hopefully we will have another good player on their tree and we can look forward to more games from Benson. In the meantime I'll wish him a happy 23rd today.

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 March 16 [message #779786 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Tue, 16 March 2021 09:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
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Here are todays alumni:




Brian McKenzie
Born: March 16, 1951 (turns 70 today) in St. Catharines, ON.
Position: Centre (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Claimed in WHA professional draft, June 1973.
Oilers Career: 1973-74: 78 games (5 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Claimed by Indianapolis in expansion draft, May 30, 1974.

McKenzie was a top prospect center (drafted 18th overall by the Penguins back in 1971) who, aside from one season with the Oilers, never really made it in major pro. After playing only 6 games with Pittsburgh he signed with the Oilers for the 73-74 season and played all 78 games plus 5 playoff games with them as their third line centre. He was claimed by Indianapolis the following season in an expansion draft, but would only get in 9 games with them. The rest of his pro career was spent in the minors until he retired in 1978. That's all the internet tells me about him. Why, after an apparently successful full season with the Oilers could he never get back to the majors? I don't know, but wherever he is, I'll wish Brian a happy 70th birthday today.


Alexander Kerch
Born: March 16, 1967 (turns 54 today) in Arkhangelsk, USSR.
Position: Left Wing (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 60th overall, June 26, 1993.
Oilers Career: 1993-94: 5 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Returned to Russia in 1995

Kerch was already a 26 year old veteran with Dynamo Riga in Russia when the Oilers drafted him in 1993. They brought him over immediately and he managed a point a game in Cape Breton while getting in five games with the Oilers. That would be it for his North American experiment, as we would return to Russia in 1995, where he would play in various leagues for almost two more decades before retiring in 2013 (at the age of 46!). Since retiring he was head coach of Metallurg in the Belarus league in 15-16. A happy 54th to Alexander.


Len Esau
Born: March 16, 1968 (turns 53 today) in Meadow Lake, SK.
Position: Defenseman (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Claimed on waivers from Calgary, January 18, 1995.
Oilers Career: 1994-95: 14 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Claimed on waivers by Calgary, March 7, 1995.

Esau had been a minor league defenseman who had gotten a handful of NHL games with Toronto, Quebec, and Calgary when the Oilers plucked him off waivers from the Flames to shore up their own blue line for the 94-95 season. He would double his NHL games played when the Oiler used him in 14 games over two months, but they eventually chose to demote him, which allowed the Flames to reclaim him on waivers. He would never play in the NHL again, spending the rest of his career in the AHL (save for the 98-99 season when he played in Japan). He retired in 2001. Searching the internet, he seems to be living in Calgary and heavily involved in social and environmental activism (I'm assuming this is the same Len Esau, but I can't be 100% sure). Regardless, a happy 53rd to Len today.

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 Re: March 16 [message #779791 is a reply to message #779786 ]
Tue, 16 March 2021 10:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Adam is currently offline Adam
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benv wrote on Tue, 16 March 2021 09:50


Len Esau
Born: March 16, 1968 (turns 53 today) in Meadow Lake, SK.
Position: Defenseman (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Claimed on waivers from Calgary, January 18, 1995.
Oilers Career: 1994-95: 14 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Claimed on waivers by Calgary, March 7, 1995.

Esau had been a minor league defenseman who had gotten a handful of NHL games with Toronto, Quebec, and Calgary when the Oilers plucked him off waivers from the Flames to shore up their own blue line for the 94-95 season. He would double his NHL games played when the Oiler used him in 14 games over two months, but they eventually chose to demote him, which allowed the Flames to reclaim him on waivers. He would never play in the NHL again, spending the rest of his career in the AHL (save for the 98-99 season when he played in Japan). He retired in 2001. Searching the internet, he seems to be living in Calgary and heavily involved in social and environmental activism (I'm assuming this is the same Len Esau, but I can't be 100% sure). Regardless, a happy 53rd to Len today.



I could be wrong on this, but I believe that Esau is the first player to have gone directly from the Flames to the Oilers, and also the first player to go directly from the Oilers to the Flames...

