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Re: March 22 [message #780688 is a reply to message #780684 ]	Mon, 22 March 2021 12:35

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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Re: March 22 [message #780691 is a reply to message #780688 ]	Mon, 22 March 2021 12:53

Adam
Messages: 6803
Registered: August 2005
Location: Edmonton, AB

6 Cups

benv wrote on Mon, 22 March 2021 12:35

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.

Shows how short my attention span is!

"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 23 [message #780777 is a reply to message #771063 ]	Tue, 23 March 2021 10:09

benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

They can postpone Oiler games, but they can't stop the Oiler birthday thread. We've got another busy day with four players and a coach to discuss:

Ted Green
Born: March 23, 1940 in Eriksdale, MB.
Oilers Coaching Career: 1991-92 to 1993-94: 188 games (16 playoff games).
Died: October 8, 2019 (age 79) in Edmonton, AB of an undisclosed illness.

Green was a hard hitting right shot defenseman that had an extensive pro-career, playing 11 years with the Bruins followed by seven years in the WHA with the Whalers and Jets. His most infamous incident during his playing days was a stick swinging incident with Wayne Maki in 1969 where his skull was fractured and he suffered brain damage, missing Boston's entire season (a cup winning one). Both he and Maki were actually charged with assault (a first for the NHL) but later acquitted. He retired in 1979 and after a few years coaching and scouting in the WHL, he was hired by his buddy Glen Sather as an assistant with the Oilers in 1982. He held that role for nine years, being a part of all five cup wins. When John Muckler left for the Sabres in 1991, Green was promoted and finally got his chance to be the head man. His first season (91-92) went pretty well as he managed to take the rebuilding team to the conference finals. The team struggled mightily under him the following two years (as they continued to shed their good players), and Sather was finally forced to fire one of his best friends after 24 games during the 93-94 season (he would go behind the bench himself to replace Green). Green would remain in Edmonton and actually returned to the Oilers staff as an assistant from 1997 to 2004, before retiring from coaching for good. He died here in Edmonton about 18 months ago in October 2019 at the age of 79 after an undisclosed illness. RIP Ted.

Bengt Gustafsson
Born: March 23, 1958 (turns 63 today) in Karlskoga, Sweden.
Position: Centre (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, March 1979.
Oilers Career: 1978-79: 0 games (2 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Claimed by Washington in WHA dispersal draft, June 9, 1979.

Gustafsson is the only player in Oiler history to play in the playoffs for them without ever appearing in a regular season game. He was a sought after Swedish forward and the Oilers managed to convince him to sign with them in 1979. He played in just two games during the playoffs that year, but the Oilers wanted him to remain, and made him a priority selection to keep his rights when they merged into the NHL. Despite this, the NHL ruled that Washington could reclaim him anyway since the Oilers didn't have a valid contract with him (the first instance of the NHL screwing the Oilers before they'd even played a game). Gustafsson would go on to a decent NHL career, playing nine seasons with the Capitals and averaging about 60 points a season. He returned to Europe and finished his career with 10 more seasons in Sweden and Austria before retiring in 1999. He immediately started coaching and has coached for various teams (mostly as the head coach) across Europe which he did for twenty years until 2019. He most famously won Olympic gold with team Sweden in 2006. A happy 63rd to Bengt.

Mike Toal
Born: March 23, 1959 (turns 62 today) in Red Deer, AB.
Position: Centre (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 105th overall, August 9, 1979.
Oilers Career: 1979-80: 3 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Retired in 1982.

Toal was the Oilers last pick in their first NHL draft in 1979 (selected after Kevin Lowe, Mark Messier, and Glenn Anderson--hard to make an impression after that group). He spent three years in the organization and managed to get in three games during that first season (0 points--but he did get a point a game in the minors). He retired at the age of 23 after the 81-82 season in Wichita and as far the internet is concerned, was never heard from again. Wherever you are Mike, hope things are good and happy 62nd.

Alexander Selivanov
Born: March 23, 1971 (turns 50 today) in Moscow, USSR.
Position: Right Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Tampa Bay for Alexandre Daigle, January 29, 1999.
Oilers Career: 1998-99 to 1999-2000: 96 games (7 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Columbus, November 27, 2000.

Selivanov was a Russian sniper who had played five years in Tampa Bay when the Oilers acquired him partway through the 98-99 season to try to boost their offense. He provided some pop, but was not consistent enough to be an everyday player. The following season, Selivanov got off to an incredible start, having a four goal game, and actually leading the league in scoring early on. Obviously this was unsustainable, and he eventually came back down to earth, but was still third on the team in scoring. Despite this, the Oilers decided not to bring him back for 2000-01, and he ended up signing in Columbus for one disappointing season before returning to Russia. He would play another eleven years in Russia and Germany before retiring in 2012. Selivanov was married to Carrie Esposito, daughter of Phil--she died tragically in 2012. Hopefully Alexander is better now, and I wish him a happy 50th.

Laurent Brossoit
Born: March 23, 1993 (turns 27 today) in Port Alberni, BC.
Position: Goalie (catches left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Calgary (with Roman Horak) for Olivier Roy and Ladislav Smid, November 8, 2013.
Oilers Career: 2014-15 to 2017-18: 28 games (1 playoff game).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Winnipeg, July 1, 2018.

Brossoit was a star goalie with the Oil Kings, which made the Oilers target him in 2013, and they made a rare trade with Calgary to get him. He played his first three years in the organization with Bakersfield, getting occasional call ups when goalies were injured. He managed to become the backup for a while late in 16-17 and into the beginning of 17-18, but he lost this job to Al Montoya when he was acquired, and Brossoit found himself back in Bakersfield. The Oilers chose to let him go after 17-18 and he's since found a home in Winnipeg where he's been the primary backup for Connor Hellybuck for the past three seasons. He's currently having his best year yet in the NHL. Happy 28th Laurent (but I still hope you're leaky whenever the Oilers face you again).

[Updated on: Tue, 23 March 2021 12:17]

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Re: March 23 [message #780778 is a reply to message #780777 ]	Tue, 23 March 2021 10:15

MJ
Messages: 240
Registered: November 1997
Location: Victoria

No Cups

You made me look it up benv as I was pretty sure Broissoit was from the island. Confirmed that he was born in Port Alberni.

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Re: March 23 [message #780794 is a reply to message #780778 ]	Tue, 23 March 2021 12:20

benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

MJ wrote on Tue, 23 March 2021 10:15

You made me look it up benv as I was pretty sure Broissoit was from the island. Confirmed that he was born in Port Alberni.

Fixed now. I've never heard of the place, so I think my brain just made my fingers type "Albert" for "Alberni".

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March 24 [message #780893 is a reply to message #771063 ]	Wed, 24 March 2021 09:46

benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

The beat goes on as three Oilers' alumni celebrate a birthday today:

Bill Laing
Born: March 24, 1953 (turns 68 today) in Harris, SK.
Position: Centre (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 39th overall, June 1973.
Oilers Career: 1974-75 to 1975-76: 96 games (4 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Retired in 1976

Not a lot of info about Laing. He was a centre and mid-round draft pick in both the NHL and WHA. He played with the Oilers for two seasons in the WHA, getting 26 points in 96 games from 1974 to 1976. There is then no record of him playing hockey again. Why he retired so young (he would only have been 23 in 1976), I can't tell you; he was obviously good enough to play a semi-regular shift on a major pro team. The only other piece of info I can find is that on January 2019, he suited up for his hometown Harris Slopuckers and scored two goals, making him the oldest Slopucker (at age 65) with a multi goal game. Good to hear he's in still in great shape--happy 68th Bill.

Pat Price
Born: March 24, 1955 (turns 66 today) in Nelson, BC.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Claimed from NY Islanders in expansion draft, June 13, 1979.
Oilers Career: 1979-80 to 1980-81: 134 games (3 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Pittsburgh for Pat Hughes, March 10, 1981.

Price carved himself a decent career as a depth defenseman (although he was initially a top prospect--drafted first overall in the WHA and 11th overall in the NHL), playing 726 NHL games, plus 68 more in the WHA. His Oiler career was in the middle of that; the Oilers got him from the Islanders in the expansion draft when Edmonton entered the NHL. He would play nearly two full seasons with the team, playing almost all the games, but they would trade him at the deadline in 1981 for forward Pat Hughes (bummer for Price--both the Islanders and Oilers got rid of him just before they started winning cups). He continued his career with the Penguins, Nordiques, Rangers, and North Stars before he retired in 1988. He settled in his hometown of Nelson after retirement and was a volunteer coach for the local junior team. A happy 66th Pat.

Brian Swanson
Born: March 27, 1976 (turns 45 today) in Eagle River, Alaska.
Position: Centre (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, August 19, 1999.
Oilers Career: 2000-01 to 2002-03: 68 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Atlanta, July 24, 2003.

After a successful US college career, the Oilers signed Swanson to an NHL contract and he spent four years in the organization. After some success with their AHL affiliate in Hamilton, he made his Oiler (and NHL) debut during the 2000-01 season. As often happens, his AHL scoring prowess never quite transferred at the NHL level; he would play a total of 68 games for the Oilers over 3 years but only got 16 points, and they washed their hands of him following the 02-03 season. Swanson spent the next year in the Thrasher's organization, but would only play two games for them (his only 2 NHL games outside of the Oilers), spending the year in the AHL. He left for Germany in 2004 and spent six seasons there before returning to his home state of Alaska and finishing his career with the Aces of the ECHL. He retired in 2012--can't find any info on his life since. Wherever he his: happy 45th Brian.

