head coach: Ron Low

roster: C - Doug Weight, Jason Arnott, Todd Marchant, Steve Kelly, Boyd Devereaux. LW - Dean McAmmond, Rem Murray, Ryan Smyth, Mats Lindgren, Bill Huard, Joe Hulbig, Ray Whitney. RW -, Mike Grier, Andrei Kovalenko, Kelly Buchberger, Dennis Bonvie. D - Drew Bannister, Drake Berehowsky, Sean Brown, Greg deVries, Kevin Lowe, Bryan Marchment, Boris Mironov. G - Curtis Joseph, Bob Essensa.

injuries: Rem Murray, lw (cracked bone in left wrist, out two weeks).

transactions: None.

standings:

GP   W   L   T   PTS   GF   GA   HOME      ROAD
 3   1   2   0     2    7   14  0-2-0     1-0-0

game results:

10/1 at San Jose  W 5-3
10/3 Detroit      L 8-2
10/5 Colorado     L 3-0    

team news:

by Simon D. Lewis, Edmonton Oilers

Future’s So Bright

So, the Oilers strap on the pads for a new season. As usual in October, there’s lots of positive talk going on. "This should be the season when the boys in blue take another step toward the status of bona fide contenders." "Jason Arnott’s going to take over and become a dominant player." "It’s time for all that young blood to mature and play like we know they can."

And of course, there’s the issue of ownership. The team is for sale and, at this point, there have been two offers made from local groups. There’s a dearth of information about the bidders. Everyone’s playing it close to the chest. Local speculation wonders if the expansion money coming to the team in the next year or two could be a deal breaker. Some think that the current owner, Peter Pocklington, may well want to keep that money. It’s all pretty murky at the moment. Watch this space.

Shaky Start

Going down to San Jose for a win in the season opener was a pleasant road trip. The young Oilers continued to bask in the glow of last spring’s playoff run. A win...this was the way it was supposed to be.

But just a second, boys. Remember last year when you didn’t beat the Wings or the Avalanche one time? Well, guess who your first two home game are against? Gut check time...right?

Stevie Y. and the champion Red Wings came in and laid a real licking on the Oilers to the tune of 8-2. The locals were out of sync all night. Detroit came in waves and wouldn’t quit until the game was out of sight.

Two nights later Patrick Roy and the Avalanche showed up and won 3-0. Number 33 was stellar between the pipes for the Avs. The Oilers couldn’t score but they made Roy work very hard for his shutout. Edmonton got lots of chances including eight power plays. Coach Ron Low felt his team wasn’t good enough five-on-five. When Colorado got their chances they buried them.

New Faces

The guy who is really making heads turn is defenceman Drake Berehowsky. Leaf fans will remember him as the first rounder who was chewed up and spat out of the sinkhole that is Toronto hockey. He’s been in the IHL for the last few years and made the Oilers as a walk on. He scored in the opener and has been about the best D-man in the first three games.

Other new faces on defence are Sean Brown and Drew Bannister who were around during the playoffs last year. Up front, Joe Hulbig, Steve Kelly and Dennis Bonvie have come up through the system. Bonvie is the designated pugilist, inheriting the mantle from the reluctant Louie Debrusk, who has already been sent down to the farm by Tampa Bay.

Another addition up front is Boyd Devereaux, a rookie who Ron Low just can’t leave off the team right now.

Ray Whitney used to be the Oilers’ stick boy back in the glory days. He made the pros in San Jose but couldn’t stick on the team. This fall he made the Oilers. It’s hard to believe that a guy with this much heart and talent couldn’t play in the Shark tank.

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