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 June 6 [message #787287 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Sun, 06 June 2021 11:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv  is currently offline benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

A quartet of players to talk about today, both former and current:


Dean Hopkins
Born: June 6, 1959 (turns 62 today) in Cobourg, ON.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, September 27, 1985.
Oilers Career: 1985-86; 1 game (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Quebec, July 30, 1988.

Hopkins was a 2nd round pick by Los Angeles in 1979 and played four seasons with the Kings from 1979 to 1983 as a depth forward. His career seemed to take a nosedive in 1983 when after never playing in the minors to start his career, he played almost exclusively there for the rest of it. The Oilers picked him up as a free agent in 1985 and he would play just a single game for them over three years, playing the rest in Nova Scotia. Going to Quebec didn't help much as he played just 5 games with the Nordiques after three years there. He retired in 1990. He was briefly an assistant coach in the AHL, but no sign of him since. Happy 61st Dean.


Vladimir Ruzicka
Born: June 6, 1963 (turns 58 today) in Most, Czechoslovakia.
Position: Centre (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Toronto for 4th round pick, December 21, 1989.
Oilers Career: 1989-90; 25 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Boston for Greg Hawgood, October 22, 1990.

Ruzicka was a veteran Czech centre who had played for almost a decade in his home country when he chose to come over to North America in the 89-90 season. The Oilers got his rights from the Leafs and he would play 25 games for them during the 89-90 season putting up a respectable 17 points (but not seeing any playoff action in the Oilers' drive to the fifth cup). That would be it for his Oiler career as they dealt him to Boston the next year. He would play 3 seasons with the Bruins and one more with the Senators before returning to the Czech Republic and finishing his career there before retiring in 2000. Since retiring, Ruzicka has worked solidly for twenty years as a coach, both in the Czech league and internationally. He's currently the head coach of HK Hradec Kralove. Happy 58th Vladimir.


Anson Carter
Born: June 6, 1974 (turns 47 today) in Toronto, ON.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Boston (with 1st and 2nd round picks) for Bill Guerin and 1st round pick, November 15, 2000.
Oilers Career: 2000-01 to 2002-03; 211 games (6 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Traded to NY Rangers (with Ales Pisa) for Cory Cross and Radek Dvorak, March 11, 2003.

Carter is that rare success story; a 10th round pick that managed to become a bonafide NHL player. After his college career (in Michigan State) and a brief stint with the Capitals, he established himself as a decent scoring forward with the Bruins for three season. He was the key part of the deal that saw the Oilers shedding salary when they dealt Bill Guerin to Boston. Carter responded getting 42 points with the Oilers in 2000-01 and then having the best season of his career in 2001-02 with 60 (tying for the team lead). After another decent season in 02-03 Carter was dealt to the Rangers. He would bounce around the league the rest of his career, playing with six different teams, but except for one season when he played with Sedins in Vancouver, his offense dropped off the map. He even played in a pre-season game with the Oilers in 2007 on a tryout basis. He retired in 2008 after a year in Switzerland. Post retirement, Carter has become a hockey broadcaster in the USA working on NBCs NHL coverage. Happy 47th Anson.


Caleb Jones
Born: June 6, 1997 (turns 24 today) in Arlington, Texas.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 117th overall, June 27, 2015.
Oilers Career: 2018-19 to present; 93 games and counting (2 playoff games).

Jones comes from an elite sports family with his father Popeye being an NBA star and older brother Seth an NHL star. After being picked in the 4th round by the Oilers, his stock started to rise after two excellent years in the WHL and two solid years in Bakersfield. He got his first taste of the NHL in 18-19 with 17 games and looked pretty good. He's continued his career getting in another 43 games in 19-20 and 33 more in 20-21. He's still not at a point where he is a regular in the lineup (he was healthy scratched for the entire recent playoff series), but we will see where he goes from here (it's possible it could be to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft). Happy 24th Caleb.




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 Re: June 6 [message #787292 is a reply to message #787287 ]
Sun, 06 June 2021 15:09 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Skookum Jim  is currently offline Skookum Jim
Messages: 3827
Registered: March 2006
Location: Burnaby, BC

3 Cups

benv wrote on Sun, 06 June 2021 10:55

A quartet of players to talk about today, both former and current:


Dean Hopkins
Born: June 6, 1959 (turns 62 today) in Cobourg, ON.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, September 27, 1985.
Oilers Career: 1985-86; 1 game (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Quebec, July 30, 1988.

Hopkins was a 2nd round pick by Los Angeles in 1979 and played four seasons with the Kings from 1979 to 1983 as a depth forward. His career seemed to take a nosedive in 1983 when after never playing in the minors to start his career, he played almost exclusively there for the rest of it. The Oilers picked him up as a free agent in 1985 and he would play just a single game for them over three years, playing the rest in Nova Scotia. Going to Quebec didn't help much as he played just 5 games with the Nordiques after three years there. He retired in 1990. He was briefly an assistant coach in the AHL, but no sign of him since. Happy 61st Dean.


Vladimir Ruzicka
Born: June 6, 1963 (turns 58 today) in Most, Czechoslovakia.
Position: Centre (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Toronto for 4th round pick, December 21, 1989.
Oilers Career: 1989-90; 25 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Boston for Greg Hawgood, October 22, 1990.

Ruzicka was a veteran Czech centre who had played for almost a decade in his home country when he chose to come over to North America in the 89-90 season. The Oilers got his rights from the Leafs and he would play 25 games for them during the 89-90 season putting up a respectable 17 points (but not seeing any playoff action in the Oilers' drive to the fifth cup). That would be it for his Oiler career as they dealt him to Boston the next year. He would play 3 seasons with the Bruins and one more with the Senators before returning to the Czech Republic and finishing his career there before retiring in 2000. Since retiring, Ruzicka has worked solidly for twenty years as a coach, both in the Czech league and internationally. He's currently the head coach of HK Hradec Kralove. Happy 58th Vladimir.


Anson Carter
Born: June 6, 1974 (turns 47 today) in Toronto, ON.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Boston (with 1st and 2nd round picks) for Bill Guerin and 1st round pick, November 15, 2000.
Oilers Career: 2000-01 to 2002-03; 211 games (6 playoff games)
Left Oilers: Traded to NY Rangers (with Ales Pisa) for Cory Cross and Radek Dvorak, March 11, 2003.

Carter is that rare success story; a 10th round pick that managed to become a bonafide NHL player. After his college career (in Michigan State) and a brief stint with the Capitals, he established himself as a decent scoring forward with the Bruins for three season. He was the key part of the deal that saw the Oilers shedding salary when they dealt Bill Guerin to Boston. Carter responded getting 42 points with the Oilers in 2000-01 and then having the best season of his career in 2001-02 with 60 (tying for the team lead). After another decent season in 02-03 Carter was dealt to the Rangers. He would bounce around the league the rest of his career, playing with six different teams, but except for one season when he played with Sedins in Vancouver, his offense dropped off the map. He even played in a pre-season game with the Oilers in 2007 on a tryout basis. He retired in 2008 after a year in Switzerland. Post retirement, Carter has become a hockey broadcaster in the USA working on NBCs NHL coverage. Happy 47th Anson.


Caleb Jones
Born: June 6, 1997 (turns 24 today) in Arlington, Texas.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 117th overall, June 27, 2015.
Oilers Career: 2018-19 to present; 93 games and counting (2 playoff games).

Jones comes from an elite sports family with his father Popeye being an NBA star and older brother Seth an NHL star. After being picked in the 4th round by the Oilers, his stock started to rise after two excellent years in the WHL and two solid years in Bakersfield. He got his first taste of the NHL in 18-19 with 17 games and looked pretty good. He's continued his career getting in another 43 games in 19-20 and 33 more in 20-21. He's still not at a point where he is a regular in the lineup (he was healthy scratched for the entire recent playoff series), but we will see where he goes from here (it's possible it could be to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft). Happy 24th Caleb.





Fitting that it was Anson Carter's birthday today, since Team Canada went into a gold medal IIHF championship game today, and WON it in OT! Just like Anson did against the Swedes ! 👍🏻😊



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

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 Re: June 6 [message #787324 is a reply to message #787292 ]
Mon, 07 June 2021 10:41 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Dragon_Matt  is currently offline Dragon_Matt
Messages: 702
Registered: January 2009
Location: edmonton

No Cups

"led the team in scoring with 60 pts"

man we were bad.



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 Re: June 6 [message #787325 is a reply to message #787324 ]
Mon, 07 June 2021 10:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
CrusaderPi is currently online CrusaderPi
Messages: 7597
Registered: December 2003
Location: AB Highway 100

6 Cups

Dragon_Matt wrote on Mon, 07 June 2021 10:41

"led the team in scoring with 60 pts"

man we were bad.

It was near the start of the 22 year (and counting) march of Oilers futility. The pretty good teams assembled by late Sather started to become wildly mediocre without anyone really noticing because of inflated points from beating expansion teams. Fashion decisions aside, I didn't mind Anson. He was fun to watch.

This remains the best thread on Oilfans. Like a daily hug from someone who cares.



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: June 6 [message #787357 is a reply to message #787324 ]
Mon, 07 June 2021 16:41 Go to previous messageGo to next message
oilfan94  is currently offline oilfan94
Messages: 330
Registered: June 2006
Location: USA

No Cups

Dragon_Matt wrote on Mon, 07 June 2021 12:41

"led the team in scoring with 60 pts"

man we were bad.


Hey, he tied to lead the team, so we had two 60 point players that year (and 3 players over 50 points). And we make the playoffs that year, which is better than most seasons in the last 20.



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 Re: June 6 [message #787361 is a reply to message #787357 ]
Mon, 07 June 2021 16:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv  is currently offline benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

oilfan94 wrote on Mon, 07 June 2021 16:41

Dragon_Matt wrote on Mon, 07 June 2021 12:41

"led the team in scoring with 60 pts"

man we were bad.


Hey, he tied to lead the team, so we had two 60 point players that year (and 3 players over 50 points). And we make the playoffs that year, which is better than most seasons in the last 20.


Actually, the year Carter had 60 points (2001-02; tied with Mike Comrie for those curious) the Oilers actually missed the playoffs for the first time since 1995-96. They had 92 points which I believe at the time was the highest ever point total to miss the playoffs. The Canadiens made the playoffs in the east with 87 points.

So they weren't actually such a bad team (just mediocre)--this was the dead puck era remember.