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March 25 [message #780964 is a reply to message #771063 ]	Thu, 25 March 2021 10:11

benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

Today's alumni are a forward, a defenseman, and a coach:

Pat Hughes
Born: March 25, 1955 (turns 66 today) in Calgary, AB.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Pittsburgh for Pat Price, March 10, 1981.
Oilers Career: 1980-81 to 1984-85: 300 games (55 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Pittsburgh for Mike Moller, October 4, 1985.

Hughes was early in his NHL career, having played three seasons with Montreal and Pittsburgh, when the Oilers acquired him as a third line winger/penalty killer. His offense really blossomed in Edmonton, as he spent four plus years as an Oiler. He would set the record for fastest two shorthanded goals by one player (broken 5 years later by another Oiler, Esa Tikkanen), as well as pot himself a five goal game (against Calgary) during his stay with the Oilers. After winning his second Oiler cup (and third overall--he had one with Montreal in 1979), the Oilers dealt him back to Pittsburgh prior to the start of the 85-86 season. He played two more years with three different NHL teams before calling it a career in 1987. Hughes then moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan and became a police officer for 20 years before retiring from the force. Happy 66th Pat.

George Burnett
Born: March 25, 1962 (turns 59 today) in Port Perry, ON.
Oilers Coaching Career: 1994-95: 35 games (0 playoff games)

Burnett was a minor league forward who played in the OHL and at McGill. He never advanced beyond this as a player but then became a coach starting in 1989 and he's been doing it consistently since. After three years in the OHL as a head coach, the Oilers hired him to coach their AHL affiliate in Cape Breton. After two years there he was hired by Glen Sather to be the new Oilers head coach for the 94-95 season. His tenure in the lockout shortened season was not a success. After guiding the Oilers at about a .500 clip through 28 games, the Oilers went on a seven game losing streak and Burnett had a publicized dispute with his captain Shayne Corson, where Burnett stripped Corson of the "C". One loss later, and Sather decided to fire Burnett, and that would be it for him as an NHL head coach. He surfaced as an assistant in Anaheim for a couple of years, but otherwise has been a head coach in the OHL for well over twenty years now. He is currently the head coach and general manager of the Guelph Storm. A happy 59th to George.

Ladislav Benysek
Born: March 25, 1975 (turns 46 today) in Olomouc, Czechoslovakia.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 266th overall, June 28, 1994.
Oilers Career: 1997-98: 2 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Claimed on waivers by Anaheim, September 27, 1999.

Benysek was a defenseman and an 11th round pick of the Oilers out of the Czech Republic. He spent 94-95 in Cape Breton, but returned to the Czech republic for the next two seasons. He came back to North America and played with Hamilton in 97-98 getting a brief two game look with the Oilers in a call up. That would be it for his Oiler career, as they would waive him and he would be claimed by Anaheim the next year. He established himself as an NHL defenseman in 2000-01 when he played 2 plus seasons with the expansion Wild, but soon found himself back in the AHL, and eventually back in Europe. He played another decade all in Europe before retiring in 2013. Since retiring he's worked as an NHL scout with the Minnesota Wild. A happy 46th to Ladislav.

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March 26 [message #781043 is a reply to message #771063 ]	Fri, 26 March 2021 10:02

benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

Three more entries in the thread today:

Danny Arndt
Born: March 26, 1955 (turns 66 today) in Saskatoon, SK.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by New England (with future considerations and cash) for Jack Carlson, Steve Carlson, Dave Dryden, Dave Keon, and John McKenzie, January 19, 1977.
Oilers Career: 1976-77: 1 game (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Traded to Birmingham (with Chris Evans and Pete Laframboise) for Jeff Jacques and Lou Nistico, September 19, 1977.

Arndt is a bit of a mystery. A good scorer out of the Saskatoon Blades, he was drafted in the second round in both the NHL and WHA. He chose the WHA route, signing with the Whalers. Halfway through his second season in New England he was traded to Edmonton for five(!) players (along with futures and cash). For all the Oilers gave up for him, he played a total of one game with the team (I'm guessing injuries, but I can't find anything official). The following offseason they traded him to Birmingham. He would play only four more games in the WHA (the rest in the minors) that season and then retire at the end of the season in 1978 (at the age of 23--again I assume injuries, but can't find anything official). After retiring he became a school gym teacher in Saskatoon. Hope he's enjoying life; happy 66th Danny.

Luke Richardson
Born: March 26, 1969 (turns 52 today) in Ottawa, ON.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Toronto (with Vincent Damphousse, Peter Ing, Scott Thornton, and futures) for Glenn Anderson, Craig Berube, and Grant Fuhr, September 19, 1991.
Oilers Career: 1991-92 to 1996-97: 436 games (28 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Philadelphia, July 23, 1997.

Richardson carved himself a long career as a stay at home, aggressive d-man. He broke in with Toronto (which included a notorious incident of Dino Ciccarelli trying to use his head as a chopping block) and after three seasons there was traded to the Oilers as part of a big blockbuster in 1991. He would spend six full seasons patrolling the Oiler blue line, not a big point producer but all four coaches he went through gave him plenty of ice time. By 1997, the Oilers could no longer pay him and he signed with Philadelphia. He continued his NHL career twelve more years through the Flyers, Blue Jackets, Leafs (again), Lightning, and Senators before finally retiring in 2009. Since retirement he's worked as a coach: he's been an assistant with both the Senators and Islanders, as well as a head coach in the AHL in Binghamton. He is currently in his third season as an assistant with the Montreal Canadiens. Richardson has been a staunch advocate of promoting awareness of teen suicide after tragically losing his daughter from it in 2010. A very happy 52nd to Luke.

Mike Peca
Born: March 26, 1974 (turns 47 today) in Toronto, ON.
Position: Centre (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by NY Islanders for Mike York and 4th round pick, August 3, 2005.
Oilers Career: 2005-06: 71 games (24 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Toronto, July 18, 2006.

Peca had a long career as a superior checking centre with good offense. By the time the Oilers acquired him in 2005 he had been in the league for ten years with the Canucks, Sabres, and Islanders and had won the Selke trophy with both Buffalo and New York. At first Peca didn't seem enthused to be in Edmonton, and his play was not up to what it had been in New York--he even made a trade request at one point, but the Oilers hung on to him for their playoff drive, and once the trade deadline was past, he reportedly told GM Lowe that "I'm gonna be great from now on". He was true to his word as his play picked up in the latter part of the season and into the Oilers' Cup run. He considered staying and signing during the off season but eventually opted to go to Toronto, making him a one-season only Oiler. He played just one season in Toronto, a couple more in Columbus before retiring in 2009. Since retiring, he's gone into coaching, starting in the OJHL and working up. He's currently a player development coach with the Washington Capitals. Happy 47th Mike.

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Re: March 26 [message #781045 is a reply to message #781043 ]	Fri, 26 March 2021 10:21

CrusaderPi
Messages: 7631
Registered: December 2003
Location: AB Highway 100

6 Cups

benv wrote on Fri, 26 March 2021 10:02

Danny Arndt
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by New England (with future considerations and cash) for Jack Carlson, Steve Carlson, Dave Dryden, Dave Keon, and John McKenzie, January 19, 1977.

Craziest trade ever. A kid for a Hall of Famer, the Hansen brothers, a Hall of Famer's brother, and one half of the best SCTV duo.

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 26 [message #781049 is a reply to message #781045 ]	Fri, 26 March 2021 11:22

GabbyDugan
Messages: 828
Registered: May 2002
Location: Edmonton, AB

No Cups

CrusaderPi wrote on Fri, 26 March 2021 10:21

benv wrote on Fri, 26 March 2021 10:02

Danny Arndt
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by New England (with future considerations and cash) for Jack Carlson, Steve Carlson, Dave Dryden, Dave Keon, and John McKenzie, January 19, 1977.

Craziest trade ever. A kid for a Hall of Famer, the Hansen brothers, a Hall of Famer's brother, and one half of the best SCTV duo.

I remember watching the movie Slap Shot then looking up what was going on when it was shot. The Minnesota Fighting Saints of the WHA were folding for a second time. and sold off all their players to the New England Whalers, who in turn dumped many of them on the Edmonton Oilers. Most of them never got to play for Edmonton.

Or something like that. Reggie Dunlop (Paul Newman)was sure one heck of a hockey player.

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Re: March 26 [message #781060 is a reply to message #781049 ]	Fri, 26 March 2021 13:53

CrudeRemarks
Messages: 1698
Registered: November 2010
Location: Edmonton

1 Cup

GabbyDugan wrote on Fri, 26 March 2021 11:22

CrusaderPi wrote on Fri, 26 March 2021 10:21

benv wrote on Fri, 26 March 2021 10:02

Danny Arndt
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by New England (with future considerations and cash) for Jack Carlson, Steve Carlson, Dave Dryden, Dave Keon, and John McKenzie, January 19, 1977.

Craziest trade ever. A kid for a Hall of Famer, the Hansen brothers, a Hall of Famer's brother, and one half of the best SCTV duo.

https://www.pressreader.com/canada/saskatoon-starphoenix/201 00102/281865819588508

Chronic thigh injury forced his retirement apparently.

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

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March 27 [message #781095 is a reply to message #771063 ]	Sat, 27 March 2021 11:23

benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

Here are two players who actually finished their careers with the Oilers--doesn't seem to happen that often:

Bryan Campbell
Born: March 27, 1944 (turns 77 today) in Sudbury, ON.
Position: Centre (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Indianapolis for Gene Peacosh, November 1976.
Oilers Career: 1976-77 to 1977-78: 119 games (5 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Retired in 1978.