"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
#FireLowe #FireBobbyNicks #FireKenHolland #FireKeithGretzky

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 Re: March 16 [message #779815 is a reply to message #779791 ]
Tue, 16 March 2021 14:44 Go to previous messageGo to next message
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Adam wrote on Tue, 16 March 2021 10:23


I could be wrong on this, but I believe that Esau is the first player to have gone directly from the Flames to the Oilers, and also the first player to go directly from the Oilers to the Flames...


You could be right about Oilers to Flames, but I think Kari Jalonen beat him by 11 years on Flames to Oilers:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kari_Jalonen

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 Re: March 16 [message #779824 is a reply to message #779815 ]
Tue, 16 March 2021 15:15 Go to previous messageGo to next message
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benv wrote on Tue, 16 March 2021 14:44

Adam wrote on Tue, 16 March 2021 10:23


I could be wrong on this, but I believe that Esau is the first player to have gone directly from the Flames to the Oilers, and also the first player to go directly from the Oilers to the Flames...


You could be right about Oilers to Flames, but I think Kari Jalonen beat him by 11 years on Flames to Oilers:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kari_Jalonen

I stand corrected!

I wonder what the story is with Jalonen - looks like his contract was terminated by the Flames and he signed with the Oilers the following day?!

"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
#FireLowe #FireBobbyNicks #FireKenHolland #FireKeithGretzky

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 March 17 [message #779873 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Wed, 17 March 2021 09:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
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I'm not sure about Irish, but certainly lots of Alberta blood in the Oilers' two St. Patricks' day born alumni:



Stan Weir
Born: March 17, 1952 (turns 69 today) in Ponoka, AB.
Position: Centre (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, June 1978.
Oilers Career: 1978-79 to 1981-82: 268 games (21 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Colorado for Ed Cooper, March 9, 1982.

Weir was a six-year NHL veteran in 1978, having playing with California and Toronto, when he switched leagues to the WHA, signing with the Oilers for the 78-79 season. He would be a great support centre for the young team, behind the teenage Gretzky. When the Oilers moved to the NHL the next year, Weir was reclaimed by Toronto, but the Oilers were able to claim him back on waivers. He had another great season in 79-80, finishing third in team scoring. He would play two more seasons with the Oilers, but his role started to become reduced in 80-81 as the Oilers were inundated with great young forwards, and by the trade deadline of 1982 the Oilers shipped him off to Colorado. He finished 81-82 with the Rockies, played one more NHL season with the Red Wings in 82-83, and finally two seasons in the minors before he retired in 1985. Weir is still around and living in Calgary. I remember him showing up for the closing of Rexall a few years back (minus that magnificent beard he had throughout his Oiler playing days). A happy 69th to him.


Andrew Ference
Born: March 17, 1979 (turns 42 today) in Edmonton, AB.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, July 5, 2013.
Oilers Career: 2013-14 to 2015-16.
Left Oilers: Retired in 2017.

Ference had a long career as a stay at home defenseman with Pittsburgh, Calgary, and Boston. He was already a thirteen year NHL veteran when the Oilers signed him to a lucrative UFA deal in 2013. He immediately had a synergy with coach Dallas Eakins and was made captain of the team (replacing the departed Shawn Horcoff) before even playing his first game. He played two full seasons with the team, but his skills were certainly on the decline. Ference only played 6 games during the 15-16 when he underwent career ending hip surgery before officially retiring in 2017. Since retiring he has worked as the director of the newly formed NHL social impact, growth, and fan development division. A happy 42nd to him today.

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 March 18 [message #780121 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Thu, 18 March 2021 10:03 Go to previous messageGo to next message
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Coincidentally, both of today's alumni passed away last year. Here's a quick tribute to them:


Bob Nevin
Born: March 18, 1938 in South Porcupine, ON.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, October 25, 1976.
Oilers Career: 1976-77: 13 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Retired in 1976.
Died: September 21, 2020 (age 82) in Toronto, ON from complications of dementia and cancer.