For truly pathetic, I always go to the 92-93 season when Petr Klima lead the team with 48 points in an era when scoring was still pretty high. There were 20 players with 100 points that year--Klima's 48 points put him tied for 142nd in the league. It was a hard year to take after over a decade's worth of high scoring successful teams.



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 Re: June 6 [message #787365 is a reply to message #787361 ]
Mon, 07 June 2021 18:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Adam  is currently offline Adam
Messages: 6765
Registered: August 2005
Location: Edmonton, AB

6 Cups

benv wrote on Mon, 07 June 2021 16:57

oilfan94 wrote on Mon, 07 June 2021 16:41

Dragon_Matt wrote on Mon, 07 June 2021 12:41

"led the team in scoring with 60 pts"

man we were bad.


Hey, he tied to lead the team, so we had two 60 point players that year (and 3 players over 50 points). And we make the playoffs that year, which is better than most seasons in the last 20.


Actually, the year Carter had 60 points (2001-02; tied with Mike Comrie for those curious) the Oilers actually missed the playoffs for the first time since 1995-96. They had 92 points which I believe at the time was the highest ever point total to miss the playoffs. The Canadiens made the playoffs in the east with 87 points.

So they weren't actually such a bad team (just mediocre)--this was the dead puck era remember.

For truly pathetic, I always go to the 92-93 season when Petr Klima lead the team with 48 points in an era when scoring was still pretty high. There were 20 players with 100 points that year--Klima's 48 points put him tied for 142nd in the league. It was a hard year to take after over a decade's worth of high scoring successful teams.


And the three years before that we'd seen 10 playoff series. It was a pretty rude awakening. There was a period where it felt like maybe we could continue to trade star players and still be competitive because Sather was pretty good at finding talent, but by 92-93, the second group were leaving now too, and that revolving door was hard to manage. Damphousse, Murphy and Nicholls had been a fantastic line in 1992, but by the next February they were all gone. Sather still did pretty well getting good players back - Kravchuk, Ciger, Corson - but some of them were a lot younger and less developed.

The trade trees just show slow erosion throughout that whole decade (in part because in so many of them the owner was insisting cash be part of the proceeds of each trade).




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

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 Re: June 6 [message #787383 is a reply to message #787361 ]
Tue, 08 June 2021 00:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
stemhovlichski  is currently offline stemhovlichski
Messages: 346
Registered: March 2006
Location: NSR

No Cups

benv wrote on Mon, 07 June 2021 16:57

oilfan94 wrote on Mon, 07 June 2021 16:41

Dragon_Matt wrote on Mon, 07 June 2021 12:41

"led the team in scoring with 60 pts"

man we were bad.


Hey, he tied to lead the team, so we had two 60 point players that year (and 3 players over 50 points). And we make the playoffs that year, which is better than most seasons in the last 20.


Actually, the year Carter had 60 points (2001-02; tied with Mike Comrie for those curious) the Oilers actually missed the playoffs for the first time since 1995-96. They had 92 points which I believe at the time was the highest ever point total to miss the playoffs. The Canadiens made the playoffs in the east with 87 points.

So they weren't actually such a bad team (just mediocre)--this was the dead puck era remember.

For truly pathetic, I always go to the 92-93 season when Petr Klima lead the team with 48 points in an era when scoring was still pretty high. There were 20 players with 100 points that year--Klima's 48 points put him tied for 142nd in the league. It was a hard year to take after over a decade's worth of high scoring successful teams.



The 2001-2 season was one I remember because it was one of the classic January slumps the Oilers have become infamous for: 3-7-3, If they had won one more game they would likely have made the playoffs. The 92-93 season was so bad I stopped watching hockey and boycotted the Oilers til they started showing some heart about 5 years later. Was close to doing the same pre-McDavid. You know it's bad when you play drinking games involving only drinking when the team screws up and you end up plastered because....Oilers gonna Oil.



Restored: "We're sucking hind banana here." - Pat Quinn, Jan 18, 2010

"...the Oilers have been rebuilding for so long that it’s hard not to be cynical." - NBC's Ryan Dadoun Jan 2, 2015

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 Re: June 6 [message #787385 is a reply to message #787361 ]
Tue, 08 June 2021 08:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
oilfan94  is currently offline oilfan94
Messages: 330
Registered: June 2006
Location: USA

No Cups

benv wrote on Mon, 07 June 2021 18:57

oilfan94 wrote on Mon, 07 June 2021 16:41

Dragon_Matt wrote on Mon, 07 June 2021 12:41

"led the team in scoring with 60 pts"

man we were bad.


Hey, he tied to lead the team, so we had two 60 point players that year (and 3 players over 50 points). And we make the playoffs that year, which is better than most seasons in the last 20.


Actually, the year Carter had 60 points (2001-02; tied with Mike Comrie for those curious) the Oilers actually missed the playoffs for the first time since 1995-96. They had 92 points which I believe at the time was the highest ever point total to miss the playoffs. The Canadiens made the playoffs in the east with 87 points.

So they weren't actually such a bad team (just mediocre)--this was the dead puck era remember.

For truly pathetic, I always go to the 92-93 season when Petr Klima lead the team with 48 points in an era when scoring was still pretty high. There were 20 players with 100 points that year--Klima's 48 points put him tied for 142nd in the league. It was a hard year to take after over a decade's worth of high scoring successful teams.


Ah, my mistake, I guess I got it mixed up with 2003. Those 2002 and 2003 teams, despite not being that great overall, were always special to me since that is when I really started following closely. I know Doug Weight is my avatar, but that is mostly because in summer 2001 I only had NHL 2000 to play, so I thought he was still on the team until the season started and I found out he had been traded a few months before. So the Oilers trained me from day one to be sad.

It is a lot of fun to have league leader scorers on the team now, but after watching some of the other teams in the playoffs like Boston and the Islanders, I really get jealous of the depth they have.



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 June 7 [message #787323 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Mon, 07 June 2021 10:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv  is currently offline benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

A couple of power forwards today who each played three years with the team, separated by exactly twenty years and several million dollars:




Andrei Kovalenko
Born: June 7, 1970 (turns 51 today) in Balakovo, USSR.
Position: Right Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Montreal for Scott Thornton, September 6, 1996.
Oilers Career: 1996-97 to 1998-99; 176 games (13 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Philadelphia for Alexandre Daigle, January 29, 1999.

Kovalenko was a big Russian power forward (nicknamed "the Tank") who came into the NHL in 1992 with Quebec. He moved with the team to Colorado and was soon part of the Patrick Roy trade, moving to Montreal. The Oilers acquired him in 1996 and he would spend two and a half years with the Oilers, having his best season in 96-97 (59 points), but regressing a bit after that. He was dealt to Philadelphia half way through 98-99 and after stints with Boston and Carolina would return to Russia in 2001. He would play seven more years in the Russian Super League before retiring in 2008. He is currently the chairman of the KHL players association. Happy 51st Andrei.


Milan Lucic
Born: June 7, 1988 (turns 33 today) in Vancouver, BC.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, July 1, 2016.
Oilers Career: 2016-17 to 2018-19; 243 games (13 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Calgary (with 3rd round pick) for James Neal, July 19, 2019.

Lucic was a forward out of the WHL, drafted in the 2nd round by Boston in 2006 (ironically using a pick traded to them by the Oilers). He played eight seasons with the Bruins and became one of the most feared power forwards in the league, running over people and putting up points at the same time. After a year with the Kings, he became UFA and signed a seven year deal with the Oilers in 2016 for a chance to play with McDavid. His first season as an Oiler was a success as he amassed 50 points on McDavid's wing, but things soon seemed to fall apart as age caught up with him. His second season he was down to 34 points and then down to 20 in his third. The Oilers were able to unload him to Calgary in the 2019 offseason in an exchange of bad contracts. His numbers in Calgary have been similar to his last two in Edmonton, although he was a bit better this year. Happy 33rd Milan.




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 June 8 [message #787402 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Tue, 08 June 2021 11:44 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv  is currently offline benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

June 8 sees us with three more players to add to the thread:




Bryan Muir
Born: June 8, 1973 (turns 48 today) in Winnipeg, MB.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, April 30, 1996.
Oilers Career: 1995-96 to 1997-98; 12 games (5 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to New Jersey (with Jason Arnott) for Bill Guerin and Valeri Zelepukin, January 4, 1998.

Muir was an undrafted d-man who played for University of New Hampshire before joining the Canadian national team for the 95-96 season. The Oilers signed him to a contract and he played 5 games with them during 95-96. He spent the entire 96-97 season in Hamilton, but was called up to play 5 games in the Oilers playoff drive that year. After 7 more NHL games in 97-98 he was sent to New Jersey as part of the Arnott/Guerin trade. His career would continue as he bounced from team to team and up and down from the NHL to the AHL through the Devils, the Blackhawks, the Lightning, the Avalanche, the Kings, and finally the Capitals. He had his best season near the end of his career with Washington in 05-06 when he played 72 games in the NHL. He finally retired in 2009 after a season in Europe. He's since played some Senior hockey but I can't find much else on him. Happy 48th Bryan.


Mike Cammalleri
Born: June 8, 1982 (turns 39 today) in Richmond Hill, ON.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Los Angeles for Jussi Jokinen, November 14, 2017.
Oilers Career: 2017-18; 51 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Retired in 2018.

Cammalleri was a high scoring winger, drafted by the Kings in 2001. He had a long successful NHL career that started in Los Angeles in 2002. After bouncing between Manchester and Los Angeles, he became a permanent NHLer starting in 05-06. He was traded to the Flames in 2008 and actually had his best season (82 points) with them in 08-09. He signed as a UFA with Montreal the next year, but would return to Calgary in 2011. Three more years in Calgary, three in New Jersey and finally a brief second stay in Los Angeles, finally brings us to his Oiler career. The Oiler and Kings did a swap of aging UFA signings when Cammalleri was dealt to Edmonton for Jussi Jokkinen. He would play 51 games with Edmonton in 17-18, getting 22 points. He would retire after the season. Outside of hockey he was a co-founder of Bio-Steel Sports Nutrition. Happy 39th Mike.



Andrej Sekera
Born: June 8, 1986 (turns 35 today) in Bojnice, Czechoslovakia.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, July 1, 2015.
Oilers Career: 2015-16 to 2018-19; 221 games (11 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Contract bought out in 2019.

