Randy SavoieOn Tuesday, the Edmonton Oilers announced their roster for the 2015 Rookie Camp and Young Stars Classic. The University of Alberta Golden Bears hockey team will face Connor McDavid and the Oilers rookie squad at Rexall Place for the first time ever on Sept. 16. The game has historically been played in Clare Drake Arena, but was moved this year largely to accommodate the high demand to see the Oilers’ saviour live.
Forward – Connor McDavid
The main attraction, and arguably the best prospect in hockey since Sidney Crosby, McDavid amassed 120 points in 47 games with the Erie Otters in the regular season, and also put up over a goal-per-game in the playoffs last year. He has the hands and skating to be among the best in the NHL as an 18-year old, making McDavid worth the price of admission alone.
Forward – Leon Draisaitl
After a disappointing debut in the NHL last season, the big centre returned to junior and was dominant for the Kelowna Rockets. Draisaitl worked on his skating and two-way game and earned the rights of WHL Playoff MVP and the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as the MVP of the Memorial Cup. Draisaitl provides the Oilers with the size and skill they have been sorely lacking in recent years, and could be featured on the wing as an early look to where he may fit in the Oilers top-six.
Forward – Anton Slepyshev
Slepyshev’s stats don’t look that impressive, as he amassed just 25 points in 58 games last season, but the 21-year old Russian led his KHL team in even-strength goal scoring, in a league that isn’t favourable towards younger players. The 6’2 skilled-winger has the opportunity to be noticed playing for the Oiler’s American Hockey League affiliate in Bakersfield this season, especially with the need for cheap, young players in the future when Edmonton’s cap situation tightens up after McDavid’s entry-level contract ends.
Defenceman – Loik Léveillé
Léveillé is a training camp-invite after being passed over in the NHL entry draft in 2015. The stocky defensemen checks in at 6’0″ and 223 pounds, and put up solid numbers for Cape Breton in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Léveillé has the best odds to earn a contract as he provides an area of need being an offensive defensemen that could play on the power-play.
Goaltender – Eetu Laurikainen
Laurikainen comes to camp recently-signed after posting a 0.933 save percentage in Finland’s top hockey league, the SM-Liiga. Laurikainen’s success is encouraging, as other Finnish goalies who have gone on to the NHL via the SM-Liiga include Kari Lehtonen, Karri Ramo, and Tuuka Rask. Laurikainen will likely back-up Laurent Brossoit in the American Hockey League for the 2015-16 season, but fills an important position with Edmonton’s shallow goaltending depth.
