The Edmonton Oilers 2017 Rookie Camp roster taking part in the Young Stars Classic from Sept. 8-11 in Penticton, B.C. is being highlighted by the newest draft pick.
Kailer Yamamoto was drafted by the Oilers 22nd overall in the 2017 Entry Draft. The five-foot-eight, 153-pound right winger registered 42 goals and 99 points with the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs last season.
The Oilers released their full roster on Tuesday.
During Oilers NOW with Bob Stauffer on Tuesday afternoon, Oilers director of player personnel Bob Green said this is a good chance for Yamamoto to gain some confidence ahead of main camp later this month.
“We think that he is going to fight for a job. I would never bet against a kid with as much ability as he has.”
“It’s not going to be easy for him, but he’s going to come in and compete hard,” Green said. “He is going to have the attitude that he’s coming here to make the hockey club and we will see where it goes with him.”
LISTEN: Bob Green speaks with Bob Stauffer on Oilers NOW!
Overall the roster includes 16 forwards, nine defenceman, and three goaltenders.
Oilers’ 2016 second round pick Tyler Benson is listed on the roster, but it doesn’t sound like he will see any game action in Penticton.
“His status right now is that we are trying to make it so that he can start the season with the Vancouver Giants,” Green said. “He’s progressing nicely after the surgeries that he’s had. Hopefully all that is behind him now and he can just look ahead to playing and not worry about any of those things.”
There was some chatter about Jesse Puljujarvi taking part in the tournament, but the Oilers have elected to leave him in Edmonton.
Puljujarvi was drafted 4th overall by the Oilers in the 2016 NHL Draft and stared in this tournament a year ago. He went on to play 28 games with the Oilers last season and 39 games with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors.
“I don’t think it really served a purpose to have him there,” explained Green. “He had enough time in the NHL and AHL last season. I think his focus has to be on making our hockey club this year and not going to our tournament.”
The rookies will take part in medical testing on Thursday at Rogers Place and then fly to Penticton later that night.
The first game for the Oilers will be against the Calgary Flames on Friday at 5 p.m. That game will be broadcast live on 630CHED.
The Oilers will also play the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday and the Vancouver Canucks on Monday. The game against the Canucks will also be broadcast live on 630 CHED at 3 p.m.
The rookie squad will also take on the MacEwan-NAIT All-Star Team on Sept. 13 at Rogers Place.