Sekera was a Slovakian d-man who played his junior in the OHL. He made his debut in 2007 with Buffalo and became an NHL regular by the next season. He continued his solid play over the next several years, going to Carolina in 2013 and then Los Angeles at the 2015 deadline. He signed a six year UFA deal with the Oilers in 2015, and was excellent to start the deal, having the best two season of his career with the Oilers in 15-16 and 16-17. He was injured during the 2017 playoffs and would play only 60 games over the next two seasons, having lost a step and being relegated to the third pairing. The Oilers chose to buy out the last two years of his deal in 2019 and he subsequently signed with Dallas where he has just finished the 2nd year in 20-21 and will be UFA this offseason. Good luck with that Andrej, and happy 35th.




Edit: added Markus Niemelainen, December 31, 20201.

Markus Niemelainen
Born: June 8, 1998 (turned 23 this year) in Kuopio, Finland.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 63rd overall, June 25, 2016.
Oilers Career: 2021-22 to present; 7 games and counting (0 playoff games).

Niemelainen was an Oiler third rounder out of Finland in 2016. He played his junior hockey in Saginaw of the OHL, but returned to Finland to play three and a half years in the Finnish elite league before coming to North America in 2021. He has so far played 38 games in the AHL and some back end injuries this year saw him come in and play 7 games with the Oilers. He's looked good so far, and we will look forward to his 6 foot 6 frame manning the Oilers' blue line in the near future.



[Updated on: Fri, 31 December 2021 09:42]


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 June 9 [message #787442 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Wed, 09 June 2021 10:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv  is currently offline benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

Two players today who's appearances in the NHL were very brief:



Trevor Sim
Born: June 9, 1970 (turns 51 today) in Calgary, AB.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 53rd overall, June 11, 1988.
Oilers Career: 1989-90; 3 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Joined Canadian National Team in 1992.

Sim was a third pick by the Oilers in 1988. While still in the WHL during the 89-90 season he was called up to play 3 games with the Oilers, registering 1 assist. These would be his only NHL games. He spent the next two seasons in Cape Breton after which the Oilers cut him loose. He spent the 92-93 season with the Canadian National Team and then spent the rest of his career bouncing between the different minor leagues (AHL, IHL, and ECHL) before retiring in 1999. Not sure what he's been up to since; happy 51st Trevor.


Ryan O'Marra
Born: June 9, 1987 (turns 34 today) in Tokyo, Japan.
Position: Centre (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by NY Islanders (with Robert Nilsson and 1st round pick) for Ryan Smyth, February 27, 2007.
Oilers Career: 2009-10 to 2011-12; 31 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Anaheim for Bryan Rodney, February 16, 2012.

O'Marra is that rare Japanese born Irish-Canadian hockey player. A first round pick by the Islanders, he was acquired by the Oilers in the Ryan Smyth trade. After turning pro in 2007, he spent five years in the Oilers organization, the vast majority in the AHL with Springfield and then OKC. He managed 31 games and seven points with the Oilers, but his potential just never showed and he was dealt to Anaheim in 2012. He got in two games with the Ducks, and then tried his luck in Europe after the 11-12 season. He played in Norway, Italy, and Britain before retiring in 2015. After retirement, he returned to Alberta and played some senior hockey--not sure what he's been up to lately. Happy 34th Ryan.



Edit: added Zach Hyman, December 31, 2021.


Zach Hyman
Born: June 9, 1992 (turned 29 this year) in Toronto, ON.
Position: Left Wing (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, July 28, 2021.
Oilers Career: 2021-22 to present; 27 games and counting (0 playoff games).

Hyman was drafted in the fifth round by Florida out of the OJHL. He would spend four full seasons with Michigan State, exploding for 54 points in 35 games in his final year in 14-15. He would be traded to the Leafs in 2015 and play most of 15-16 in the AHL, but established himself as an NHLer by 2016. He spent over five seasons in Toronto improving each year and became a top line sniper by 2018. He left Toronto to sign with the Oilers this past July and he's been excellent, getting 19 points (11 goals) in 27 games. We've got him signed for seven years, so here's hoping he continues to produce.

[Updated on: Fri, 31 December 2021 09:45]


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 Re: June 9 [message #787642 is a reply to message #787442 ]
Sat, 12 June 2021 16:44 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Skookum Jim  is currently offline Skookum Jim
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benv wrote on Wed, 09 June 2021 09:55

Two players today who's appearances in the NHL were very brief:



Trevor Sim
Born: June 9, 1970 (turns 51 today) in Calgary, AB.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 53rd overall, June 11, 1988.
Oilers Career: 1989-90; 3 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Joined Canadian National Team in 1992.

Sim was a third pick by the Oilers in 1988. While still in the WHL during the 89-90 season he was called up to play 3 games with the Oilers, registering 1 assist. These would be his only NHL games. He spent the next two seasons in Cape Breton after which the Oilers cut him loose. He spent the 92-93 season with the Canadian National Team and then spent the rest of his career bouncing between the different minor leagues (AHL, IHL, and ECHL) before retiring in 1999. Not sure what he's been up to since; happy 51st Trevor.


Ryan O'Marra
Born: June 9, 1987 (turns 34 today) in Tokyo, Japan.
Position: Centre (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by NY Islanders (with Robert Nilsson and 1st round pick) for Ryan Smyth, February 27, 2007.
Oilers Career: 2009-10 to 2011-12; 31 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Anaheim for Bryan Rodney, February 16, 2012.

O'Marra is that rare Japanese born Irish-Canadian hockey player. A first round pick by the Islanders, he was acquired by the Oilers in the Ryan Smyth trade. After turning pro in 2007, he spent five years in the Oilers organization, the vast majority in the AHL with Springfield and then OKC. He managed 31 games and seven points with the Oilers, but his potential just never showed and he was dealt to Anaheim in 2012. He got in two games with the Ducks, and then tried his luck in Europe after the 11-12 season. He played in Norway, Italy, and Britain before retiring in 2015. After retirement, he returned to Alberta and played some senior hockey--not sure what he's been up to lately. Happy 34th Ryan.




Rya O'Marra was a player I thought would do well, he was a force on the TC juniors, the fact you point out he played in Springfield reminds me how bad the Oiler AHL prospect development was, lot of players went there to see their careers wither and fade away, Oilers had no idea what it was doing back then with development.. have a much better opinion of Bakersfield... 🤞🏻



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

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 June 10 [message #787543 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Thu, 10 June 2021 12:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv  is currently offline benv
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Just the single alumnus (and father of an alumnus) today:



Brian Benning
Born: June 10, 1966 (turns 55 today) in Edmonton, AB.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Philadelphia for Josef Beranek and Greg Hawgood, January 16, 1993.
Oilers Career: 1992-93; 18 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Florida, July 13, 1993.

Benning slowly worked his way up to being a regular NHL defenseman (after stints with the Canadian National team) with the Blues in 86-87 and had an immediate impact, being one of the teams highest scoring d-men. He actually never played in the minors, playing three years in St. Louis followed by three more in Los Angeles, and a couple more with the Flyers when the Oilers gave up two players for him in 1993. He finished the 92-93 season with Edmonton, playing 18 games and getting 8 points. There was no hometown loyalty, however as he bolted as a UFA in the offseason, signing with the brand new Florida Panthers. After two more years in Miami he retired in 1995. Not much info on his post retirement life--we know he raised son Matt to be another Oiler defenseman, and coached the St. Albert Sabres Pee-wee team for a year (14-15). I know he showed up at a few Oiler father trips while Matt was here. Happy 55th Brian.



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 June 11 [message #787619 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Fri, 11 June 2021 12:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv  is currently offline benv
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Two more alumni today that you will likely remember:


Scott Mellanby
Born: June 11, 1966 (turns 55 today) in Montreal, QU.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Philadelphia (with Craig Berube and Craig Fisher) for Dave Brown, Corey Foster, and Jari Kurri, May 30, 1991.
Oilers Career: 1991-92 to 1992-93; 149 games (16 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Claimed by Florida in expansion draft, June 24, 1993.

Mellanby was a 2nd round pick, who played two years of college hockey and then joined the Flyers in 1986 and would stay in the NHL for twenty years. He was traded to the Oilers in 1991 after five years in Philadelphia as the main part of the Kurri deal. He spent just two years in Edmonton, getting a respectable 82 points in 149 games, but they were not able to protect him in the 1993 expansion draft and he was claimed by the Panthers. He spent seven and a half years in Florida and became a fan favourite in Miami, especially when he killed a rat in the dressing room and caused the rat throwing frenzy of the Panthers 1996 Stanley Cup Drive. He played three and a half years in St. Louis before wrapping up his career with two years in Atlanta before retiring in 2007. He did various hockey jobs after retiring, starting with the Canucks as a consultant and then two years as an assistant coach with the Blues. He is currently in his ninth season as an assistant GM with the Canadiens. Happy 55th Scott, but I hope your team gets its butt kicked against Vegas.


Keith Aulie
Born: June 11, 1989 (turns 32 today) in Rouleau, SK.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, July 1, 2014.
Oilers Career: 2014-15; 31 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Left to play in Finland in 2015.

Aulie was a stay-at-home d-man; a late round pick who clawed his way to a handful of NHL games. He made his NHL debut in 10-11 playing 40 games with the Leafs. He spent the next four years with the Leafs and Lightning organizations, bouncing up and down between the NHL and AHL. The Oilers signed him as a depth defenseman for the 14-15 season. He dressed for 31 games that year, but after finding himself back in the minors the next year, he chose to go to play in Europe. He has spent the last four years playing for Munich in the German league. Happy 32nd Keith.


No birthday Oilers on June 12, so I will take tomorrow off and be back with another batch on Sunday.



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 June 13 [message #787647 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Sun, 13 June 2021 09:03 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv  is currently offline benv
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June 13 brings us four players, but only two who get to celebrate their birthday today, as the other two were taken from us too early:


Garnet (Ace) Bailey
Born: June 13, 1948 in Lloydminster, SK.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Selected in WHA general player draft, February 12, 1972.
Oilers Career: 1978-79; 38 games (2 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Not re-signed after 78-79 season.
Died: September 11, 2001 (age 53) in New York, New York in 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Garnet (Ace) Bailey was a winger out of the Oil Kings who played his first full season with the Bruins in 69-70. He spent most of his career as a depth forward with Boston, Detroit, St. Louis, and Washington. After the 77-78 season, he signed with the Oilers in the WHA (after they had acquired his WHA rights six years earlier). He spent just one year on a young Edmonton team acting as a veteran depth forward. He would play a bit in the minors in 79-80, but would retire in 1980. The Oilers hired him as a scout in 1981, and he would stay in that role for 13 years, before moving on to Los Angeles in 1994 where he would spend seven years as their director of professional scouting. As I believe is well known, tragedy struck on September 11, 2001 when he boarded United Airlines flight 175 from his home in Boston to fly back to Los Angeles for the start of the season meetings. The plane was of course hijacked and crashed into the south tower of the World Trade Center; a tragic and somewhat ironic death for the guy who, during the 78-79 season would make a point of sitting on planes with seventeen year old Wayne Gretzky to help him overcome his fear of flying. RIP Ace.