Nevin was a right wing whose NHL career started in 1960 and he stayed in the league for sixteen years (never playing in the minors), playing with the Leafs, Rangers, North Stars, and Kings. Nevin consistently provided good offense to all his teams, and even had his personal best season in 74-75 when he got 72 points for the Kings at the age of 37. In the summer of 1976, Nevin decided to try his hand in the WHA, signing with the Oilers. Unfortunately, he broke his collarbone after only 13 games and decided to just retire rather than try to rehab and continue his career (he was 38 after all). Following his retirement, he settled in the Toronto area and was heavily involved in Maple Leaf alumni activity. He died seven months ago in September of cancer and dementia at the age of 82. RIP Bob.


John Hughes
Born: March 18, 1954 in Charlottetown, PEI.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, January 1979.
Oilers Career: 1978-79; 1980-81: 59 games (13 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Claimed by Vancouver in dispersal draft, June 9, 1979.
Reacquired by Oilers: Claimed on waivers from Vancouver, December 15, 1980.
Left Oilers for good: Traded to NY Rangers for Ray Markham, March 10, 1981.
Died: April 8, 2020 (age 66) in Charlottetown, PEI (cause unknown).

John Hughes (no not the Ferris Bueller guy) had two different stints with the Oilers in two different leagues--but I think he's still probably mostly unknown among Oiler fans. He was the only PEI born player in their history until Josh Currie a couple of years ago. Hughes had been a regular blueliner in the WHA for four different teams. He was playing for Indianapolis during the 78-79 season when the team folded halfway into the season. The Oilers signed him, and he finished the season with them, playing a regular shift in the regular season and playoffs. When the Oilers entered the NHL the next season he was plucked by the Canucks in the dispersal draft, but the Oilers obviously still had an eye for him. They claimed him on waivers in December 1980 and he would play another 18 games for them, now in the NHL. He was deemed expendable, though as they traded him a few months later at the deadline in 1981 to the Rangers. After spending 81-82 in the minors, Hughes decided to retire. He returned to the PEI and raised his family. He died just under a year ago at the age of 66 last April of undisclosed causes. RIP John.

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 March 19 [message #780316 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Fri, 19 March 2021 11:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
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We have three alumni born on March 19 plus special bonus coverage of a former Oiler GM who died on this day--I'm doing Gordon today, because there is no record of his birthday.




Gregg Boddy
Born: March 19, 1949 (turns 72 today) in Ponoka, AB.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by San Diego for Larry Hornung, November 26, 1976.
Oilers Career: 1976-77: 46 games (4 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Left for Japan in 1977.

Boddy was a stay at home defenseman, who started with the Oil Kings and ended with the Oilers. From 1971 to 1976 he managed to play 273 games in the NHL, all with the Canucks. He signed with San Diego of the WHA for the 76-77 season, but ended up being traded to the Oilers early in the season. He would finish the season playing 46 games (plus four more in the playoffs) with the Edmonton. He would then finish his career in Japan playing two season there before retiring in 1979. No info on what he's done since; happy 72nd Gregg.


Louie DeBrusk
Born: March 19, 1971 (turns 50 today) in Cambridge, ON.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by NY Rangers (with Bernie Nicholls and Steven Rice) for Mark Messier and future considerations, October 4, 1991.
Oilers Career: 1991-92 to 1996-97: 228 games (6 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Tampa Bay, September 23, 1997.

DeBrusk was a big winger the Oilers acquired as part of the Messier deal in 1991. Never a scorer, he quickly became the Oilers' "tough guy", not playing every game, but consistently being on the team (only a couple of stints in the minors) and dressing when coaches felt toughness was necessary over his six years with the team. The Oilers chose not to re-sign him after 96-97 and he continued his career through several NHL, IHL, and AHL teams until retiring in 2004. Following his hockey career DeBrusk immediately found success as a hockey analyst, first working colour for Coyotes games before coming to Edmonton to replace Ray Ferraro as Sportsnets primary Oilers colour analyst in 2008. He's held this role since--and I'm sure this is where most newer Oilers fans recognize him. A very happy 50th Louie.