Campbell was a minor league forward to start his career in the mid 60s. He got his chance in the NHL in 1967 when the league doubled in size. After five years with the Kings and Blackhawks, he jumped over to the new WHA league in 1972 and would spend the rest of his career there as a top scoring centre. His WHA teams included Philadelphia, Vancouver, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis before he finally came over to the Oilers early in the 76-77 season. He would tie for the team lead in scoring (despite missing the start of the season) in 76-77, but his production dropped significantly the following season. After playing out the 77-78 season with the Oilers he retired from hockey. He seems to have lead a quiet life since retiring, living in Florida with his wife. A happy 77th to Bryan.

Ken Solheim
Born: March 27, 1961 (turns 60 today) in Medicine Hat, AB.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, August 15, 1985.
Oilers Career: 1985-86: 6 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Retired in 1986.

There's very little info available on Solheim. He was a scoring forward for the Medicine Hat Tigers, drafted in the 2nd round of the NHL in 1980. For five years he bounced up and down between the minors and the NHL in three different organizations (Chicago, Minnesota, Detroit). After finally playing most of a season in the NHL in 84-85, he got cocky and decided he was ready to sign with the Oilers in 1985 (a very tough team to secure a forward spot on). He would play almost the entire season in Nova Scotia, getting only 6 games with the Oilers (1 goal). That would be it for him as he retired after the season was done. I can't find any other info on him except for a tribute by the Medicine Hat Tigers in 2006 (which only talks about his junior and NHL days). Wherever he is, I wish him a happy 60th today).

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March 28 [message #781248 is a reply to message #771063 ]	Sun, 28 March 2021 11:34

benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

We move east across Canada from Saskatchewan to Quebec with today's four alumni:

Bobby Schmautz
Born: March 28, 1945 (turns 76 today) in Saskatoon, SK.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Boston for Dan Newman, December 10, 1979.
Oilers Career: 1979-80: 29 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Colorado for Don Ashby, February 25, 1980.

Schmautz was a forechecking right wing who could also contribute some pretty good offense. He had a slow build up in his career as he didn't become a full time NHLer until 1971 with the Canucks. He had his greatest success from 1973 to 1979 with the Bruins (particularly in the playoffs--he has as many playoff goals with the Bruins as Bobby Orr). Twenty games into the 79-80 season the Bruins traded him to the Oilers. He would only play 29 games with Edmonton, racking up 16 points. Just over two months after arriving, the Oilers flipped him to Colorado for Don Ashby. Schmautz would finish the season in Colorado, play one more season with the Canucks, and then retire in 1981. He seems to have kept a low profile since then--happy 76th Bobby, wherever you are.

Edit (April 20, 2022): It turns out Schmautz died of cancer on the same day I posted this, right on his birthday on March 28, 2021 at the age of 76. RIP Bobby.

Ron Chipperfield
Born: March 28, 1954 (turns 67 today) in Brandon, MB.
Position: Centre (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, May 31, 1977.
Oilers Career: 1977-78 to 1979-80: 202 games (18 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Quebec for Ron Low, March 11, 1980.

Chipperfield was a right shot offesive centre out of the Brandon Wheat Kings who chose to go the WHA route. He signed with the Vancouver Blazers in 1974, and relocated with the team to Calgary the following season. When the Cowboys folded two years later, the Oilers picked their carcass and got Chipperfield on board. He played the final two years of the WHA with Edmonton, growing into one of their leaders and getting well over a point a game during the two seasons. He remained with the team in the move to the NHL and was named the Oilers' first NHL captain (replacing Paul Shmyr who had been claimed by the North Stars). With the Oilers requiring an upgrade in goal, Chipperfield was traded to Quebec at the 1980 deadline for Ron Low. He didn't find much success with the Nordiques and left to play in Italy in 1981. He finished out his career there before retiring in 1984. He remained in Italy to coach for another four years but he seems to drop off the grid after that. Hope he's well, and happy 67th today.

Jeff Beukeboom
Born: March 28, 1965 (turns 56 today) in Ajax, ON.
Position: Defenseman (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 19th overall, June 8, 1983.
Oilers Career: 1985-86 to 1991-92: 284 games (29 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to NY Rangers for David Shaw, November 12, 1991.

Beukeboom was a rugged hard hitting defenseman who had a long NHL career with only two teams. He was a first round pick by the Oilers in 1983 (they didn't screw up ALL their picks back then), and made his Oiler debut in the playoffs in 1986. He slowly worked his way into a regular spot in the lineup, getting more and more ice time as the years went on. By the 1990-91 season he was an important part of the blue line and was feared for his hard hits (particularly in that first round series against Calgary). He started 91-92 with the Oilers, but they were forced to send him to the NY Rangers as the "future considerations" in the previous Messier trade. He played eight years in New York before concussion issues forced him to retire in 1999. Since retiring Beukeboom went into coaching, mostly as an assistant in the OHL and AHL. After spending 2016-17 as an assistant with the Rangers, he moved into scouting, and is currently scouting for the Rangers. Happy 56th Jeff.

Phillipe Cornet
Born: March 28, 1990 (turns 31 today) in Val-Senneville, QU.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 133rd overall, June 21, 2008.
Oilers Career: 2011-12: 2 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Not re-signed following 2012-13 season.

Cornet was a fifth round pick by the Oilers in 2008. An offensive winger out of the QMJHL. He played four years in the Oilers system, most of it in Oklahoma City. During the 2011-12 season with some injuries at forward, the Oilers gave him a two game look at the NHL level. He played with Gagner and Eberle and even got an assist on his second shift, but that would be it for his NHL experience. The Oilers cut him loose after the 12-13 season. He spent a couple of more years in the AHL before going to Europe where he continues his career to this day. He's currently playing in the DEL2 league in Germany. Happy 31st, Phillipe.

[Updated on: Wed, 20 April 2022 17:05]

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Re: March 28 [message #781312 is a reply to message #781248 ]	Mon, 29 March 2021 13:23

oilfan94
Messages: 343
Registered: June 2006
Location: USA

No Cups

benv wrote on Sun, 28 March 2021 13:34

Jeff Beukeboom
Born: March 28, 1965 (turns 56 today) in Ajax, ON.
Position: Defenseman (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 19th overall, June 8, 1983.
Oilers Career: 1985-86 to 1991-92: 284 games (29 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to NY Rangers for David Shaw, November 12, 1991.

Beukeboom was a rugged hard hitting defenseman who had a long NHL career with only two teams. He was a first round pick by the Oilers in 1983 (they didn't screw up ALL their picks back then), and made his Oiler debut in the playoffs in 1986. He slowly worked his way into a regular spot in the lineup, getting more and more ice time as the years went on. By the 1990-91 season he was an important part of the blue line and was feared for his hard hits (particularly in that first round series against Calgary). He started 91-92 with the Oilers, but they were forced to send him to the NY Rangers as the "future considerations" in the previous Messier trade. He played eight years in New York before concussion issues forced him to retire in 1999. Since retiring Beukeboom went into coaching, mostly as an assistant in the OHL and AHL. After spending 2016-17 as an assistant with the Rangers, he moved into scouting, and is currently scouting for the Rangers. Happy 56th Jeff.

I always wondered how the whole future considerations thing worked. It seemed like in most cases it was a way to just move a player for nothing, but in this case it actually turned into something (not a great trade for the Oilers on the back of a trade that already wasn't very good for them). I don't think it is allowed to be part of trades anymore, but does anyone here remember what the rules behind it were? If the Oilers had said no to the trade, could the Rangers have gone to the NHL and complained?

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Re: March 28 [message #781329 is a reply to message #781312 ]	Mon, 29 March 2021 15:14

Adam
Messages: 6803
Registered: August 2005
Location: Edmonton, AB

6 Cups

oilfan94 wrote on Mon, 29 March 2021 13:23

benv wrote on Sun, 28 March 2021 13:34

A lot of times, they just seemed to be code for nothing. I remember this one being such a weird one. The initial trade was October 4th - Messier for Nicholls, Rice and DeBrusk - and then just over a month later, this connected deal where we get fleeced. Beukeboom was a lot better than David Shaw, who didn't last very long as an Oiler - just 12 games over almost 3 months. We got Brian Glynn for Shaw, and I liked Glynn, but the whole episode was weird.

Pocklington apparently had some financial component in all those trades. He always got cash, so maybe that was part of it. Either that, or maybe they didn't know if Nicholls would report here and we only had to give up Beuk if he didn't? He wasn't very happy to come to Edmonton and while he was pretty good in that season and fantastic in the playoffs, he always wanted out. I think Pocklington got money back when we traded him too.

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March 29 [message #781281 is a reply to message #771063 ]	Mon, 29 March 2021 09:28

benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

Two recent and low impact factor defenseman celebrating their birthday today:

Adam Pardy
Born: March 29, 1984 (turns 37 today) in Bonavista, NF.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Claimed on waivers from Winnipeg, February 29, 2016.
Oilers Career: 2015-16: 9 games (0 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Nashville, December 1, 2016.

Our first Newfoundlander to make an appearance. Pardy was a stay at home defenseman who spent his career as an NHL depth defenseman or as ane AHL regular. After stints with Calgary, Dallas, Buffalo, and Winnipeg, the Oilers picked him up on waivers in 2016 in an attempt to add some depth to their own blueline. He played just nine games with Oilers and they didn't re-sign him after the season. He would be picked up by Nashville the next season, play one season in Sweden before finishing his career with his home province Newfoundland Growlers in the ECHL. He retired in 2019. Hope he has a good 37th today.

Keegan Lowe
Born: March 29, 1993 (turns 28 today) in Greenwich Connecticut.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, July 1, 2017
Oilers Career: 2017-18: 2 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Not re-signed following 19-20 season.