Brian Carlin
Born: June 13, 1950 (turns 71 today) in Calgary, AB.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Selected in WHA general player draft, February 12, 1972.
Oilers Career: 1972-73 to 1973-74; 70 games (1 playoff game)
Left Oilers: Retired in 1974.

Not much info on Carlin. He was from Calgary and played in the WCHL with Calgary and Lethbridge before being drafted by the Kings in the 7th round in 1970. After a year in the minors in 71-72 (he got in 5 games with the Kings) he switched to the WHA and played a full season in the Oilers' first season in 72-73. That would be his one big major pro hurrah, as we would be back in the minors the next season (only 5 games with the Oilers) and then retire in 1974. He played a bit of senior hockey later in the decade, but otherwise I can't find much else on him. Wherever you are Brian, happy 71st.


Ron Areshenkoff
Born: June 13, 1957 in Grand Forks, BC.
Position: Centre (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Claimed from Buffalo in WHA expansion draft, June 13, 1979.
Oilers Career: 1979-80; 4 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Philadelphia (with 10th round pick) for Barry Dean, June 11, 1980.
Died: December 15, 2019 (age 62) in Grand Forks, BC of cancer.

Areshenkoff was a centre drafted in the 2nd round by the Sabres. He never played in Buffalo, and was claimed by the Oilers in the expansion draft (on his 22nd birthday) when they joined the league in 1979. He would play just 4 games in Edmonton in 79-80 and these would be the only NHL games of his career as he spent the rest of it in the minors before retiring in 1984. After retirement he raised his family, coached minor hockey, got a diploma and became an insurance rep. He eventually moved back to his hometown of Grand Forks where he died of cancer in 2019 at the age of 62. RIP Ron.


Danny Syvret
Born: June 13, 1985 (turns 36 today) in Milgrove, ON.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 81st overall, July 30, 2005.
Oilers Career: 2005-06 to 2006-07; 26 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Philadelphia for Ryan Potulny, June 6, 2008.

Syvret was a d-man drafted as an overage 20 year old by the Oilers in 2005. He immediately joined the AHL team in Hamilton but was actually called up by the Oilers early in 05-06 when they ran into injury troubles on the backend. He played 10 games that year and got into another 16 the following year. After spending the entire 07-08 season in the AHL, the Oilers dealt him to the Flyers. Over the next seven years he played almost exclusively in the AHL, managing another 33 games in the NHL with Philadelphia and Anaheim. In 2015 he went to Germany and played two years there before retiring in 2017. Since retiring he has pursued a financial career; good luck with that Dany and happy 36th.


Ok to sign off today I have to bring up something that's always intrigued me. Garnet Bailey was nicknamed "Ace", but he wasn't the first NHLer named Bailey with this nickname. Irvine "Ace" Bailey played in the 1930s with the Leafs (he's known for having his career ended by a vicious Eddie Shore blindside hit). I also recently found out my mother-in-law's stepfather was also "Ace" Bailey. So is this all just a big coincidence, or is there something about having the surname Bailey that makes people want to call you Ace? I'd love to hear if anyone has any clarification on this.

[Updated on: Sun, 13 June 2021 15:03]


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 Re: June 13 [message #787648 is a reply to message #787647 ]
Sun, 13 June 2021 12:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Skookum Jim  is currently offline Skookum Jim
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benv wrote on Sun, 13 June 2021 08:03


Ok to sign off today I have to bring up something that's always intrigued me. Garnett Bailey was nicknamed "Ace", but he wasn't the first NHLer named Bailey with this nickname. Irvine "Ace" Bailey played in the 1930s with the Leafs (he's known for having his career ended by a vicious Eddie Shore blindside hit). I also recently found out my mother-in-law's stepfather was also "Ace" Bailey. So is this all just a big coincidence, or is there something about having the surname Bailey that makes people want to call you Ace? I'd love to hear if anyone has any clarification on this.




The Sunday Mystery, I'm intrigued as well, that's too much of a coincidence.
Might be that Irvine Bailey earned his nickname by being a scoring champ, "Ace", got famous, being the Leafs, and future "Baileys" in Canada occasionally acquired it from the pop culture reference..

[Updated on: Sun, 13 June 2021 13:05]


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

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 Re: June 13 [message #787654 is a reply to message #787648 ]
Mon, 14 June 2021 08:56 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Adam  is currently offline Adam
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Skookum Jim wrote on Sun, 13 June 2021 12:51

benv wrote on Sun, 13 June 2021 08:03


Ok to sign off today I have to bring up something that's always intrigued me. Garnett Bailey was nicknamed "Ace", but he wasn't the first NHLer named Bailey with this nickname. Irvine "Ace" Bailey played in the 1930s with the Leafs (he's known for having his career ended by a vicious Eddie Shore blindside hit). I also recently found out my mother-in-law's stepfather was also "Ace" Bailey. So is this all just a big coincidence, or is there something about having the surname Bailey that makes people want to call you Ace? I'd love to hear if anyone has any clarification on this.




The Sunday Mystery, I'm intrigued as well, that's too much of a coincidence.
Might be that Irvine Bailey earned his nickname by being a scoring champ, "Ace", got famous, being the Leafs, and future "Baileys" in Canada occasionally acquired it from the pop culture reference..


Yeah, hockey players aren't that original and do recycle nicknames. I mean, Robert Esche's nickname was Chico, simply because his name is similar to Glenn "Chico" Resch's.



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

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 Re: June 13 [message #787659 is a reply to message #787654 ]
Mon, 14 June 2021 09:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
oilfan94  is currently offline oilfan94
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Adam wrote on Mon, 14 June 2021 10:56

Skookum Jim wrote on Sun, 13 June 2021 12:51

benv wrote on Sun, 13 June 2021 08:03


Ok to sign off today I have to bring up something that's always intrigued me. Garnett Bailey was nicknamed "Ace", but he wasn't the first NHLer named Bailey with this nickname. Irvine "Ace" Bailey played in the 1930s with the Leafs (he's known for having his career ended by a vicious Eddie Shore blindside hit). I also recently found out my mother-in-law's stepfather was also "Ace" Bailey. So is this all just a big coincidence, or is there something about having the surname Bailey that makes people want to call you Ace? I'd love to hear if anyone has any clarification on this.




The Sunday Mystery, I'm intrigued as well, that's too much of a coincidence.
Might be that Irvine Bailey earned his nickname by being a scoring champ, "Ace", got famous, being the Leafs, and future "Baileys" in Canada occasionally acquired it from the pop culture reference..


Yeah, hockey players aren't that original and do recycle nicknames. I mean, Robert Esche's nickname was Chico, simply because his name is similar to Glenn "Chico" Resch's.


Unfortunately this is true. Brad Marchand's two most famous nicknames actually belonged to Ken Linseman and Pat Verbeek first. Then there is the have dozen players with the nickname "Moose".

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



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 June 14 [message #787660 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Mon, 14 June 2021 09:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv  is currently offline benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

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Two guys today, each with four year stints during the decade of darkness:


Ryan Jones
Born: June 14, 1984 (turns 37 today) in Chatham, ON.
Position: Right Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Claimed on waivers from Nashville, March 3, 2010.
Oilers Career: 2009-10 to 20013-14; 247 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Not re-signed following 13-14 season.


Jones was a 4th round pick by Minnesota in 2004, but he played four years of college hockey in Miami before turning pro in 2008. He was quickly dealt to Nashville and soon established himself as a regular NHLer. The Oilers were able to pluck him on waivers late in the 09-10 season and he soon found himself a regular. He played just over four seasons in Edmonton playing 247 games and getting 40 goals as mostly a third line winger (but occasionally playing higher up). The Oilers cut him loose after 13-14 and after a failed tryout with the Canucks he decided to go to Germany where he played for five years before retiring in 2019. Happy 37th Ryan.


Andrew Cogliano
Born: June 14, 1987 (turns 34 today) in Toronto, ON.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 25th overall, July 30, 2005.
Oilers Career: 2007-08 to 2010-11; 328 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Anaheim for 2nd round pick, July 12, 2011.

Cogliano was a winger with speed to burn coming out of the University of Michigan and drafted in the 1st round by the Oilers in 2005. He joined the team in 07-08 and did not miss a single game over his four years with the Oilers. His first season was his best when he got 45 points, playing on a line with Gagner and Nilsson, hilighted by his three consecutive overtime winners (an NHL record). After the 10-11 season, the Oilers decided they didn't have room for him anymore, and dealt him to Anaheim for a draft pick. He would continue his iron man streak with the Ducks and it finally ended in 17-18 at 830 games (at the time it was fourth best all time; now it's seventh) when he got a questionable suspension from the league. He went to Dallas in 2019 and continues his career there to this day, having played 1066 games. Happy 34th Andrew.

[Updated on: Mon, 14 June 2021 09:33]


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 June 15 [message #787735 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Tue, 15 June 2021 09:39 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv  is currently offline benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

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Four ex-Oilers with a June 15 birthday; you'll have to go back a bit to remember any of them though:




Warren Miller
Born: June 15, 1953 (turns 68 today) in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, May 31, 1977.
Oilers Career: 1977-78; 18 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Quebec (with Ken Broderick, Dave Inkpen, and Rick Morris) for Pierre Guite and Don McLeod, November 1977.

Miller was a winger who, after four years at UMinn, signed in the WHA with Calgary in 1976. After getting 55 points in 76-77, the Cowboys folded, and Miller was one of several players the Oilers happily plucked from the carcass. He would spend only a couple of months and 18 games in Edmonton before he was part of a massive trade with the Nordiques. After finishing the year in Quebec he spent the last WHA year with the Whalers. With the merger to the NHL he was claimed by the Rangers, spent one year in New York (79-80) and then finished his career with three more years in Hartford before retiring in 1983. Can't find anything on him after that--happy 68th Warren, wherever you are.


Todd Strueby
Born: June 15, 1963 (turns 58 today) in Lanigan, SK.
Position: Centre (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 29th overall, June 10, 1981.
Oilers Career: 1981-82 to 1983-84; 5 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to NY Rangers (with Larry Melnyk) for Mike Rogers, December 20, 1985.