Anders Nilsson
Born: March 19, 1990 (turns 31 today) in Lulea, Sweden.
Position: Goalie (catches left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Chicago for Liam Coughlin, July 6, 2015.
Oilers Career: 2015-16: 26 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Traded to St. Louis for Niklas Lundstrom and 5th round pick, February 27, 2016.

Nilsson was a goalie who came over to North America from Sweden in 2011 in the Islanders' system. He played mostly in the AHL, getting occasional NHL duties, but decided to go to the KHL in 2014. The Oilers acquired his rights prior to 15-16 to see what he had. After a great camp he supplanted Ben Scrivens as the backup and spent his entire time (minus two games in Bakersfield) with the big club, even briefly supplanting Talbot for a little while as the go-to guy. The success with Edmonton didn't last and by the trade deadline, with the Oilers already looking at next year, they dealt Nilsson to St.Louis. Since then, he has bounced around the league from the Blues to the Canucks to the Senators acting as a serviceable backup goalie. He's currently in Tampa Bay on their taxi squad (yet to play this year). Happy 31st Anders.


As mentioned here's the bonus coverage of Larry Gordon whose birthday seems to be unknown.

Larry Gordon
Born: Unknown date in 1938 or 1939 in Rochester, New York (?)
Oilers GM Career: 1978-79 to 1979-80: 160 games(16 playoff games)
Died: March 19, 2013 (age 74) in Perinton, New York.

This might be the weirdest entry in this series. Larry Gordon was the Oilers general manager for their last season in the WHA as well as their first in the NHL. He's there in that famous picture standing beside Gretzky when he signed that landmark 21 year contract at center ice in 1979. He's front and centre in the Oilers first NHL team picture for 79-80. Yet he is the only player, coach, or GM in Oiler history without a Wikiepdia page. My early NHL guide and record books from the 80s don't even acknowledge his existence; they list under Oilers GM history "Glen Sather: 79-80 to present" (later versions do finally acknowledge Gordon). Every piece of info I can find on him are from various obituaries when he died on this day eight years ago. Thus I have no idea when his actual birthday is (all his obits say he was 74 when he died, so he must have been born in 1938 or 1939), so I'm cheating a bit and talking about him on his death day instead. Anyway, Gordon worked many years on the business and promotional side of hockey throughout the 60s and 70s. Why the Oilers named him their GM and VP of Hockey operations in 1978, I'm not sure. I'm completely speculating, but I wonder if Sather was actually running things behind the scenes. Regardless, Gordon lasted two years in the position, and is officially the Oilers first NHL GM. After the 79-80 season, Sather moved up to take over GM duties and Gordon bought the CHL Wichita Wind (the Oilers' primary farm team at the time) and became GM and Owner there. He would later own and manage the IHL Lumberjacks, which he did from 1984 to 2000, until he sold the team. As mentioned, he passed away at the age of 74 on this day in 2013. RIP Larry.

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 March 20 [message #780412 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Sat, 20 March 2021 11:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
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A slow day today with just a single one-season alumnus from the worst season in Oilers' history (in my opinion anyway):



Ryan Stone
Born: March 20, 1985 (turns 36 today) in Calgary, AB.
Position: Centre (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Pittsburgh (with Dany Sabourin and 4th round pick) for Mathieu Garon, January 17, 2009.
Oilers Career: 2009-10: 27 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Calgary, July 6, 2010.

Stone came up as a mid-level prospect centre with the Penguins organization playing for years in their AHL affiliate, but only getting in six games in the NHL. The Oilers acquired him in 2009 and he made the team out of training camp that September. He spent the entire season with the team but played only 27 games, with injuries and healthy scratches accounting for the rest. Following the season he signed with his hometown Calgary, but he would never suit up for the Flames or any other NHL team again. He spent 10-11 in the AHL and 11-12 in two different European leagues before retiring in 2012. Since retiring, he's settled in Calgary and works as a business development manager while also working with hockey skill development company called Precise Hockey. Happy 36th Ryan.

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 March 21 [message #780596 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Sun, 21 March 2021 11:29 Go to previous messageGo to next message
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A hockey player turned referee and beloved Russian defenseman are our topics of discussion today:


Paul Stewart
Born: March 21, 1953 (turns 68 today) in Dorchester, Masssachusetts.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, October 1976.
Oilers Career: 1976-77: 2 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Cincinnati, December 12, 1977.