Lowe (as your are undoubtedly aware) is the son of long time Oiler godfather Kevin. He's been a career minor league defenseman. Prior to signing with the Oilers in 2017, he had been in the Carolina and Montreal organizations, only getting in two NHL games and spending the rest of his time in the AHL. The story didn't change much with the Oilers as he played three seasons in the organization all in Bakersfield with the exception of two "garbage time" games at the end of the 17-18 season (a cynic might say these were a gift from dad--just after his birthday too). He left the organization last year and is currently playing on an AHL contract with San Diego (Anaheim's farm team). Happy 28th to Keegan.

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March 30 [message #781499 is a reply to message #771063 ]	Tue, 30 March 2021 09:58

benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

Three players to add today; the last may still bring painful memories:

Pierre Jarry
Born: March 30, 1949 (turns 72 today) in Montreal, QU.
Position: Right Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: traded by Minnesota (NHL) (with Chris Ahrens) for future considerations, March 1978.
Oilers Career: 1977-78; 18 game (5 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Claimed by Indianapolis in intra league draft, June 1978.

Jarry was a regular NHL forward throughout the early and mid-70s. He played with the Rangers, Leafs, Red Wings, and North Stars from 1971 to 1978. The Oilers acquired his rights late in the 77-78 season (he had played most of the season with the NHL's North Stars), and he would play the rest of the season (18 games) plus the playoffs with the Oilers getting a respectable 14 points. The Oilers lost him to Indianapolis the following season, but he would retire without playing again in 1978. No info on his life since--happy birthday Pierre.

Adam Bennett
Born: March 30, 1971 (turns 50 today) in Georgetown, ON.
Position: Defenseman (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Chicago for Kevin Todd, October 7, 1993.
Oilers Career: 1993-94: 48 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Retired in 1996.

Bennett was a top prospect (6th overall pick in the 1989 NHL draft) offensive d-man out of the OHL who came up with the Blackhawks. After only a couple of years in their system, the Hawks seemingly gave up on him and dealt him to Edmonton. He spent most of the 93-94 season in Edmonton (brief stint in Cape Breton) playing 48 games and being in their defense rotation. After this moderate success, though his career was basically over; he played 10 games in Cape Breton in 94-95, 5 more in the IHL in 95-96 when a knee injury forced him to retire at 25. Since retirement he has worked as an assistant coach in the OHL as and is currently the GM and head coach of the Clearwater Prep Hockey Academy in Florida. Happy 50th Adam.

Ty Conklin
Born: March 30, 1976 (turns 45 today) in Phoenix, Arizona.
Position: Goalie (catches left)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, April 16, 2001.
Oilers Career: 2001-02 to 2005-06: 60 games (1 playoff game)
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Columbus, July 6, 2006.

Conklin has the unusual background of being Phoenix born and Alaska raised. He was an undrafted goalie out of US college hockey. When he was 25, the Oilers signed him and he immediately was given a few games in the big leagues. They sent him to Hamilton early in 01-02, and he would not see the NHL again until 03-04 when he earned the backup role to Tommy Salo. Salo was past his prime and Conklin actually managed to outplay him for part of the season, causing the Oilers to trade Salo. In 05-06 (after the lockout) Conklin spent the year battling with Jussi Markkanen to be the Oilers no. 1, with both losing and being replaced by Dwayne Roloson. After the acquisition of Roloson, Conklin would never play for the Oilers again--except for 6 fateful minutes in game 1 of the 2006 Stanley Cup Final. I won't say more about that painful memory (you all know it) except that Conklin's legacy as an Oiler will always be spotlighted by that moment. Conklin spent the next six years bouncing around the NHL and getting solid work as a backup for many teams: Columbus, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Detroit, and St. Louis. Ironically he was Pittsburgh's backup when they lost to Detroit in the 2008 final and was Detroit's backup when they lost to Pittsburgh in 2009. Conklin retired in 2012. Since then he has worked as a goaltending development coach with St. Louis. A happy 45th to him today.

Edit March 31--added Pierre Jarry.

[Updated on: Thu, 01 April 2021 02:03]

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Re: March 30 [message #781547 is a reply to message #781499 ]	Tue, 30 March 2021 15:55

OilPeg
Messages: 70
Registered: December 2010
Location: Winnipeg

No Cups

benv wrote on Tue, 30 March 2021 10:58

Ty Conklin
Born: March 30, 1976 (turns 45 today) in Phoenix, Arizona.
Position: Goalie (catches left)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, April 16, 2001.
Oilers Career: 2001-02 to 2005-06: 60 games (1 playoff game)
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Columbus, July 6, 2006.

Conklin has the unusual background of being Phoenix born and Alaska raised. He was an undrafted goalie out of US college hockey. When he was 25, the Oilers signed him and he immediately was given a few games in the big leagues. They sent him to Hamilton early in 01-02, and he would not see the NHL again until 03-04 when he earned the backup role to Tommy Salo. Salo was past his prime and Conklin actually managed to outplay him for part of the season, causing the Oilers to trade Salo. In 05-06 (after the lockout) Conklin spent the year battling with Jussi Markkanen to be the Oilers no. 1, with both losing and being replaced by Dwayne Roloson. After the acquisition of Roloson, Conklin would never play for the Oilers again--except for 6 fateful minutes in game 1 of the 2006 Stanley Cup Final. I won't say more about that painful memory (you all know it) except that Conklin's legacy as an Oiler will always be spotlighted by that moment. Conklin spent the next six years bouncing around the NHL and getting solid work as a backup for many teams: Columbus, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Detroit, and St. Louis. Ironically he was Pittsburgh's backup when they lost to Detroit in the 2008 final and was Detroit's backup when they lost to Pittsburgh in 2009. Conklin retired in 2012. Since then he has worked as a goaltending development coach with St. Louis. A happy 45th to him today.

Wasn't it Conklin that got pulled after overtime so they could put a cold Mike Morrison in for the shootout? I remember him slamming his helmet on the the ground while on the bench.

Plus, this little bit of amazingness.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7nn8Y1j1d8

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 30 [message #781677 is a reply to message #781547 ]	Wed, 31 March 2021 09:58

benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

OilPeg wrote on Tue, 30 March 2021 15:55

Yes, those were definitely both Conklin. I'd forgotten that Conklin was involved in the big Atlanta brawl. Thanks for the reminder--now maybe I can have a better memory of him than just game 1.

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March 31 [message #781680 is a reply to message #771063 ]	Wed, 31 March 2021 10:06

benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

Well the Oilers finished off March with a huge thud--let's see if we can do any better in this thread:

Bill Hicke
Born: March 31, 1938 in Regina, SK.
Position: Right Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, September 1972.
Oilers Career: 1972-73: 73 games (1 playoff game).
Left Oilers: Retired in 1973.
Died: July 18, 2005 (age 67) in Regina, SK of cancer.

Hicke was a scoring forward who came into the NHL in 1959 with Montreal. He had his best years early in his career with the Habs from 1961 to 1963--he was never a top player but managed to stay in the NHL (which was tougher when there were only six teams). He was dealt to the Rangers in 1965, and then selected by Oakland in the 1967 expansion draft. After four years with the Seals and a brief stint in Pittsburgh in 71-72, he decided to sign in the brand new WHA with the Alberta Oilers. He played the full season with the team and then decide to retire prior to the following season in 1973. Upon retirement he retreated to his hometown of Regina and was involved with his WHL alumni team the Pats. He coached, managed and owned the team at various times over his lifetime. Hicke died of cancer in July 2005 at the age of 67. RIP Bill.

Mike Watt
Born: March 31, 1976 (turns 45 today) in Seaforth ON.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 32nd overall, June 28, 1994.
Oilers Career: 1997-98: 14 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to NY Islanders for Eric Fichaud, June 18, 1998.

Watt was a scoring winger and 2nd round pick by the Oilers who went the US college route after being drafted. After three years in Michigan State, he joined the Oilers organization for the 97-98 season. He played 63 games in Hamilton and 14 more in Edmonton. Following the season the Oilers were looking for a goalie to replace Curtis Joseph, so Watt was dealt to the Islanders for Eric Fichaud (who would actually never play in Edmonton). Watt continued his career on the Island, playing the entire 98-99 season in the NHL. He had trouble sticking in the bigs after that, and the next four years (through stops in Nashville, Philadelphia, and Carolina) would see him mostly in the AHL, with some brief NHL time. He went to play in Russia in 2003, returned to North America in 2006, but could only find minor league work until he retired in 2008. Since retiring he's found work as a coach and scout in US high school hockey, the USHL, and NAHL. The last I can find is that he was the GM/head coach of Central Illinois Flying Aces in the USHL in 2019. Happy 45th Mike.

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March summary and Pierre Jarry [message #781706 is a reply to message #771063 ]	Wed, 31 March 2021 17:53

benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

And here's the summary after March (which probably only I care about):

We had 71 players born in March. Expected number is 701*31/365.25 = 59.5. So we are above expectation, but not as much as January:

January: 36% above expectation
February: 2% below expectation
March: 19 % above expectation.

So maybe February was an aberration and my theory of less players as we go will hold true.

Here's also the lefty/righty update:

Goalies: 21 catch left; 2 catch right
Defense: 51 shoot left; 19 shoot right
Forwards: 82 shoot left; 30 shoot right

Finally, I just realized that I forgot to include Pierre Jarry on Tuesday, so with apologies to him, I'll put his entry here as well as paste it into the original March 30 post:

Pierre Jarry
Born: March 30, 1949 (turned 72 yesterday) in Montreal, QU.
Position: Right Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: traded by Minnesota (NHL) (with Chris Ahrens) for future considerations, March 1978.
Oilers Career: 1977-78; 18 game (5 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Claimed by Indianapolis in intra league draft, June 1978.