Struby was a scoring star for the Saskatoon Blades who the Oilers nabbed in the 2nd round of 1981. During the 81-82 and 82-83 seasons he was playing for the Blades, but the Oilers twice plucked him out of junior to play a few games with them. He finally joined the organization full time in 83-84, but would play just a single game that season, while spending the rest of the time in the minors. He never got another look in the NHL, and the Oilers dealt him to the Rangers in 85-86. The change didn't help his NHL career as he would never play in the NHL again; he played in the IHL until 1988, followed by two years in Germany before returning to the IHL in 91-92 and retiring after the season. I can't find anything on him after that, but I hope you've had a good life the last 30 years, Todd, and happy 58th today.


Jesse Belanger
Born: June 15, 1969 (turns 52 today) in Saint-Georges, QU.
Position: Centre (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, September 16, 1996.
Oilers Career: 1996-97; 6 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Tampa Bay,. August 18, 1998.

Belanger was an undrafted centre. He started out with the Canadiens in 1990, racking up points at the AHL, but failing to make any kind of NHL impact. Things turned around when he was claimed in the 1993 expansion draft by Florida. He had his best season in 93-94 getting 50 points with the Panthers, although this would prove to be his zenith. After a brief stop in Vancouver, he signed with the Oilers in 1996 but failed to impress. He only suited up for six games with the team playing the rest of his time (in fact most of the rest of his career) in the minors. He tried Europe in 2003, returned to North America to play in the low level LNAH, and finally called it quits in 2013 (at age 44). After retiring he coached and managed in various lower level leagues in Quebec. Happy 52nd Jesse.


Dean McAmmond
Born: June 15, 1973 (turns 48 today) in Grande Cache, AB.
Position: Centre (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Chicago (with Igor Kravchuk) for Joe Murphy, February 24, 1993.
Oilers Career: 1993-94 to 1998-99; 303 games (12 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Chicago (with Jonas Elofsson, Boris Mironov, and 2nd round pick) for Daniel Cleary, Chad Kilger, Christian Laflamme, Ethan Moreau, and 2nd round pick, March 20, 1999.

McAmmond was an offensive centre out of the WHL, drafted in the 2nd round by Chicago in 1991. Before he was even out of junior, the Oilers acquired him in a trade in 1993. He would play nearly six season in Edmonton from 1993 to 1999, getting in over 300 games and having his best season in 97-98 when he managed 50 points. He was part of a blockbuster trade in 1999 that saw him return to Chicago. He played just over two year there followed by stops in Philadelphia, Calgary, Colorado, St. Louis, Ottawa, the Islanders, and finally New Jersey before he retired in 2010 being just four NHL games shy of 1000. McAmmond has recently been coaching in the Kootenay International Junior League. Happy 48th Dean.




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 Re: June 15 [message #787738 is a reply to message #787735 ]
Tue, 15 June 2021 10:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message
CrudeRemarks  is currently offline CrudeRemarks
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Was it McAmmond who the Oilers almost traded for in 2006 but they submitted the deal to the league office too late?


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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 June 16 [message #787816 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Wed, 16 June 2021 10:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv  is currently offline benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

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Five players to look back upon today, but I don't know if any will bring back too many cherished memories:


Claire Alexander
Born: June 16, 1945 (turns 76 today) in Collingwood, ON.
Position: Defenseman (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, June 16, 1978.
Oilers Career: 1978-79; 54 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Left to play in Germany in 1979.

Alexander was a right shot d-man who took one of the strangest journeys to the NHL. In the late 60s and early 70s he played senior hockey and then eventually gave it up and became a milkman in Ontario! He was convinced by the Maple Leafs to give pro hockey a try and after a couple of years in the minors (having a 60 point season from the backend) he made his Leafs' and NHL debut in 74-75 (at the age of 29). He played three years with the Leafs and then was traded to the Canucks. In his one season in Vancouver he got an impressive 26 points in 32 games (after being over a point a game guy in the minors). He signed with the Oilers for the 78-79 season and played 54 games with the team that season (getting 31 points--he didn't appear in the playoffs for them and I'm not sure why not). He went to Germany after this and eventually retired in 1982. Since retiring he did a bit of coaching in the AHL. He is also the father of former Canadian olympic medal winning rower Buffy-Lynne Williams. Happy 76th Claire.


Louis Levasseur
Born: June 16, 1949 (turns 72 today) in Noranda, QU.
Position: Goalie (catches left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Minnesota (with Mike Antonovich, Bill Butters, Jack Carlson, Steve Carlson, Dave Keon, and John McKenzie) for cash, January 1977.
Oilers Career: 1976-77; 21 games (2 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to New England for Brett Callighen, Dave Dryden, and 4th round pick, September 16, 1977.

Not much info on Levasseur. He was an undrafted goalie who put his minor league time in, and eventually got a WHA contract with Minnesota in 1976. A year later he was sold to the Oilers by the cash strapped Fighting Saints (along with a bunch of other players) where he would play 21 games (plus two more in the playoffs) in the net for the Oilers in 76-77. After the season he was dealt to the Whalers. He would also play with the Nordiques and a single game with the North Stars in the NHL. Most of this period, however he was in the minors and eventually retired in 1981. I can't find any additional info on him, but I did find some unsubstantiated rumors that the character of Denis Lemieux from Slapshot was partly based on Levasseur. I hope the last forty years have been good to you Louis and wish you a happy 72nd.


Mike Moller
Born: June 16, 1962 (turns 59 today) in Calgary, AB.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Pittsburgh for Pat Hughes, October 4, 1985.
Oilers Career: 1985-86 to 1986-87; 7 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Left for Canadian National Team in 1989.

Moller was the commonly seen guy who could put up numbers at lower levels, but couldn't quite find his place in the NHL. After a couple of years as a scorer in the WHL, Moller came up through the Sabres where he split time between Buffalo and Rochester from 1981 to 1985, getting in a total of 127 NHL games. The Oilers acquired him in 1985 and he would spend three years with the team almost all of it in Nova Scotia. He played 192 games with the baby Oilers while getting in just seven with the big club. He left for the Canadian National Team in 1988 and after a year there he played a few more games in the AHL before retiring in 1989. He has since worked in life insurance and also has done radio work as the colour man for the Red Deer Rebels. Happy 59th Mike.


Alexandre Giroux
Born: June 16, 1981 (turns 40 today) in Quebec City, QU.
Position: Centre/Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, July 3, 2010.
Oilers Career: 2010-11; 8 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Columbus, July 4, 2011.

Giroux is the very definition of career minor leaguer. After being a late round pick by the Senators in 1999 he has hung around the rinks ever since and taking whatever opportunities he can. From 2002 to 2012, Giroux played 771 AHL games, scoring 368 goals (7th in league history). His AHL success only afforded him a handful of NHL games across that time with Senators, Rangers, Capitals, Oilers, and Blue Jackets. He spent just one season with the Oilers in 2010-11 and was called up for 8 games. He moved on to Columbus and then Europe (KHL, Switzerland, and France). He returned to North America in 2018 and played a couple of years of senior hockey in Quebec before retiring last year. Happy 40th Alex.


Nikita Nikitin
Born: June 16, 1986 (turns 35 today) in Omsk, USSR.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Columbus for 5th round pick, June 25, 2014.
Oilers Career: 2014-15 to 2015-16; 53 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Went to KHL in 2016.

Nikitin was a Russian d-man who played several years in Russia before coming to North America to try out the NHL in 2010. He split his first year between the Blues and their AHL affiliate, and the next year was traded to Columbus (for Kris Russel!). The move to the Blue Jackets seemed to energize him as he had his best NHL season in 11-12 getting 32 points in 54 games. Over the next two years he regressed a bit, but the Oilers saw something they liked and acquired him, signing him to a big two year deal in 2014. His time in Edmonton was not a success; in 14-15 he was limited to only 42 games (10 points) due to injury and healthy scratches. The second year was even worse as he was relegated to Bakersfield for most of the year, playing just 11 games in Edmonton. Once his Oiler contract was up, he returned to Russia and played three more years in the KHL before retiring in 2019. Happy 35th Nikita.




Edit: added Dmitiri Samorukov, December 31, 2021.

Dmitri Samorukov
Born: June 16, 1999 (turned 22 this year) in Volgograd, Russia.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 84th overall, June 24, 2017.
Oilers Career: 2021-22 to present; 1 game and counting (0 playoff games).

Samorukov was a Russian d-man who came over to play junior in the OHL (Guelph). The Oilers took him in the 3rd round in 2017 and he's been steadily improving in his development, playing in Bakersfield and one year in the KHL. His only reason for inclusion is of course fresh in our mind as he played his first game two days ago where he got walked around twice for goals early and then was benched for the rest of the game after only 2 and a half minutes of action (all after flying in his wife to watch his NHL debut). It's almost impossible to imagine a worse start to one's NHL career, but I hope Samorukov can recover and become a valuable Oiler someday (or at least a valuable trading chip).


[Updated on: Fri, 31 December 2021 09:47]


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 Re: June 16 [message #787830 is a reply to message #787816 ]
Wed, 16 June 2021 11:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
NetBOG  is currently offline NetBOG
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2 Cups

Acquired 2 Hanson Brothers and Denis Lemieux? The '78 Oilers must have all kinds of interesting.


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 June 17 [message #787882 is a reply to message #771063 ]
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benv  is currently offline benv
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No Cups

Just the single alumnus today, but I think you will remember him:



Matt Hendricks
Born: June 17, 1981 (turns 40 today) in Blaine, Minnesota.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Nashville for Devan Dubnyk, January 15, 2014.
Oilers Career: 2013-14 to 2016-17; 214 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Winnipeg, August 26, 2017.

After being drafted in 2000, Hendricks spent four years at St. Cloud University followed by five years in the ECHL and AHL before getting his first sniff of the NHL with the Avalanche in 2009 (he was already 28). He never saw the AHL again playing the next ten years in the NHL as an NHL depth forward, moving to Washington in 2010 and Nashville in 2013. The Oilers traded for him during the 13-14 season (for Devan Dubnyk--oops) and he would spend three and a half years as an Oiler. His teammates seemed to love him and the media certainly lauded his leadership ability. After being a regular during the 14-15 and 15-16 seasons, his playing time was significantly cut during 16-17, and he played only half the games (none during that year's playoffs). He wound down his career playing with the Jets and a quick stint with the Wild before retiring in 2019. He has since taken a position in player development with the Wild. Happy 40th Matt.




