COLLEGE MEN
By Lowetide
7 years agoIt is August and the summer is high, across North America people are enjoying the warmth of the sun and the gifts provided only at this time of year. For Edmontonians, along with the lake, fishing, football and finding a patio around noon, another college free agent and his pending (Benning) decision are the topic of conversation. The Oilers—blame McDavid and the rink—are suddenly popular for college men.
THIS SUMMER
Peter Chiarelli has been busy since arriving as general manager of the Edmonton Oilers, and a lot of his prospect procurement has come via college kids. The 2014 NHL entry draft—if you have an explanation for the town team’s actions that weekend, please pass along—was not strong on obvious pro prospects and that meant there was a lot to make up for this summer.
While other NHL teams were signing their 2014 picks who were graduating junior and European leagues, the Oilers moved nary a muscle Instead, Peter Chiarelli signed graduating college free agents:
- Bob McKenzie on Drake Caggiula: In spite of his size – barely 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds – Caggiula
plays a hard game, looks for big hits and plays with a hard-edged focus
that is the by-product of a lifetime of being told he’s too small to
make the next level. Source - Chris Dilks, SB Nation on goalie Nick Ellis: Ellis
spent the past two seasons waiting in the wings behind superstar goalie
Jon Gillies at Providence. But this year, as the team’s top goalie,
he’s been able to shine. Ellis brings a good mix of size and athleticism
and has been very effective in net all season. - Chris Dilks, SB Nation on Patrick Russell: Russell is big bodied offensive forward who excels in the offensive zone. He is not a fantastic skater, but his ability to find open space and move his feet and find open spaces in front of the net make him a dangerous offensive threat. Source
- C-L Joey Benik—An AHL contract, Benik is a small (5.10, 174) and quite skilled. Lit up college hockey and will play for Bakersfield.
The 2014 draft gave the Oilers Leon Draisaitl and William Lagesson who looks like he will have a pro career. After that? Well, they got some value for Liam Coughlin and we will just have to wait on the college men Edmonton drafted that summer. Chiarelli added some interesting pieces via college free agency and we will see them in the ECHL, AHL and eventually (maybe) the NHL.
Since the turn of the century, the Oilers have signed several productive college free agents:
- Mike Bishai—he of the famous fight against Serge Aubin of the Atlanta Thrashers in an NHL game. Bishai was on the Thrashers bench for much of it. That video features a couple of impressive rights from the goalie.
- Ty Conklin—A productive NHL goalie, his most famous Oilers moment lives with us all.
- Nate DiCasmirro—He was an original Toronto Roadrunner and Edmonton Roadrunner.
- Jacob Micflikier—Best name in pro hockey for a time.
- Bryan Lerg—Failed as an Oilers prospect, then made it to the NHL for the expressed purpose of scoring on them.
- Taylor Fedun—A solid pro defender, climbed a big hill to make it.
- Mark Arcobello—A pretty successful signing, he made it a long damned way.
- Andrew Miller—Came along to remind us Mark Arcobello.
- Justin Schultz—That first pro season was fabulous, but it did not end well for him in Edmonton. Had a dream ending to last season by winning Stanley.
These men signed with the Oilers and had an impact at the pro level. Peter Chiarelli had no natural signing signing season this year because the 2014 draft didn’t grow—so he signed some college free agents to make up for it. We wait. Perhaps another one will land soon.
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