Jarry was a regular NHL forward throughout the early and mid-70s. He played with the Rangers, Leafs, Red Wings, and North Stars from 1971 to 1978. The Oilers acquired his rights late in the 77-78 season (he had played most of the season with the NHL's North Stars), and he would play the rest of the season (18 games) plus the playoffs with the Oilers getting a respectable 14 points. The Oilers lost him to Indianapolis the following season, but he would retire without playing again in 1978. No info on his life since--happy belated birthday Pierre.

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April 1 [message #781731 is a reply to message #771063 ]	Thu, 01 April 2021 10:18

benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

No joke: two Finnish Oiler alumni were born on April Fool's day:

Reijo Ruotsalainen
Born: April 1, 1960 (turns 61 today) in Oulu, Finland.
Position: Defenseman (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by NY Rangers (with Clark Donatelli, Vile Kentala, and Jime Wiemer) for Mike Golden, Miroslav Horava, Don Jackson, and future considerations, October 2, 1986.
Oilers Career: 1986-87; 1989-90: 26 games (43 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Claimed on waivers by New Jersey, October 5, 1987.
Reacquired by Oilers: Traded by New Jersey for Jeff Sharples, March 6, 1990.
Left Oilers for good: Left to play in Switzerland in 1990.

Ruotsalainen was a gifted offensive d-man who had two short stints with the Oilers, each resulting in him lifting the cup. He came to the NHL with the Rangers in 1981 and was an instant success, racking up points from the blueline. After four seasons in New York he left to play in Switzerland and the Rangers included his NHL rights in a multi-player trade with the Oilers. Edmonton convinced him to return to the NHL late in the 86-87 season, and he solidified an already great team as the Oilers went on to win the cup. He decided to play in Sweden in 87-88 and the Oilers let the Devils claim him on waivers. He returned to the NHL with New Jersey for the 89-90 season, and the Oilers again acquired him late in the season to get a boost of offense on the blue line--it worked like a charm again as they again won the Stanley Cup. In total he played only 26 regular season games with the Oilers, but 43 playoff games. Ruotsalainen returned to Europe and finished his career there playing in Switzerland and Finland until he retired in 1998. Since retirement, Ruotsalainen has been an assistant and head coach in the ECHL, Finnish and Swiss leagues. The latest I can find is that he was the head coach of Kiekko Vantaa in his native Finland in 2019. A happy 61st to him today.

Jussi Jokinen
Born: April 1, 1983 (turns 38 today) in Kalajoki, Finland.
Position: Center/left wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, July 7, 2017.
Oilers Career: 2017-18: 14 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Los Angeles for Mike Cammalleri, November 14, 2017.

Jokinen had a long NHL career where he was widely known as a shootout specialist. After a few years playing in Finland, Jokinen came to the NHL with Dallas in 2005-06 (right when shootouts were introduced). He spent the next decade bouncing around the NHL from Dallas to Tampa Bay to Carolina to Pittsburgh to Florida and finally in 2017 to Edmonton when the Oilers were trying to boost their veteran presence in their offense. Jokinen's stint in Edmonton was not a success, as he would only play 14 games (with just one assist) before they flipped him to the Kings. He played with 4 NHL teams in 17-18 and then returned to Finland where he is currently playing for Oulun Karpat. A happy 38th to Jussi.

Edit: added Warren Feogele on December 30, 2021.

Warren Foegele
Born: April 1, 1996 (turned 25 this year) in Markham, ON.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Carolina for Ethan Bear, July 28, 2021.
Oilers Career: 2021-22 to present; 30 games and counting (0 playoff games).

Foegele was a 3rd rounder by Carolina in 2014, coming out of St. Andrew's College. He turned pro in 2017 and after a full season in the AHL made his NHL debut in 2018. He spent three full seasons in Carolina, his best being 19-20 when he got 30 points in 63 games. The Oilers gave up Ethan Bear for him last July and he has since been a mainstay on the team playing all 30 games so far, and getting 11 points. His play has been better of late as he has been playing on the top line with McDavid; it will remain to be seen what he may yet contribute to the team.

[Updated on: Thu, 30 December 2021 10:36]

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April 3 [message #781841 is a reply to message #771063 ]	Sat, 03 April 2021 11:09

benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

We had no birthdays yesterday and only one today:

Brent Gilchrist
Born: April 3, 1967 (turns 54 today) in Moose Jaw, SK.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Montreal (with Shayne Corson and Vladimir Vujtek) for Vincent Damphousse and 4th round pick, August 27, 1992.
Oilers Career: 1992-93: 60 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Minnesota for Todd Elik, March 5, 1993.

Gilchrist was a winger coming off his best NHL season in 91-92 when he was a part of a package that came to the Oilers for Vincent Damphousse. During 92-93 he played every game with the Oilers, but his production was down and they decided to deal him late in the season for Todd Elik, limiting his Oiler time to less than a full season. He played another decade in the league with Minnesota, Dallas, Detroit, and Nashville before he retired in 2003. Since retirement he's settled in Kelowna with his wife and kids. A happy 54th to him.

[Updated on: Sat, 03 April 2021 23:07]

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April 4 [message #781871 is a reply to message #771063 ]	Sun, 04 April 2021 11:42

benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

Two short term defenseman to talk about on this Easter Sunday:

Doug Lynch
Born: April 4, 1983 (turns 38 today) in North Vancouver, BC.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 43rd overall, June 23, 2001.
Oilers Career: 2003-04: 2 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to St. Louis (with Eric Brewer and Jeff Woywitka) for Chris Pronger, August 2, 2005.

Lynch was a 2nd round pick by the Oilers in 2001. A physical defenseman who played for Red Deer in the WHL, he turned pro in 2003 and spent two seasons in the organization, getting in two games for the Oilers during the 03-04 season and the rest with the Toronto Road Runners. After spending the 04-05 lockout season with the Edmonton Roadrunners, he was packaged off to St. Louis in the Pronger trade. He would never play in the NHL again, spending the next three years in St. Louis' minor league system before going to Austria and finishing his career there before retiring in 2014. Since retiring, he's founded his own consulting company called appropriately enough "Doug Lynch Hockey" in Vancouver. A Happy 38th to him today.

Cam Barker
Born: April 4, 1986 (turns 35 today) in Winnipeg, MB.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, July 1, 2011.
Oilers Career: 2011-12: 25 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Vancouver, January 13, 2013.

Barker was the 3rd overall pick in the 2004 draft (after Ovechkin and Malkin) by the Black Hawks. He was a point producing machine from the backend in the WHL, but he never managed to quite translate that at the pro level. He struggled to make the Hawks early in his career, but eventually became a regular, and put up 40 points in 08-09. His offense soon seemed to be completely dried out, and after being traded to the Wild, the Oilers were able to sign him as a UFA in 2011. He played one season in Edmonton, but only dressed 25 times (being injured or scratched for the rest) and got just 2 goals (one of them was during Gagner's 8 point game) and 0 assists. The Oilers let him go following the season and after a season with the Canucks organization, he continued his career in the KHL starting in 13-14. He eventually went to different European leagues and is currently playing in France for Rouen. Happy 35th Cam.

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April 5 [message #781900 is a reply to message #771063 ]	Mon, 05 April 2021 10:20

benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

You'll have to really get out the way-back machine to recall today's two alumni:

Butch Deadmarsh
Born: April 5, 1950 (turns 71 today) in Trail, BC.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, May 31, 1977
Oilers Career: 1977-78: 20 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Cincinnati for Del Hall, December 17, 1977.

Deadmarsh was a rugged winger, drafted in the 2nd round. He spent his first five years of pro hockey in the NHL with Buffalo, Atlanta, and Kansas City getting only 17 points in 137 games. In 1975 he went over to the WHA where he would play three and a half seasons with five different teams. His Oiler stint was brief: he played twenty games for the team to start the 77-78 season before the Oilers dealt him to Cincinatti early in the season. He finished the season with the Stingers and retired in 1978. After retiring he established a printing business in Alberta and an orchard in the Okanagan. A happy 71st to him today.

Roy Sommer
Born: April 5, 1957 (turns 64 today) in Oakland, California.
Position: Centre (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, January 1, 1980.
Oilers Career: 1980-81: 3 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by New Jersey, September 25, 1982.

Sommer was a career minor league forward. Despite being from Oakland, he played his junior hockey in Edmonton and Calgary, before being a late round draft choice of the Leafs. The Oilers signed him in 1980 and he spent three years in the Oilers' minor system with Houston and Wichita. He managed one call up during the 80-81 season when he played 3 games for the Oilers--the only NHL games of his career. He plugged away in the minors until 1987 when he decided to retire. Sommer immediately got into coaching, starting as an assistant and quickly becoming an AHL head coach. After a two year stint as an assistant in the NHL with the Sharks, he was named head coach of their AHL affiliate, and has held the position for over 20 years (since 1998)--he holds the record for most AHL wins as a head coach and longest tenure with one organization. Happy 64th Ray.

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April 6 [message #782009 is a reply to message #771063 ]	Tue, 06 April 2021 10:01

benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

Just one alumnus whose a year older today:

Tyler Wright
Born: April 6, 1973 (turns 48 today) in Canora, SK.
Position: Centre (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 12th overall, June 22, 1991.
Oilers Career: 1992-93 to 1995-96: 41 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Pittsburgh for 7th round pick, June 22, 1996.

A high scoring centre out of Swift Current, Wright was a first round pick by the Oilers in 1991. He played in the organization for four years, playing a total of 41 games with Edmonton and another 166 with Cape Breton. His offense just never came with the Oilers (only 4 points in those 41 games) and the Oilers finally bailed on him in 1996, dealing him to Pittsburgh for scraps. After leaving, he seemed to get on track spending most of the rest of his career in the NHL; four years in Pittsburgh, five in Columbus, and another in Anaheim. He played one season (06-07) in Switzerland before retiring. After retirement, Wright was hired by the Blue Jackets as a development coach. In 2013 he was hired by the Red Wings to be their director of amateur scouting, and then followed Ken Holland to Edmonton coming full circle. He's currently the Oilers' director of amateur scouting. Happy 48th Tyler.