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 June 18 [message #787967 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Fri, 18 June 2021 09:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv  is currently offline benv
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We continue the thread with another single alumnus today:


Jan Hejda
Born: June 18, 1978 (turns 43 today) in Prague, Czechoslovakia.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Buffalo for 7th round pick, July 10, 2006.
Oilers Career: 2006-07; 39 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Columbus, July 4, 2007.

Hejda was 28 and had played several years in the Czech Republic and Russia when the Oilers took a flyer on him, acquiring his rights from Buffalo and convincing him to join their team for the 06-07 season. He played as a depth defenseman role for them, getting in about half the games, usually on the third pair. The Oilers were not impressed enough to keep him around, and he signed with Columbus. He showed the Oilers gave up too early as he would play the next eight full years (four with Columbus and four with Colorado) in the NHL (playing 588 games) as a steady, stay at home d-man. After being demoted to the AHL in 2015 he decided to retire. He has since settled with his family in Denver and is a Director of Player Development in Edge Sports Management. Happy 43rd Jan.

[Updated on: Fri, 18 June 2021 13:16]


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 June 19 [message #788027 is a reply to message #771063 ]
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benv  is currently offline benv
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No Cups

For today's alumnus, you may not remember the player, but you're probably familiar with the statistic:



Jim Corsi
Born: June 19, 1954 (turns 67 today) in Montreal, QU.
Position: Goalie (catches left).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, October 4, 1979.
Oilers Career: 1979-80; 26 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Minnesota for future considerations, March 11, 1980.

Corsi was an undrafted goalie who started his career with the Nordiques in the WHA in 1977. He spent two years in Quebec, backing up Richard Brodeur and he would sign with the Oilers in 1979 when the WHA and NHL merged. In his only year with the Oilers, he played in 26 games as the Oilers juggled him with two other guys (Eddie Mio and Dave Dryden) trying to find a reliable tender. Corsi was sent to Minnesota when the Oilers acquired Ron Low in March. He finished the season in the minors (the Oilers are the only NHL team he played for) and then went to Italy where he spent over a decade playing goal until retiring in 1992. He immediately became a goaltending coach, starting out in the CIAU, moving to the OHL and then being hired by the Buffalo Sabres in 1998. He spent sixteen years in Buffalo until moving on to St. Louis in 2014 and then to Columbus in 2018 where he continues to coach goalies to this day. Corsi is best know for being the nameske of the Corsi analytic stat, which he proposed while with Buffalo. Happy 67th Jim.



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 June 20 [message #788053 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Sun, 20 June 2021 11:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
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No Cups

Another day, another single alumnus celebrating his birthday. I'm sure you'll remember this one from recent times:



Drake Caggiula
Born: June 20, 1994 (turns 27 today) in Pickering, ON.
Position: Right Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, May 7, 2016.
Oilers Career: 2016-17 to 2018-19; 156 games (13 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Chicago (with Jason Garrison) for Brandon Manning and Robin Norell, December 30, 2018.

Caggiula was an undrafted college player who the Oilers signed after he had a good season (51 points in 39 games) in his last year with North Dakota. He bypassed the minors jumping right into the Oilers' lineup as a guy with good speed and a smidge of offense, who could play on any of the four lines. After thriving in this role for two and a half years the Oilers (inexplicably as it seemd at the time) shipped him off to Chicago in 18-19. His numbers have declined slightly since leaving Edmonton; after a year and a half with the Hawks, he signed with the Coyotes in 2020 and finished 20-21 with the Sabres. Happy 27th Drake.




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 June 21 [message #788075 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Mon, 21 June 2021 09:25 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv  is currently offline benv
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After four straight days of single alumni, we get a feast of players today with six that have their birthday on the traditional summer solstice. Let's get to it:


Jim Benzelock
Born: June 21, 1947 (turns 74 today) in Winnipeg, MB.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right)
Acquired by Oilers: Claimed in general WHA player draft, February 12, 1972.
Oilers Career: 1972-73; 26 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Chicago for Bernie Blancehette December 27, 1972.

Benzelock was a winger playing in the minors for four years, when the formation of the WHA gave him a chance to move up. He signed with the Oilers for their inaugural season in 72-73. I have to think it was not a success as he only got 2 points in 26 games. They traded him to Chicago, and he seemed to improve getting 21 points over the rest of the season with the Cougars. He never played in the NHL but over the next five years he was up and down between the minors and the WHA playing for both Chicago and Quebec, getting in a total of 166 WHA games. He retired in 1978, returning to his home of Winnipeg and playing and coaching senior hockey. Happy 74th Jim.


Ron Low
Born: June 21, 1950 (turns 71 today) in Birtle, MB.
Position: Goalie (catches left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Quebec for Ron Chipperfield, March 11, 1980.
Oilers Career: 1979-80 to 1982-83; 67 games (3 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to New Jersey (with Jim McTaggart) for Lindsay Middlebrook and Paul Miller, February 19, 1983.
Oilers Coaching Career: 1994-95 to 1998-99; 341 games (28 playoff games)

Low was a goalie who started his NHL career with the Leafs in 72-73. He was eventually claimed by the Capitals in the expansion draft and spent three years as their main goalie (on a truly horrible team). After a year in Detroit he was claimed by the Nordiques in the expansion draft, but he only got in 15 games with them, spending some time in the minors. In a last ditch bid to solidify their goaltending and qualify for the playoffs, the Oilers dealt their captain, Ron Chipperfield, to Quebec for Low and the move amazingly worked. Low was fantastic down the stretch gong 8-2-1 and eking the Oilers into the last playoff spot. While they were swept by the first place Flyers, Low was amazing as the Flyers pounded him with shots and he kept the games close (two went to overtime--watching this series as an eight year old is one of my oldest hockey memories, so forgive my indulgence about it). Low's play slipped the following year and he was relegated to backing up for much of the year, finding at different times Eddie Mio, Gary Edwards, and Andy Moog ahead of him. In 81-82 Low spent the entire season backing up newcomer Fuhr (with Moog demoted to the AHL) and by 82-83 he was deemed expendable and dealt to the Devils. He spent two and a half years in New Jersey, splitting the net with Chico Resch. He can actually be partly blamed for the New Jersey/Gretzky "Mickey Mouse" controversy since Gretzky's comments were meant to defend his buddy Low after a 13-4 thrashing where Low let in most of the goals. Low retired in 1985. He immediately started coaching, hired by the Oilers as an assistant with Nova Scotia in 1985. He would move up to head coach (1987) then assistant with Edmonton (1989) and was finally named head coach of the Oilers near the end of the 94-95 season when they fired George Burnett. He finished the season and then four more, leading the Oilers to their two playoff upsets in 1997 and 1998. The Oilers chose not to renew his contract after the 98-99 season. He's second only to Sather and MacTavish in Oilers games coached. He would move on to be head coach of the Rangers for two years (2000 to 2002) and then moved into scouting and goaltending coach which he did for the Rangers and the Senators until he gave it all up in 2008. Hope your enjoying life Ron and happy 71st.


Ken Berry
Born: June 21, 1960 (turns 61 today) in Burnaby, BC.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Vancouver (with Garry Lariviere) for Blair MacDonald and Lars-Gunner Petersson, March 10, 1981.
Oilers Career: 1981-82 to 1983-84; 28 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Left to play for Canadian National Team in 1985.

Berry was a forward plucked as a youngster by the Oilers out of the Canucks in a mutli-player trade in 1981. He would spend four years with the organization almost all of it in the minors. He was called up to the big club for one 15 game stint in 81-82 and another 13 game stint in 83-84, but found it tough to stick around on a talented team. He eventually left in 1985 for the Canadian National Team where he played for three years. He gave the NHL another shot, signing with Vancouver in 1988 and getting in another 27 NHL games. He went to Germany in 1989 and played four year there before retiring in 1993. After, he returned to Canada and became a stockbroker; he is currently the chairman of Kootenay Silver Inc. Happy 61st Ken.


Fredrik Bremberg (nee Lindquist)
Born: June 21, 1973 (turns 48 today) in Vastertalje, Sweden.
Position: Right Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by New Jersey (with 4th and 5th round picks) for 3rd round pick, June 27, 1998.
Oilers Career: 1998-99; 8 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Left to play in Switzerland in 1999.

Lindquist was a Swedish forward who was drafted by New Jersey in 1991 but chose to stay in Sweden until 1998, when the Oilers acquired his rights and convinced him to hop over to North America. He spent his one season with the organization playing in the AHL (getting a point a game), but he did manage 8 games with the Oilers (no points). That would be it for his NHL experiment as he returned to Europe, playing one year in Switzerland and then going home to Sweden. In 2003 he married and took his wife's name "Bremberg" (very progressive of him). Bremberg would play another fourteen years in Sweden, setting the record for most points in the SEL; he retired in 2014. Happy 48th Fredrik.


Jochen Hecht
Born: June 21, 1977 (turns 44 today) in Mannheim, West Germany.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by St. Louis (with Jan Horacek and Marty Reasoner) for Michel Riesen and Doug Weight, July 1, 2001.
Oilers Career: 2001-02; 82 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Buffalo for two 2nd round picks, June 22, 2002.

Hecht was an upcoming forward with the Blues who was showing improving offense, when he was packaged to the Oilers as part of the Doug Weight trade in 2001. He settled into Edmonton, playing all 82 games in 01-02 and getting 40 points. That would be his only season in Edmonton as they traded him at the draft to Buffalo for a couple of 2nd rounders (used on Jeff Desluariers and Jarret Stoll). He would spend eleven years in Buffalo, having his best season in 06-07 (56 points). In 2013 he returned to play in Germany where he wrapped up his career before retiring in 2016. Since retiring he's worked as an assistant coach and scout in Germany. Happy 44th Jochen.


Yann Danis
Born: June 21, 1981 (turns 40 today) in Saint-Jerome, QU.
Position: Goalie (catches left).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, July 4, 2011.
Oilers Career: 2011-12 to 2012-13; 4 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Philadelphia, July 5, 2013.

Danis was an undrafted goalie who toiled many years in the AHL for the few NHL opportunities afforded him. He got his first taste of the NHL in 05-06 getting in six games with the Canadiens. After spending the next two years in the AHL he managed some traction with the Islanders, playing 31 games in 08-09 and then 12 more with New Jersey the next year. After a year in the KHL, the Oilers signed him for depth and their AHL team in 2011. He played 90 games for OKC and squeaked in 4 games with the Oilers in his two years here. He moved on in 2013 bouncing around AHL teams before retiring in 2017. He has since settled in Oklahoma with his family. Happy 40th Yann.




