THE ROSTER

1. G Shane Starrett, 23. Starrett comes out of college with a solid resume, easily the most experienced goalie heading to the tournament. With three goalies, he may get only one start.
2. G Dylan Wells, 19. Stopped 25 of 28 in his first outing for Peterborough in preseason. One of a few Oilers prospects who may be at the World Juniors over Christmas and into the New Year.
3. G Stuart Skinner, 18. Stopped 39 of 43 in his first pre-season game for the Lethbridge Hurricanes, also has a chance to make the World Juniors.
4. LD Caleb Jones. He turns pro and will be a feature player at the tournament this weekend. Jason Gregor told us this morning he’s breathing easier now after surgery.
5. RD Ethan Bear. He should get plenty of playing time at rookie camp and in the McEwan-Nait game, Bear should be effective in all disciplines this weekend. Has a great shot.
6. LD William Lagesson. He will be playing pro hockey with Djurgardens of the SHL (Sweden’s best league) this season. This is likely our only chance to see him this year.
7. LD Ziyat Paigin. He should dominate at this tournament and will be interesting to watch in main camp. Paigin has played a lot in the KHL and may get some power-play time at this tournament. A massive shot, exceptional wingspan.
8. RD Ryan Mantha. Duplicates Bear’s skill set and he is a year older. I’m not sure if there will be enough 5×4 for both righthanders to get playing time. Impressed in his final season of junior, mobility had been a concern. Training camp will be a test.
9. LD Dmitri Samorukov. Corey Pronman says he’s mobile and smart, Oilers clearly agree after signing him to an entry-level deal today (way early for a third rounder chosen in June). Samorukov’s scouting reports are glowing, he will be a player to track at this tournament.
10. RD Sahvan Khaira, INVITE. Huge defender (and Jujhar’s brother) who seems to have played with more of an edge late in 2017 spring. There was a buzz about him during the playoffs, Guy Flaming told me on the Lowdown he was surprised Khaira went undrafted by the NHL this summer.
11. LD Liam Schioler. INVITE. He’s a big defender, rugged and capable in coverage. Lacks the skill level of the players who will line up with him at this tournament.
12. RD Austin Strand. INVITE. He has size, grit and skates well. That’s a fine combination. He isn’t a top flight puck mover or passer, but is an intelligent player and doesn’t make a lot of mistakes.
13. LC Joe Gambardella, 23. I think he could get some NHL time this year and he should be one of the more conspicuous Oilers at the tournament. Both Drake Caggiula and Matt Benning (college men like Gambardella) played in this tournament a year ago and used it as a springboard to prime NHL time.
14. LC Lane Bauer. INVITE. Smart center spent most of his junior career with the Oil Kings. He’s 21 now so looking for a contract, maybe he can parlay a strong performance into a pro contract (AHL deal?).
15. RC Austin Glover, INVITE. A 6.02, 187 center with good speed and two-way reputation. Headed to UBC after this camp according to elite prospects.
16. C-W Davis Koch. INVITE.  Edmonton Oil Kings forward gets a chance to play with the big club this weekend, he’s a talented and smart player.
17. RC Steve Owre. INVITE. WHL skill center is now finished in junior about to join the Golden Bears.
18. LC Brandon Saigeon. INVITE. He scored 49 points in 66 games this past season. He has good size, reasonable speed and is one of the more promising prospects among this group based on the numbers.
19. RC Ethan Szypula. INVITE. Undersized forward with skill, a chip on his shoulder and a plus shot.
20. L Tyler Benson. Talented winger can’t get out of the gate due to injury. He needs to play. Hit 2.71/60 at 5×5 (estimate) on Prospect-Stats.
21. L Kirill Maksimov. He should be one of the most skilled forwards in Edmonton’s camp, ripped through the OHL at the end of the season and in the playoffs.
22. L Evan Polei. He is 6.02, 227 and has good hands. Signed to an AHL deal and on his way to Bakersfield sometime during main camp. He should be very noticeable at this camp.
23. L Luke Coleman. INVITE. Throwback winger who patrols his wing and shoots the puck a lot, the Oilers have a lot of size (6.02, 194) on the wings.
24. L Grayson Pawlenchuk, INVITE. He’s an effective two-way winger in the WHL and should get plenty of work in Penticton. One of the few wingers under six feet (5.11, 185) on this roster.
25. R Kailer Yamamoto. Yamamoto is high skill, amazing talent. I think he’ll put his stamp on this tournament, especially if these Oilers get some power-play time. Jesse Puljujarvi had his moments a year ago, Yamamoto is less physical but more dynamic and that may benefit him this weekend.
26. R Ostap Safin. Has impressive size (6.04, 198) and foot speed, always a good combination. Safin also has a good shot and will be one to watch this weekend.
27. R Chad Butcher. Small winger (5.10, 172) was a Penticton invite one year ago. Speed main weapon, he posted more than 100 points this year. He has an AHL contract.
28. R Trey Fix-Wolansky. INVITE. He’s 5.08, 165 and highly skilled. I don’t know how much power-play time he’ll get (Yamamoto is the feature player) but he’s a fun player to watch.