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Re: April 6 [message #782012 is a reply to message #782009 ]	Tue, 06 April 2021 10:33

Adam
Messages: 6803
Registered: August 2005
Location: Edmonton, AB

6 Cups

benv wrote on Tue, 06 April 2021 10:01

Always interesting to look at old drafts and wonder how teams ended up making the choices they did. Wright was a passable NHLer - he played 600+ NHL games in the end, but he was never more than a third liner at best. He was picked at 12, while Alexei Kovalev was #15, and Markus Naslund was #16. To be fair to the Oilers, Kovalev played in the Russian mens league that year for Moscow Dynamo and scored 1-2-3 in 18 games. Scouts probably didn't get a lot of looks at him and his stats didn't jump off the page. Naslund was in Modo in Sweden, and put up 19 points in 32 games. Wright had 92 points in WHL 66 games so he had a solid trajectory - but he plateaued there. Can't actually blame the Oilers for that pick - it was understandable but you do wonder what if...

Some of the other picks are more baffling. Alek Stojanov was a right winger picked 7th overall after an OHL season that saw him score 25-20-45 in 62 games. As far as I can tell, the selling feature for the Canucks was his size (6'4, 232 lbs). The Penguins were similarly snookered by that player five years later, trading Naslund (who was coming off a 52 pt in 66 game NHL season) for Stojanov who'd just completed a rookie season that saw him play 58 games and score 0-1-1). The deal was one-for-one, and makes even Chiarelli's trades look good in comparison.

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April 7 [message #782107 is a reply to message #771063 ]	Wed, 07 April 2021 10:09

benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

Today's alumnus is from the "Boys on the Bus" days, but probably not one of the ones you remember too well:

Steve Graves
Born: April 7, 1964 (turns 57 today) in Trenton, ON.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 41st overall, June 9, 1982.
Oilers Career: 1983-84 to 1987-88: 35 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Left to play in Finland in 1988.

Graves was a winger out of the OHL, drafted by the Oilers in the 2nd round in 1982. He played two games with the Oilers in 83-84 while still in the OHL (emergency call up?). He spent the next four years with the organization playing 228 games with Nova Scotia and 33 more with Edmonton, but never could crack the deep Oiler forward lineup on a full time basis. After the 87-88 season he left to play in Finland. He spent the rest of his career in Europe, the Canadian National Team (where he actually seemed to have a scoring touch) and the AHL before he retired in 1993. Since retiring he has settled in Sault Ste. Maire with his family (he is the father of Canadian actress/singer/Youtube blogger Keara Graves) and works in finance. A happy 57th to him today.

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April 8 [message #782261 is a reply to message #771063 ]	Thu, 08 April 2021 09:51

benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

We seem to be going one at a time lately. Here is today's sole Oiler alumnus:

Marco Baron
Born: April 8, 1959 (turns 62 today) in Montreal, QU.
Position: Goalie (catches left)
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, February 21, 1985.
Oilers Career: 1984-85: 1 game (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Left to play in Switzerland in 1985.

Baron was a goalie who toiled mostly in the AHL in the early 80s, first in the Bruins' organization and then with the Kings. He did manage 85 NHL games over that time--he played 44 games for the Bruins in 81-82 and 21 with the Kings in 83-84. Late in the 84-85 season, the Oilers acquired him for some additional goalie depth, but with Fuhr and Moog in the house, he was never going to get much playing time in Edmonton. He played primarily in Nova Scotia, but got into one game with the Oilers. He went to Switzerland after the season and played one season there before retiring in 1986. Baron remained in Switzerland after retiring, even making a comeback in some lower Swiss leagues in the mid 90s for a couple of seasons. He's also worked as a goaltending coach in Switzerland. A happy 62nd to him today.

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Re: April 8 [message #782262 is a reply to message #782261 ]	Thu, 08 April 2021 10:23

Adam
Messages: 6803
Registered: August 2005
Location: Edmonton, AB

6 Cups

benv wrote on Thu, 08 April 2021 09:51

I was curious about his one appearance:

https://www.statmuse.com/nhl/game/3-1-1985-lak-@-edm-22301

He came in in relief of Andy Moog who'd had a tough start with 3 goals against on 18 shots in the first 27 minutes. The move seemed to work, and the Oilers rallied to tie the game 4-4, only to have Baron allow a late third period goal against to end both his Oilers and NHL career with a loss to the Kings.

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April 9 [message #782383 is a reply to message #771063 ]	Fri, 09 April 2021 09:57

benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

You say it's your birthday? It's my birthday too. It's also the birthday of two ex-Oiler defensemen:

Drew Bannister
Born: April 9, 1974 (turns 47 today) in Belleville, ON.
Position: Defenseman (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Tampa Bay (with 6th round pick) for Jeff Norton, March 18, 1997.
Oilers Career: 1996-97 to 1997-98: 35 games (12 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Anaheim for Bobby Dollas, January 9, 1998.

Bannister was a defenseman who came up in the Tampa Bay organization. By 1996 he had graduated as a full time NHL defenseman and the Oiler traded for him at the 1997 deadline. Injuries limited him to only 1 game with the Oilers the rest of the regular season, but he got into all 12 playoff games in 1997 (I distinctly remember him being the first player to jump into Buchberger's arms after the famous overtime goal in game 3 vs Dallas--I must have watched the highlights from that game a hundred times). He played an additional 34 games with the team in 97-98, but was dealt to Anaheim half way through the year (for Bobby Dollas--a more veteran d-man). Over the next several years he bounced between a few NHL organizations, playing more in the AHL than the NHL. He went to Europe in 2002 and played the rest of his career in Finland, Germany, and England (minus 09-10 which he played in the AHL) before retiring in 2012. He immediately got into coaching, starting in Britain and eventually moving into the OHL and AHL. He is currently the associate head coach of the AHL's Utica Comets (Vancouver's farm team). Happy 47th Drew.

David Musil
Born: April 9, 1993 (turns 28 today) in Calgary, AB.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 31st overall, June 25, 2011.
Oilers Career: 2014-15: 4 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Went to play in Czech Republic in 2017.

Musil was the son of ex-Oiler and then current Oiler scout Frank Musil when the Oilers selected him in the 2nd round of the 2011 draft. He turned pro in 2013 and spent four years in the Oilers' minor league system (Oklahoma City and Bakersfield). He managed to play in four NHL games at the end of the 14-15 season, but he was never able to stand out enough, even at the AHL level. The Oilers cut him loose in 2017 and he went to his dad's native Czech Republic where he is currently in his fourth season with Ocelan Tinec. Happy 28th David.

Well Drew and David, I would invite you out for a big birthday bash with me--but there's a pandemic going on, we don't live in the same city, we don't know each other, and I'm kind of anti-social. But enjoy your day, wherever you are.

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Re: The 2021 Edmonton Oilers' Birthday thread [message #782442 is a reply to message #771063 ]	Sat, 10 April 2021 10:04

benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

Three players today:

John Rogers
Born: April 10, 1953 (turns 68 today) in Paradise Hill, SK.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 6th overall, June 1973.
Oilers Career: 1975-76: 44 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Retired in 1976.

Very little info on Rogers. He was a three year Edmonton Oil King that racked up quite a few points in junior. Drafted high in both the NHL (by Minnesota--25th overall) and the WHA (6th overall by the Oilers), he initially chose Minnesota. After a couple of years playing mostly in the AHL (14 games with the North Stars) he switched to the WHA and signed with the Oilers for the 75-76 season. After getting 17 points in 44 games, he retired after the season. No other information on him--hope he's dong fine and happy 68th today.

Donald Dufresne
Born: April 10, 1967 (turns 54 today) in Quebec City, QU.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by St. Louis (with Jeff Norton) for Igor Kravchuk and Ken Sutton, January 4, 1996.
Oilers Career: 1995-96 to 1996-97: 64 games (3 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Retired in 1997.

Dufresne was a long time NHL bubble defenseman, bouncing up and down between the NHL and AHL over his career. After stints in Montreal, Los Angeles, Tampa Bay, and St. Louis, the Oilers acquired him in a four player swap with the Blues in 1996. For the remainder of 95-96 he was a regular d-man with the Oilers, but the following year he only got in 22 games, often being scratched. The Oilers didn't re-sign him after the 96-97 season, and after a short stint in the IHL he chose to retire in 1997. Since then he's been an assistant coach in the QMJHL and AHL continuously (23 years and counting). He has spent the most time in Rimouski, and he continues his coaching there today. A happy 54th to Donald.

Alexei Semenov
Born: April 10, 1981 (turns 40 today) in Murmansk, USSR.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 36th overall, June 26, 1999.
Oilers Career: 2002-03 to 2005-06: 103 games (6 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Florida for 5th round pick, November 19, 2005.

Semenov was a huge (6'6") d-man out of Russia that the Oilers had high hopes for. In his second year with the organization (after a year with Hamilton) he quickly graduated from Hamilton to join the Oilers, playing 92 games over the next two years. Following the 04-05 lockout, he suddenly found himself struggling to stay in the lineup, and the Oilers bailed on him early in the season dealing him to Florida for a late round pick. He spent the next three years in the Panthers and Sharks' organizations trying to make an impact. He gave up on the NHL dream in 2009 and headed home to play in the KHL, which he has been doing for twelve years now. He's currently playing for the Ufa team. Happy 40th to him.