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 June 22 [message #788110 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Tue, 22 June 2021 09:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv  is currently offline benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

Three players with blink and you miss them tenures with Edmonton:



Mikko Luoma
Born: June 22, 1976 (turns 45 today) in Jyvaskyla, Finland.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 181st overall, June 23, 2002.
Oilers Career: 2003-04; 3 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Left to play in Sweden in 2004.

Luoma was already a 26 year old Finnish veteran defenseman when the Oilers drafted him in 2002. He came over in 2003 to try and make the NHL, but he ended up playing the entire year in the AHL with Toronto (hey, remember that one year Edmonton's farm team was in Toronto). He was called up for a three game look with the Oilers, but nothing else came of it and he decided to sign in the Swedish Elite league the following season. He carried on for thirteen more years in Europe (mostly the SEL, but other leagues too), finally retiring in 2017 at the age of 40. He is currently working as a European scout for the Chicago Black Hawks. Happy 45th Mikko.


Ilya Bryzgalov
Born: June 22, 1980 (turns 41 today) in Tolyatti, USSR.
Position: Goalie (catches left).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, November 8, 2013.
Oilers Career: 2013-14; 20 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Minnesota for 4th round pick, March 4, 2014.

Bryzgalov was a charismatic Russian goalie drafted in the 3rd round by the Ducks in 2000. After a few years in the AHL he established himself in Anaheim in 05-06, where Oiler fans remember him during the playoffs. His career really took off when he joined the Coyotes in 2007. He had four great years in the desert and parlayed it into a huge nine year contract with the Flyers in 2011. He only lasted two years before being bought out in 2013. This is where we finally get to the Oilers: after Devan Dubnyk had a rough start, they signed Bryzgalov to give Dubnyk some competition. They eventually traded Dubnyk, but Bryzgalov would follow before the season was over going to the Wild after just 20 games in Edmonton. After a short stay in Minnesota, and a brief return to Anaheim, he retired in 2015. He seems to simply be enjoying life in California. Happy 41st Ilya.


Charles Linglet
Born: June 22, 1982 (turns 39 today) in Montreal, QU.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, March 31, 2010.
Oilers Career: 2009-10; 5 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Left for KHL in 2010.

Despite a fine QMJHL season as a nineteen year old (123 points in 01-02) Linglet went undrafted, toiling his way through the ECHL and AHL. After putting up a point a game in the AHL in 09-10, the Oilers decided to take a chance on him, signing him to an NHL deal for the rest of the season. He played just five games, and got 0 points. It wasn't enough to convince the Oilers to keep him and that would be all he would ever see of the NHL; he ended up going to the KHL following the season. He has spent the last decade in different European leagues, mostly in the KHL but also stops in Switzerland, Germany, and most recently Britain (where he was still playing last year). Happy 39th Charles.




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 June 23 [message #788152 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Wed, 23 June 2021 09:37 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv  is currently offline benv
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Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

Trivia fact of the day: the 90-91 season was the only Oiler season to contain a player born on June 23. And there were two of them. Fascinating.


Kari Takko
Born: June 23, 1962 (turns 59 today) in Uusikaupunki, Finland
Position: Goalie (catches left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Minnesota for Bruce Bell, November 22, 1990.
Oilers Career: 1990-91; 11 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Left to play in Finland in 1991.

Takko was a Finnish goalie who came over to North America to play with the North Stars in 1985. He spent five plus years in the organization playing 131 games, but had found his playing time cut by the start of 90-91. the Oilers, needing a backup for Ranford with the suspension of Grant Fuhr, acquired Takko for that purpose (or they really just wanted to make the Takko-Bell trade happen). He got in only eleven games with the team (Ranford obviously played a ton), and once Fuhr was back from suspension late in the season, Takko's Oiler days were numbered. He left to play in Finland the next year, and wouldn't return to play out west again. Five years in Finland were followed by another five in Sweden before he retired in 2000. He went into scouting following retirement and is currently the director of European scouting for the Dallas Stars. Happy 59th Kari.


David Haas
Born: June 23, 1968 (turns 53 today) in Toronto, ON.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 105th overall, June 21, 1986.
Oilers Career: 1990-91; 5 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Calgary, August 10, 1993.

Bet you didn't know that Gaetan wasn't the first Haas to play for the Oilers. David Haas was drafted in the 5th round by the the Oilers as a power forward in 1986. He slowly improved his OHL numbers, getting almost 2 points a game in his last year with Windsor in 87-88. He joined the Oilers org in 88-89 and spent a full five years with them, spending basically all of it in Cape Breton. While he managed a 5 game look with the big club in 90-91, that would be all he would see of Edmonton. After a good AHL season in 92-93, he left the Oilers to sign with rival Calgary, but didn't fare any better. He would get just two games with the Flames in 93-94 and decided to go to Europe in 1995. He would play in Italy, Austria, Slovenia, and Germany before retiring in 2004. After retiring it looks like he did a bit of coaching in the AJHL and in Germany. Happy 53rd David.




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 June 24 [message #788226 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Thu, 24 June 2021 09:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv  is currently offline benv
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Location: Edmonton

No Cups

Four forwards with a birthday today; two scorers and two tough guys:


Bernie Nicholls
Born: June 24, 1961 (turns 60 today) in Haliburton, ON.
Position: Centre (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by NY Rangers (with Louie DeBrusk and Steven Rice) for Mark Messier and future considerations, October 4, 1991.
Oilers Career: 1991-92 to 1992-93; 95 games (16 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to New Jersey for Zdeno Ciger and Kevin Todd, January 13, 1993.

Shortly after being drafted in the 4th round by Los Angeles in 1980, Nicholl's career seemed to take off. He exploded onto the scene with the Kings in 81-82 getting 32 points in 22 games to start his career. He would remain a point a game player over the 80s with the Kings, getting 100 points in 84-85 and a completely out of body 150 points in 88-89 (playing with Gretzky helped a bit there). He was dealt to the Rangers the next year (when he was still averaging 1.5 points a game) and he would spend one and a half years in New York. The Oilers obtained him at the start of 91-92 as the main asset in the Messier trade. He did not endear himself to Oiler fans when he did not report immediately, citing that he wanted to wait until his pregnant wife gave birth. He finally came (about 30 games into the season) and settled in quickly forming a nice "Pipe Line" with Damphousse and Murphy that helped lead the Oilers into another long playoff run. The next year saw both his line-mates off the team and with the team in complete rebuild they eventually dealt him to New Jersey. He played another six years in the league with the Devils, Hawks, and Sharks before retiring in 1998. He's currently living in Las Vegas with wife. Happy 60th Bernie.


Bill Huard
Born: June 24, 1967 (turns 54 today) in Welland, ON.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, July 22, 1997.
Oilers Career: 1997-98 to 1998-99; 33 games (4 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Los Angeles, July 19, 1999.

Huard was a tough guy who managed to carve himself a 223 game NHL career (plus many more in the minors) during the 1990s. His first full season in the NHL was 93-94 with Ottawa. After moving on to Quebec and then Dallas, he signed with the Oilers to start the 97-98 season. While spending the entire season in Edmonton, he was an extra forward (put in the lineup when they wanted "truculence") and played only 30 games. The next year he only got in 3 games and was then demoted to the IHL. He would soon wrap up his career after one more year, retiring in 2000. All I can find on him since retirement is that he spent one year as an assistant coach with the Anaheim Jr Ducks. Happy 54th Bill.



Jarret Stoll
Born: June 24, 1982 (turns 39 today) in Melville, SK.
Position: Centre (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 36th overall, June 22, 2002.
Oilers Career: 2002-03 to 2007-08; 286 games (24 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to Los Angeles (with Matt Greene) for Lubomir Visnovsky, June 29, 2008.

The Oilers were able to draft Stoll in 2002 after the Flames failed to sign him when they drafted him in 2000. He played his first season with the Oilers in Hamilton (getting 4 games in Edmonton) but by 03-04 was a regular with the Oilers. He broke out in 05-06 getting 68 points (by far his best career season) and was a big part of the Oilers cup run. He played two more years with the Oilers and then was dealt to the Kings so the Oilers could get all star d-man Visnovsky. He made himself at home in LA, playing seven years, dating Hollywood stars and winning two cups (and getting arrested for drug possession). He wrapped up his career with the Rangers and Wild before retiring in 2016. He has since settled in Los Angeles working as a development coach with the Kings and living with his gorgeous sportscaster wife Erin Andrews--hard life. Happy 39th Jarret.



Mike Brown
Born: June 24, 1985 (turns 36 today) in Northbrook, Illinois.
Position: Right Wing (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Toronto for 4th round pick, March 4, 2013.
Oilers Career: 2012-13 to 2013-14; 35 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Traded to San Jose for 4th round pick, October 21, 2013.

Our second tough guy of the day; Brown was a sixth round pick (Vancouver 2004) who worked his way through University and the AHL to make the Canucks in 2008. He stuck around the league as a depth though guy, moving to Anaheim and then Toronto. The Oilers acquired him during the 12-13 season and he would play 35 games (1 goal, 72 PIMs) for them before they shipped him off to the Sharks during the 13-14 season. After three years in San Jose, a brief stop in Montreal and year in the AHL he retired in 2017. He worked briefly as an assistant in Illinois 15U AAA, but otherwise not much info on him. Happy 36th Kevin.




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 Re: June 24 [message #788229 is a reply to message #788226 ]
Thu, 24 June 2021 10:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Adam  is currently offline Adam
Messages: 6765
Registered: August 2005
Location: Edmonton, AB

6 Cups

benv wrote on Thu, 24 June 2021 09:57


The Oilers were able to draft Stoll in 2002 after the Flames failed to sign him when they drafted him in 2000. He played his first season with the Oilers in Hamilton (getting 4 games in Edmonton) but by 03-04 was a regular with the Oilers. He broke out in 05-06 getting 68 points (by far his best career season) and was a big part of the Oilers cup run. He played two more years with the Oilers and then was dealt to the Kings so the Oilers could get all star d-man Visnovsky. He made himself at home in LA, playing seven years, dating Hollywood stars and winning two cups (and getting arrested for drug possession). He wrapped up his career with the Rangers and Wild before retiring in 2016. He has since settled in Los Angeles working as a development coach with the Kings and living with his gorgeous sportscaster wife Erin Andrews--hard life. Happy 39th Jarret.



