EDMONTON – The iconic oil derrick that for years has been part of the Edmonton Oilers pre-game introductions has been cleared for use after a scary incident earlier in the week.
The derrick is lowered to the ice just before the players are introduced. After they skate through it, it is hoisted back to its resting place above the scoreboard.
During the Oilers October 17 game hosting the Nashville Predators, the structure malfunctioned and was sent swinging toward the Oilers bench and nearby seats.
Get breaking National news
“I didn’t see what happened, I just heard it bang off the boards,” Oilers winger Ryan Jones said of the incident. “I got the hell out of there.”
For the past two days Oilers staff, along with representatives from Aquila Productions and Northlands, inspected the structure’s cables and motors and reviewed operating procedures and have cleared the derrick for use.
“It has been a long few days, however we are very pleased with the process that has taken place, including the approval we received from the Occupational Health and Safety Board,” said Oilers president Patrick LaForge in a news release issued late Thursday. “Ensuring the safety of everyone inside Rexall Place is, and always will be our main objective.”
The release did not specify what caused Monday’s malfunction.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.