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April 11 [message #782538 is a reply to message #771063 ]	Sun, 11 April 2021 10:58

benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

After last night's colossal failure, we get two Oiler first round picks today that also failed to live up to their potential:

Selmar Odelein
Born: April 11, 1966 (turns 55 today) in Quill Lake, SK.
Position: Defenseman (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 21st overall, June 9, 1984.
Oilers Career: 1985-86 to 1988-89: 18 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Left for Canadian National Team in 1989.

Odelein was a high scoring d-man out of the WHL, and was the Oilers' first round pick in 1984. He spent four years in the Oilers' organization, but spent most of it in Nova Scotia. He got in 18 games with the Oilers over that time, but he would never play with any other NHL team. After a year with the Canadian National team, he went to Austria in 1990 and spent two years there, followed by another two years in Britain before injury forced him to retire in 1994. No info on him after that--happy 55th Selmar.

Michel Riesen
Born: April 11, 1979 (turns 42 today) in Oberbalm, Switzerland.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 14th overall, June 21, 1997.
Oilers Career: 2000-01: 12 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to St. Louis (with Doug Weight) for Jochen Hecht, Jan Horacek, and Marty Reasoner, July 1, 2001.

Riesen was another first round pick by the Oilers (at 14th overall, the highest ever for a Swiss born player at the time--obviously broken since then). He came over in 1998 and played three years with the Oilers farm team in Hamilton. He managed twelve games in Edmonton in 2000-01, but he never impressed enough to stick (Glen Sather once unkindly referred to him as "the Swiss Miss"). They included him when they traded Weight to St. Louis, but rather than report to the Blues, he would instead return to Switzerland and play out his career in his home country. He played thirteen seasons there before hanging up the blades in 2014. After retirement, Riesen has worked as a skills coach for the Swiss junior team, a job he continues to this day. Happy 42nd Michel.

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April 12 [message #782647 is a reply to message #771063 ]	Mon, 12 April 2021 09:54

benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

Busy day for Oiler birthdays with six players today, including two first overall picks:

Tomas Jonsson
Born: April 12, 1960 (turns 61 today) in Falun, Sweden.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by NY Islanders for 5th round pick, February 15, 1989.
Oilers Career: 1988-89: 20 games (4 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Left to play in Sweden in 1989.

Jonsson was a skilled Swedish defenseman who came over to North America to play with the Islanders in 1981. He spent nearly eight years on the Island, contributing to their last two cups. Late in the 88-89 season the Oilers got him for a late draft pick to shore up their defense. He finished the season with the Oilers, and then decided to return to Sweden. He played ten more years in his home country before retiring in 1999. Since then he has held many coaching, scouting, and managing jobs in with various teams in Sweden and Denmark. He currently manages the Falun IF team. A happy 61st to him.

Adam Graves
Born: April 12, 1968 (turns 53 today) in Toronto, ON.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Detroit (with Petr Klima, Joe Murphy, and Jeff Sharples) for Jimmy Carson, Kevin McClelland and 5th round pick, November 2, 1989.
Oilers Career: 1989-90 to 1990-91: 139 games (40 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by NY Rangers, September 3, 1991.

Graves' was a 2nd round pick, just getting his career going with the Wings when he was included in a big Wings/Oilers deal. He immediately fit in with the Oilers on their makeshift "kid line" with Joe Murphy and Martin Gelinas, playing two seasons in a superb supporting third line role, contributing to the Oilers' 1990 cup run. He became an RFA in 1991 and decided to sign with the Rangers. His career really took off once in New York. He spent ten years with the Rangers (having a 50 goal season) and two more with the Sharks before retiring in 2003. After retiring he became a youth hockey instructor with the Rangers. A happy 53rd to him.

Kent Manderville
Born: April 12, 1971 (turns 50 today) in Edmonton, AB.
Position: Centre (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Toronto for Peter White and 4th round pick, December 4, 1995.
Oilers Career: 1995-96: 37 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Claimed on waivers by Hartford, October 2, 1996.

Manderville was an Edmonton born depth centre that had a decent NHL career that included a brief early stop with the Oilers. After a few years in Toronto the Oilers acquired him and he spent a half season with them as a depth centre. He was claimed on waivers by Hartford the following season. His NHL career continued through Carolina, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. In 2003 he went to Sweden to finish his career before retiring in 2007. He's been busy since, getting a science degree at Cornell and working as a hockey analyst in Ottawa. He is currently director of the Hockey Family Office. Happy 50th Kent.

Roman Hamrlik
Born: April 12, 1974 (turns 47 today) in Gottwaldov, Czechoslovakia
Position: Defenseman (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Tampa Bay (with Paul Comrie) for Jason Bonsignore, Steve Kelly, and Bryan Marchment,j December 30, 1997.
Oilers Career: 1997-98 to 1999-2000: 196 games (20 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to NY Islanders for Eric Brewer, Josh Green and 2nd round pick, June 24, 2000.

Hamrlik was a first overall pick (and first ever pick) by the expansion Lightning in 1992. Although perhaps never living up to first overall status, he nevertheless had a long NHL career as a top pairing defenseman. After five and a half seasons in Tampa Bay, the Oilers managed to get Hamrlik for an aging Bryan Marchment plus two of their failed first round picks--a steal of a trade. Hamrlik had two and a half seasons as one of Edmonton's top blueliners. At the 2000 draft they dealt him to the Islanders for a package in a cost cutting measure (as was their wont at the time). He continued his NHL career another 13 years with further stops in Calgary, Montreal, Washington, and the Rangers before he retired in 2013. He has since settled in Montreal with his family, living a quiet life and contributing to hockey clinics in Quebec. A happy 47th to him today.

Magnus Paajarvi
Born: April 12, 1991 (turns 30 today) in Norrkoping, Sweden.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 10th overall, June 26, 2009.
Oilers Career: 2010-11 to 2012-13: 163 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to St. Louis (with 2nd and 4th round picks) for David Perron and 3rd round pick, July 10, 2013.

Paajarvi was a much hyped player coming into the Oilers in 2010, along with Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle. After scoring a hat trick in his first ever pre-season game, the hype went through the roof. While he couldn't live up to that first game, he had a decent first season with the Oilers (34 points in 80 games), but struggled mightily in his second season, being demoted to Oklahoma City for half the year. After the lockout shortened 12-13 season, the Oilers traded him to the Blues for a more seasoned player in David Perron. He continued his career over the next six years playing for both the Blues and Senators in third and fourth line roles; never quite living up to his initial hype. In 2019 he left to play in the KHL and continues his career there today. Happy 30th Magnus.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Born: April 12, 1993 (turns 28 today) in Burnaby, BC.
Position: Centre/Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 1st overall, June 24, 2011.
Oilers Career: 2011-12 to present: 644 games and counting (17 playoff games).

I probably don't need to say much about Nugent-Hopkins. Since being drafted first overall by the team nearly a decade ago, he's been a steady presence on their first or second line, usually at centre, but also at left wing. He's the longest current serving Oiler, having been with the team through the latter half of the decade of darkness, through seven coaches, five GMs and scores of players who have left before him. With his best season being only 69 points, one could argue he hasn't quite lived up to the promise of an offensive first overall pick, but he remains the most important Oiler forward after McDavid and Draisaitl on the current team. Let's wish him a happy 28th birthday and a speedy recovery from his recent injury.

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April 13 [message #782806 is a reply to message #771063 ]	Tue, 13 April 2021 10:12

benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

Two players and one late coach were born on this day:

John Muckler
Born: April 13, 1934 in Midland, ON.
Oilers Coaching Career: 1989-90 to 1990-91: 160 games (40 playoff games).
Died: January 4, 2021 (age 86) in Buffalo, New York of unknown causes.

Muckler was a minor league defenseman who played most of his career (1952 to 1963) in the Eastern Hockey League (never made the NHL as a player). He had already worked as a player coach starting in 1959 with the EHL New York Rovers and continued in this capacity after his retirement from playing. In 1968, he was hired by the Minnesota North Stars as their head coach. He didn't even last the season, being fired after only 35 games. He spent the next 13 years coaching the AHL and CHL before being hired by Glen Sather as an assistant coach for the Oilers in 1982 (he had coached the Oilers AHL affiliate in Wichita during the 81-82 season). After seven years (and four Stanley Cups) Sather allowed Muckler to take over as head coach in 1989. His 21 years between NHL head coaching gigs is an NHL record. He spent only two years as Oiler head coach, winning the cup in 1990, before deciding to take a job with the Sabres as their director of hockey operations. He spent the next sixteen years with the Sabres, Rangers, and Senators as a head coach, general manager or both. After a year as a senior advisor in Phoenix he stepped away from hockey to enjoy his retirement. He passed away earlier this year of unknown causes (although Covid was likely a factor) at the age of 86. RIP John.

Mariusz Czerkawski
Born: April 13, 1972 (turns 49 today) in Radomsko, Poland.
Position: Right Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Boston (with Sean Brown and 1st round pick) for Bill Ranford, January 11, 1996.
Oilers Career: 1995-96 to 1996-97: 113 games (12 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to NY Islanders for Dan Lacouture, August 25, 1997.

Czerkawski ("the Polish Prince") was the first Polish born and trained player in the NHL and the only ever Polish born player in Oiler history. He broke into the NHL with Boston in 1994 and was part of a package traded to the Oilers for Bill Ranford in 1996 (he was married to the Bond girl of the time, Izabella Scorupco, but I'm not sure she ever came to Edmonton). In his season and a half with the Oilers, he played 113 games and got 76 points. They dealt him to the Islanders in the 1997 offseason, and he would go on to have his best years in New York. After brief stints with Toronto, Montreal, and Boston (again) he returned to Europe in 2006 and played two season in Switzerland before retiring in 2008. Since then, he's done some managing in Poland, but not much other info on what he's up to. Hope he's good and a happy 49th to him.