I still remember thinking it was pretty surreal running in to Rachel Hunter (with Jarret Stoll) in Ricky's All-Day Grill in downtown Edmonton. They were sat in the booth next to us, and when she walked by I thought - why does that lady look familiar...and then I saw him and it all clicked.



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

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 Re: June 24 [message #788272 is a reply to message #788229 ]
Thu, 24 June 2021 16:29 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Dragon_Matt  is currently offline Dragon_Matt
Messages: 702
Registered: January 2009
Location: edmonton

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who wouldn't recognize Stacy's mom?


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 Re: June 24 [message #788278 is a reply to message #788272 ]
Thu, 24 June 2021 18:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
welcometotheOC  is currently offline welcometotheOC
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Location: Also, sadly, Cowtown

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Dragon_Matt wrote on Thu, 24 June 2021 16:29

who wouldn't recognize Stacy's mom?


Yeah, and last I saw she’s still got it goin’ on 😉



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 Re: June 24 [message #788293 is a reply to message #788272 ]
Fri, 25 June 2021 09:26 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Adam  is currently offline Adam
Messages: 6765
Registered: August 2005
Location: Edmonton, AB

6 Cups

Dragon_Matt wrote on Thu, 24 June 2021 16:29

who wouldn't recognize Stacy's mom?


I think you just don't expect to see supermodels at Ricky's All-Day Grill in Edmonton, so it's harder to place them.

She was a good looking older woman, but I will say, she wasn't the show-stopper that Izabella Scorupco was.



"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
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 Re: June 24 [message #788274 is a reply to message #788229 ]
Thu, 24 June 2021 17:25 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv  is currently offline benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

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Adam wrote on Thu, 24 June 2021 10:45

benv wrote on Thu, 24 June 2021 09:57


The Oilers were able to draft Stoll in 2002 after the Flames failed to sign him when they drafted him in 2000. He played his first season with the Oilers in Hamilton (getting 4 games in Edmonton) but by 03-04 was a regular with the Oilers. He broke out in 05-06 getting 68 points (by far his best career season) and was a big part of the Oilers cup run. He played two more years with the Oilers and then was dealt to the Kings so the Oilers could get all star d-man Visnovsky. He made himself at home in LA, playing seven years, dating Hollywood stars and winning two cups (and getting arrested for drug possession). He wrapped up his career with the Rangers and Wild before retiring in 2016. He has since settled in Los Angeles working as a development coach with the Kings and living with his gorgeous sportscaster wife Erin Andrews--hard life. Happy 39th Jarret.



I still remember thinking it was pretty surreal running in to Rachel Hunter (with Jarret Stoll) in Ricky's All-Day Grill in downtown Edmonton. They were sat in the booth next to us, and when she walked by I thought - why does that lady look familiar...and then I saw him and it all clicked.


For some reason I was thinking that he didn't start dating her until he was in LA, but now I remember that it was while he was still with the Oilers.



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 Re: June 24 [message #788281 is a reply to message #788274 ]
Thu, 24 June 2021 20:29 Go to previous messageGo to next message
smyth260  is currently offline smyth260
Messages: 936
Registered: November 2007

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I just wanna know how a hockey player from Melville Saskatchewan got into the supermodel dating scene.


Clean house or bust

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 June 25 [message #788292 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Fri, 25 June 2021 09:24 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv  is currently offline benv
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Location: Edmonton

No Cups

Two players today. Lots of similarities; both are American left shot defenesmen who came out of US college hockey and fought their way to the NHL.



Todd Reirden
Born: June 25, 1971 (turns 50 today) in Deerfield, Illinois.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, September 17, 1998.
Oilers Career: 1998-99; 17 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Claimed on waivers by St. Louis, September 30, 1999.

Reirden had a long trek to the NHL. He was drafted in 1990 and after nearly decade in college, ECHL, AHL, and IHL he would make his NHL debut with the Oilers in 98-99 at the age of 27. He still spent most of the year in Hamilton, but got in 17 games with the Oilers. He would sign with the Blues the next year and actually managed to stick around in the big leagues for a couple of years, moving to the Thrashers in 01-02. After that he wound down his career mostly in the minors and a brief stop in Europe before retiring in 2007. He immediately got into coaching, where he had a lot more success. He worked his way up through the AHL and became an assistant with the Penguins from 2010 to 2014 before moving on to Washington where he was eventually named head coach in 18-19. He was fired after 19-20 and is currently back with the Penguins as an assistant. Happy 50th Todd.


Jordan Oesterle
Born: June 25, 1992 (turns 29 today) in Dearborn Hieghts, Michigan.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, March 31, 2014.
Oilers Career: 2014-15 to 2016-17; 25 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Signed as free agent by Chicago, July 1, 2017.

Oesterle was an undrafted blueliner who the Oilers signed out of college in 2014. He spent three years with the organization playing in the AHL with OKC and then Bakersfield. He was called up during each of the three seasons, getting in a total of 25 games. He left in 2017 signing with the Blackhawks and has managed to stay in the NHL ever since. After a year in Chicago, he has spent the past three years with Arizona as a regular blueliner as his career continues there. Happy 29th Jordan.




Edit: added Philip Broberg, December 31, 2021.

Philip Broberg
Born: June 25, 2001 (turned 20 this year) in Orebro, Sweden.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 8th overall, June 21, 2019.
Oilers Career: 2021-22 to present; 8 games and counting (0 playoff games).

Broberg was a top prospect d-man out of Sweden, who was Ken Holland's first big move as GM when he drafted Broberg 8th overall in 2019. It's difficult to see from raw numbers why he was so coveted, but since coming over to North America this year he's gotten his legs and seems to be a steady presence. He's recently played his first 8 games in the NHL (making him the first and only so far Oiler to be born in the 21st century) and certainly held his own. I expect we will be getting a steady dose of Broberg over the next many years in Edmonton.


[Updated on: Fri, 31 December 2021 09:48]


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 June 26 [message #788321 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Sat, 26 June 2021 11:49 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
benv  is currently offline benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

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Today's two players represent the first and latest generations with Morris being exactly three times as old as Bear.



Bill Morris
Born: June 26, 1949 (turns 72 today) in Toronto, ON.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, October 1974.
Oilers Career: 1974-75; 36 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Not re-signed following 74-75 season.

Morris was an undrafted winger who was the son of former Edmonton Eskimo Frank Morris. Can't find a lot of info on him; he played one season in the WHA with the Oilers in 74-75, appearing in 36 games and getting 12 points. That would be his only major pro experience as he spent the rest of his career from 1971 to 1977 in the minors. It looks like he made a comeback attempt in the early 80s playing in the ACHL, but it didn't last long. Hope you've been well these last forty years Bill--happy 72nd.


Ethan Bear
Born: June 26, 1997 (turns 24 today) in Regina, SK.
Position: Defenseman (shoots right).
Acquired by Oilers: Drafted 124th overall, June 27, 2015.
Oilers Career: 2017-18 to present; 132 games and counting (8 playoff games).


Bear was a 5th round 2015 pick by the Oilers. His stock rose immediately after being drafted as he had two all star seasons with Seattle in the WHL. He joined the Oilers in 17-18 and got in 18 games with Edmonton while playing the rest in Bakersfield. He spent the entire 18-19 season with the Condors, but took a huge step during the 2019 training camp and has stuck with the Oilers ever since. 19-20 was his best season, where despite his youth he always seemed a calm and steadying presence in his own zone. This past season was definitely not as good, but it will be interesting to see how he continues to progress in the future. Have a great 24th today Ethan.

June 27 is an alumni birthday free day, so I get Sunday off. Be back Monday with more.




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 Re: The 2021 Edmonton Oilers' Birthday thread [message #788346 is a reply to message #771063 ]
Mon, 28 June 2021 09:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
benv  is currently offline benv
Messages: 546
Registered: May 2006
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

You win credit as a true old school hard core Oiler fan if you can remember even one of today's three birthday boys:


Howie Colborne
Born: June 28, 1950 (turns 71 today) in Peace River, AB.
Position: Left Wing (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Signed as free agent, July 1973.
Oilers Career: 1973-74; 2 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Not re-signed following 73-74 season.

There's almost nothing online about Colborne. He played from about 1970 to 1978 in mostly low level minor leagues. He was somehow able to get in two games with the WHA Oilers in 1973-74, but there would be no other appearances at a major league level. Wikipedia tells he his still alive, so I'll wish you a happy 71st today Howie.


Murray Kennett
Born: June 28, 1952 (turns 69 today) in Kamloops, BC.
Position: Defenseman (shoots left).
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by Indianapolis (with future considerations) for Ron Buchanan, January 23, 1975.
Oilers Career: 1974-75 to 1975-76; 78 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Retired in 1977.

Not much info on Kennett either. After playing with Victoria in the WCHL, he played a couple of years in the minors before getting a shot with Indianapolis in the WHA in 1974. Halfway through the year he was traded to the Oilers and his numbers actually seemed to improve (4 points in 28 games with the Racers; 18 in 50 with the Oilers). He would split the 75-76 season between Edmonton and the minors, and then spend the entire 76-77 in the minors, after which he ended his playing career. I can find no other info on him--like Colborne he appears to still be alive, so happy 69th Murray.



Lance Nethery
Born: June 28, 1957 (turns 64 today) in Toronto, ON.
Position: Centre (shoots left)
Acquired by Oilers: Traded by NY Rangers for Eddie Mio, December 11, 1981.
Oilers Career: 1981-82; 3 games (0 playoff games).
Left Oilers: Left to play in Germany in 1982.

Nethery was a center drafted in the 8th round by the Rangers in 1977. After tearing up Cornell University over two season (148 points in 53 games) he entered the Rangers' system playing in the AHL and eventually getting the call up for 33 games with New York in 80-81 (getting 23 points). He found himself on the bubble the next year, and was dealt early in the season to the Oilers. He only played in 3 games with the strong 81-82 Oiler squad and was demoted to their CHL Wichita team for the rest of it. When he couldn't crack the Oilers in 82-83 either, he decided to head for Germany. He seems to have quit in 1983, but came back in 85-86, finishing his career in the Swiss league before retiring in 1988. After retiring, Nethery has coached and managed for the past thirty years, mostly in Germany. He started coaching in Switzerland, but moved to Germany in 1993 where he has coached and managed many different teams. Most recently he coached in Fuchse Duisburgh during the 18-19 season. Happy 64th Lance--you're the baby of today's group.




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