Stewart was a plucky undrafted forward out of the US who could never quite permanently crack a major league lineup. The Oilers actually gave him his first try, signing him for the 76-77 season after his stints in the minors. He would get in two games with the team, and they cut him loose following the season. He had more success with Cincinnati getting in 63 games, and then another 21 games with Quebec in the NHL. He gave up on the dream in 1982 and decided to put his talents towards refereeing. Here he saw success, reffing in the NHL for 20 years from 1983 to 2003--this is likely where you remember him from. Since retiring as a ref he's worked as director of officiating for ECAC hockey as well as a discipline consultant for the KHL. Happy 68th Paul.


Boris Mironov
Born: March 21, 1972 (turns 49 today) in Moscow, USSR.
Position: Defenseman (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Winnipeg (with Mats Lindgren and 1st and 4th round picks) for Dave Manson and 6th round pick, March 15, 1994.
Oilers Career: 1993-94 to 1998-99: 320 games (24 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Traded to Chicago (with Jonas Elofsson, Dean McAmmond, and 2nd round pick) for Daniel Cleary, Chad Kilger, Christian Laflamme, Ethan Moreau, and 2nd round pick, March 20, 1999.

Mironov was in his first NHL season with the Jets, when they included him as a part of a blockbuster to the Oilers to get Dave Manson. Mironov immediately established himself as a fan favourite top offensive defenseman with the Oilers, being a big part of bringing the team back to respectability. After playing all or parts of six seasons with the team he was involved in another blockbuster trade with Chicago. He would play another five years in the league with the Hawks and Rangers. He retired after the 2005 lockout, but did return to Russia to play a few more years before permanently retiring in 2010. Since retirement, Mironov has been a coach (both head and assistant) in the KHL for a few different teams. Most recently he was an assistant coach with Neftekhimik during the 19-20 season. Happy 49th Boris.

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 March 22 [message #780669 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Mon, 22 March 2021 10:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
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A busy day with five alumni birthdays (including the one the Oiler media has been hyping the past couple of days):




Warren Skorodenski
Born: March 22, 1960 (turns 61 today) in Winnipeg, MB.
Position: Goalie (catches left)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, October 8, 1987.
Oilers Career: 1987-88: 3 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Not re-signed following 88-89 season.

Skorodenski was an undrafted goalie out of the WHL. He managed to sign with the Black Hawks, and after several years in the minors found himself their backup goalie for the 84-85 season--he even had the league best save percentage that year (at .903!--my how the league has changed). He found himself back in the minors after that. The Oilers signed him as a potential backup for Fuhr in the 87-88 season (after the departure of Moog). He only got in 3 games for the Oilers and his numbers certainly don't look good (I distinctly remember him being called "Score-against-me" after one bad performance) and by the time Ranford had been acquired his chances of playing with the Oilers were minimal. He spent the rest of his time with the team in Nova Scotia, then played a year with the Canadian National team before retiring in 1990. No info on life after hockey, but I hope he's well and wish him a happy 61st.


Michael Ware
Born: March 22, 1967 (turns 54 today) in York, ON.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 62nd overall, June 15, 1985.
Oilers Career: 1988-89 to 1989-90: 5 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Left to play in Britain in 1991.

Ware was an enforcer who the Oilers drafted in the third round in 1985. He played in the Oilers organization for four years from 1987 to 1991 playing almost exclusively for their AHL team in Cape Breton, but getting a couple of call ups in two different seasons when the Oilers wanted a bit of a nuclear deterrent in the lineup. He would play just 5 games for the Oilers and that would be the extent of his NHL career. He left for Britain in 1991 and had a more successful career there where he played twelve years (minus one quick stop in Germany). He was a fan favourite in England, getting the nickname "The Terminator". He retired in 2004. It looks like Ware has settled in England where he's enjoyed his retirement. A happy 54th to him.


