Advertisement

Ty Rattie raring to roll after signing new deal with Edmonton Oilers

Vancouver Canucks' goalie Anders Nilsson (31) makes the save on Edmonton Oilers' Ty Rattie (8) during second period NHL action in Edmonton, Alta., on Saturday April 7, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

After signing a new one-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers on the weekend, Ty Rattie had no doubt who was he going to tell first.

His dad.

“He was definitely my first call,” Rattie said. “He drove me to practice. He coached the teams. He did everything. I can’t say enough good things about what he did for my career. Those calls that you make after you sign deals like that, those are the calls that put a smile on your face.”

Rattie’s parents, Rob and Shauna, remain his biggest supporters. They were watching every shift as Rattie put up nine points in the Oilers final 12 games.

Story continues below advertisement

Rattie, who had been called up from the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors, found himself on a line with Connor Mcdavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for most of those games.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“Over the first two games, I started to learn you just can’t crowd him (McDavid). When he has the puck, you have to just move away. He can beat guys himself. Most guys in the league, you need to support. With McDavid, you have to spread out,” explained Rattie.

In his year-end news conference last week, Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli called Rattie “a very cerebral player. He moves the puck well.”

However, Chiarelli added: “We delayed bringing him up. His defensive game, for the longest time in Bakersfield, struggled.”

“I was in a top offensive role and maybe you start to cheat a little bit more than you should,” said Rattie on his time with the Condors. “I’ve gotten better with my defensive game. I know I can do it. I just have to do it game-in and game-out.”

Story continues below advertisement

Rattie, 25, will make $800,000 next season. With just 49 NHL games under his belt, he hopes 2018/19 is the one where he becomes a full-time NHLer.

One thing is for sure, his parents will be watching every game.

Sponsored content

AdChoices