Lennart Petrell
Born: April 13, 1984 (turns 37 today) in Helsinki, Finland.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, June 15, 2011.
Oilers Career: 2011-12 to 2012-13: 95 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Went to play in Switzerland in 2013.

Petrell had played many years in Finish elite league when he came over to North America at the age of 27 to try his hand with the Oilers in 2011. He played two seasons with the team mostly in a fourth line, extra forward role, before deciding to return to Europe in 2013. His continues to this day, and he's currently in his fifth season with HIFK in the Finnish Liga. Happy 37th to Lennart today.

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Re: April 13 [message #782807 is a reply to message #782806 ]	Tue, 13 April 2021 10:17

Adam
Messages: 6803
Registered: August 2005
Location: Edmonton, AB

6 Cups

benv wrote on Tue, 13 April 2021 10:12

Czerkawski ... was married to the Bond girl of the time, Izabella Scorupco, but I'm not sure she ever came to Edmonton.

She absolutely came to Edmonton. I ran in to her in Edmonton Centre once. She was a good-looking girl on screen, but she was ridiculously jaw-droppingly gorgeous in person. One of the most attractive women I've seen in person in my entire life.

Unfortunately for Mariusz, I think that that marriage eventually broke up.

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April 14 [message #782867 is a reply to message #771063 ]	Wed, 14 April 2021 09:37

benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

Just the single alumnus today--if you're an Oiler fan over the age of ten, you probably remember him:

Eric Gryba
Born: April 14, 1988 (turns 33 today) in Saskatoon, SK.
Position: Defenseman (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Ottawa for Travis Ewanyk and 4th round pick, June 27, 2015.
Oilers Career: 2015-16 to 2017-18: 114 games (3 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by New Jersey, July 1, 2018.

Gryba was a late blooming defenseman--after being drafted in 2006, he spent four years at Boston University, and nearly three more full seasons in the AHL before finally making the Ottawa Senators as a depth defenseman at the age of 25. After two and a half years with the Senators, the Oilers acquired him for the same purpose--extra depth at defense. He spent three years in Edmonton, playing about half the games and being demoted to Bakersfield for most of his last year with the team. The Oilers bought him out in 2018, and he spent a year in the Devils' organization before retiring in 2019 after a failed tryout in Calgary. Since retirement he's dedicated more time to his Capital Waterfowling company and his TV show called "Grilling with Gryba" (you can't make this stuff up). A happy 33rd to him today.

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April 15 [message #782897 is a reply to message #771063 ]	Thu, 15 April 2021 10:11

benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

Five players today, including our first of three men who qualify under all three categories: player, coach, and GM:

Keith Acton
Born: April 15, 1958 (turns 63 today) in Stouffville, ON.
Position: Centre (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Minnesota for Moe Mantha, January 22, 1988.
Oilers Career: 1987-88 to 1988-89: 72 games (7 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Philadelphia with 6th round pick for Dave Brown, February 7, 1989.

Acton broke into the NHL with Montreal in 1980 quickly establishing himself as a defensive centre, good on faceoffs, who could contribute some offense as well (he had 88 points one season). After three seasons in Montreal and another four and a half with Minnesota, the Oilers acquired him for d-man Moe Mantha. He would spend only one year in Edmonton over two seasons, acting as a third or fourth line centre, and occasional healthy scratch. The Oilers dealt him to the Flyers in 1989 and he would play five more years in the league before hanging up his blades in 1994. He immediately carved himself a second career as an NHL assistant coach, which he did consistently from 1994 to 2011 (with the Flyers, Rangers, and Maple Leafs). He returned to the Oilers in 2013 and spent two years as an assistant coach with the team under Dallas Eakins (where he was able to coach his son Will for a short time). I know there was a gif of him going around a few years ago standing behind the Oiler bench using colourful language--probably the most lasting image of him for modern fans. A happy 63rd to him today.

Kevin Lowe
Born: April 15, 1959 (turns 62 today) in Lachute, QU.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 21st overall, June 9, 1979.
Oilers Career: 1979-80 to 1991-92; 1996-97 to 1997-98: 1037 games (172 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Traded to NY Rangers for Roman Oksiuta and 3rd round pick, December 11, 1992.
Reacquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, September 28, 1996.
Left Oilers for good (at least as a player): Retired in 1998.
Oilers Coaching Career: 1999-2000: 82 games (5 playoff games).
Oiler GM Career: 2000-2001 to 2007-08: 574 games (36 playoff games).

Lowe has been a heavily maligned figure in Oilerland for the past decade plus. But let's discard that for the moment and remember why he's such a huge figure in Oilers' history. He was the first ever draft pick by the team (in the NHL) scored the first ever goal and has played more games (both regular season and playoff) than anyone else in team history. He was a member of all five cup winners and was important in both their other finals appearances (the first as a player and the second as a GM). Had he stepped away from the Oilers after the 2006 cup run he would probably be remembered fondly for his moves that season. However, we must address the elephant in the room which is his continued involvement and missteps with the team as a GM and executive. There was the Mike Comrie fiasco, the Chris Pronger trade (the second one), the "two tiers of Oiler fans" and "I know a little about winning" comments that contributed to his current tarnished reputation among the faithful. A quick summary of his history: he played 13 years with the team, left for four to play with the Rangers, before retunrnng to retire an Oiler. He had a meteorotic rise up the Oiler ladder, working one year as an assistant coach, head coach the next year, and GM the year after that. After eight seasons as GM, he has held various executive positions with the team; his current title is vice chairman of OEG--although many think he still has his hands in hockey ops. Regardless, Lowe has been a part of the Oilers for four decades (minus four years), will be going in the Hall of Fame later this year, and nobody has more credentials to appear in this thread. So happy 62nd today Kevin.

Todd Elik
Born: April 15, 1966 (turns 55 today) in Brampton, ON.
Position: Centre (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Minnesota for Brent Gilchrist, March 5, 1993.
Oilers Career: 1992-93 to 1993-94: 18 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Claimed on waiver by San Jose, October 26, 1993.

Elik has always been a bit of a puzzle to me. Throughout his NHL career in the 90s he seemed to do nothing but rack up points (not at a superstar level, but a good top 6 forward level of 0.7-0.8 ppg) and then get discarded by his teams. The Oilers acquired him late in the 92-93 season after he had spent three and a half season with the Kings and North Stars. He played 14 games with the Oilers over the rest of the season getting 10 points. The next year, he couldn't seem to crack the lineup and he played just four games, and then was waived by Edmonton and picked up by the Sharks. Despite 66 points with the Sharks that year, he was sluffed off again, playing with the Blues and Bruins, before going to Europe in 1997. He spent the next fourteen years playing in leagues in Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia before he retired in 2010. Since retiring he has coached in Switzerland, and most recently coached in the GMHL in Ontario. It's still a mystery to me why a guy who seemed to rack up points wherever he went, could never find an NHL home. Happy 55th Todd.

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

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

Ryan Hamilton
Born: April 15, 1985 (turns 36 today) in Oshawa, ON.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, July 5, 2013.
Oilers Career: 2013-14 to 2014-15: 18 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Retired in 2018.

Hamilton was a career AHL player (644 games) who spent his early pro career in the Wild and Maple Leaf organizations from 2006 to 2013. In the summer of 2013 he signed with the Oilers (he had played under new Oiler head coach Dallas Eakins for may years with the Toronto Marlies, so this was probably a contributing factor). During five years with the franchise (2013 to 2018) he acted as a leader on the AHL teams (OKC and Bakersfield) and he managed 18 games with the Oilers. He retired in 2018 and has since worked as a scout and development coach with the San Jose Sharks. Happy 36th Ryan.

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Re: April 15 [message #782898 is a reply to message #782897 ]	Thu, 15 April 2021 10:14

CrudeRemarks
Messages: 1698
Registered: November 2010
Location: Edmonton

1 Cup

benv wrote on Thu, 15 April 2021 10:11

Kevin Lowe
Born: April 15, 1959 (turns 62 today) in Lachute, QU.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 21st overall, June 9, 1979.
Oilers Career: 1979-80 to 1991-92; 1996-97 to 1997-98: 1037 games (172 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Traded to NY Rangers for Roman Oksiuta and 3rd round pick, December 11, 1992.
Reacquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, September 28, 1996.
Left Oilers for good (at least as a player): Retired in 1998.
Oilers Coaching Career: 1999-2000: 82 games (5 playoff games).
Oiler GM Career: 2000-2001 to 2007-08: 574 games (36 playoff games).

Lowe has been a heavily maligned figure in Oilerland for the past decade plus. But let's discard that for the moment and remember why he's such a huge figure in Oilers' history. He was the first ever draft pick by the team (in the NHL) scored the first ever goal and has played more games (both regular season and playoff) than anyone else in team history.

Gretzky tipped it.

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

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Re: April 15 [message #782937 is a reply to message #782898 ]	Fri, 16 April 2021 07:30

OilPeg
Messages: 70
Registered: December 2010
Location: Winnipeg

No Cups

CrudeRemarks wrote on Thu, 15 April 2021 11:14

benv wrote on Thu, 15 April 2021 10:11

Gretzky tipped it.

LOL I was trying to think of who the poster was who keeps saying that...hahaha

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Re: April 15 [message #782899 is a reply to message #782897 ]	Thu, 15 April 2021 10:46

Adam
Messages: 6803
Registered: August 2005
Location: Edmonton, AB

6 Cups

benv wrote on Thu, 15 April 2021 10:11

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

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

Here's the story from Jason Bonsignore:

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

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

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