Usually at this time of the year, we get to watch the return of hockey in the form of the Young Stars Classic held in Pentiction. That showcase was cancelled for 2025, leaving us devoid of prospect content to kick off the season.
Luckily, the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames decided to hold their own tournament, with just them. A little Battle of Alberta to get back into the hockey mood.
This weekend, one game in Edmonton on Friday, September 12. And one game in Calgary on Sunday, September 14. Two games to give some of the best prospects in both organizations a chance to don their (hopeful) future team’s colours and participate in one of hockey’s greatest rivalries.
Earlier this morning, the Oilers released their roster for this weekend’s games.
Edmonton Oilers rookie camp roster analysis
This will be a huge showcase for Matthew Savoie and Isaac Howard. They will be expected to lead this team and show off their talents as the top two ranked prospects in the organization. Both of them are projected to make the opening day roster, possibly even in top-six roles. A strong weekend to lead into training camp will bode well for confidence in these two early on.
The Oilers have taken a bit of a different direction for replenishing their prospect pool. They’ve spent some time signing free agents farther along in the development curve and who can hopefully make an impact sooner. This will be another chance for Quinn Hutson to settle into the organization after signing late last season, as well as the first chance for Josh Samanski, Viljami Marjala, and Damien Carfagna to play as an Oiler.
The Oilers do not quite have the prospect pool participation to fill this camp roster, as they only have two of their own defenders in the lineup, the aforementioned Carfagna and Beau Akey. There are eight total players on camp invites on this roster.
In net, there is actually a bit of a battle for playing time brewing. Three goalies will be battling for starting jobs in the AHL and ECHL. Samuel Jonsson, fresh off of an incredible breakout season in Sweden last year, has made the journey to North America. Nathaniel Day is turning pro after concluding his junior career. And Connor Ungar is hoping to develop a bit further after a solid professional debut in the ECHL last season.
All-in-all, it will be a tough series against the Flames, who now have a significantly stronger prospect pool than the Oilers. But it will give us a chance to see what some of these players have.
Who are you most excited to watch? Drop a comment down below!
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