Sven Butenschon
Born: March 22, 1976 (turns 45 today) in Itzehoe, West Germany
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Pittsburgh for Dan Lacouture, March 13, 2001.
Oilers Career: 2000-01 to 2001-02: 21 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Florida, July 9, 2002.

While German born, Butenschon actually grew up in Winnipeg. He came up in the Penguins organization spending most of his time in the minors, but often getting called up to the big team. The Oiler acquired him at the 2001 trade deadline and he would play 7 games for them that season plus another 14 the following season, while spending most of his time in the AHL. They let him walk after the season and he signed with Florida. He would eventually find a more solid footing with the Islanders, but still spent a lot time in the AHL until he eventually went to his parents' homeland of Germany to finish out his career in 2006. He played there until retiring in 2013. After retirement he returned to Canada and worked as lead instructor for Leslie Global Sports for two years. Since 2015 he's worked as a coach with UBC, being the head coach since September 2016. Happy 45th Sven.


Tom Poti
Born: March 22, 1977 (turns 44 today) in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 59th overall, June 22, 1996.
Oilers Career: 1998-99 to 2001-02; 285 games (15 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Traded to NY Rangers (with Rem Murray) for Mike York and 4th round pick, March 19, 2002.

Poti was a high scoring US defenseman who (after being drafted by Edmonton in 1996) came right out of Boston University and into a starting role on the Oilers blueline in 1998. He played nearly four full seasons with the team, and was consistently one of their top defenseman. During the 2001-02 season he started to fall out of favour (particularly with fickle Oiler fans who thought him "soft") and was dealt to the Rangers. He continued his career for another eleven years through the Rangers, Islanders, and Capitals. He suffered an injury while with Washington in 2011 and missed the 11-12 season. He returned for the 12-13 but retired after that, when there was no interest in him. Since retiring he's become a part owner of the Boston Bandits junior team. Happy 44th Tom.


Mike Smith
Born: March 22, 1982 (turns 39 today) in Kingston, ON.
Position: Goalie (catches left).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent July 1, 2019.
Oilers Career: 2019-20 to present: 55 games and counting (1 playoff game)

Considering how much they were hyping Smith's upcoming birthday on the Saturday's broadcast, I assume most of you were expecting this entry. Smith started his career in 06-07 as Marty Turco's backup in Dallas. By the time he was in Phoenix (via Tampa Bay) he was an established top NHL goalie. Since signing with the Oilers in 2019 he's had a mix of brilliance as well as his share of subpar performances. While many (including me) were skeptical of the Oilers re-signing Smith back in October, it's undeniable that he's had a fantastic season--especially considering his age. He's certainly exciting watch, and we'll have to see how his career continues here, at least for the rest of this season. Let's wish him a happy 39th and a win tonight (assuming he's starting).

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 Re: March 22 [message #780674 is a reply to message #780669 ]
Mon, 22 March 2021 11:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
CrusaderPi is currently offline CrusaderPi
Messages: 7632
Registered: December 2003
Location: AB Highway 100
6 Cups
I'm happy my Oilfans posts about Tom Poti have been deleted. I was one of the people who was very wrong about him in the early 2000s. Back then I believed everything the media and team said because they were the good guys, the small guys fighting for hockey in Edmonton. So many regrets.

Sven Butenschon is one of my top 3 favorite obscure Oilers and I have no idea why. I really enjoyed him when he played here for no reason.

Good day in the old birthday thread for me.

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

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 Re: March 22 [message #780684 is a reply to message #780669 ]
Mon, 22 March 2021 12:19 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
Adam is currently offline Adam
Messages: 6804
Registered: August 2005
Location: Edmonton, AB
6 Cups
Is that the busiest birthday day on the calendar for the Oilers? I think it's well above any other to date this year....

"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
#FireLowe #FireBobbyNicks #FireKenHolland #FireKeithGretzky

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 Re: March 22 [message #780688 is a reply to message #780684 ]
Mon, 22 March 2021 12:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv is currently offline benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton
No Cups
Adam wrote on Mon, 22 March 2021 12:19

Is that the busiest birthday day on the calendar for the Oilers? I think it's well above any other to date this year....


If you're just talking volume then no: January 3 had seven players.

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