National Hockey League: Edmonton Oilers updates–Ryan O’Marra, Gregory Stewart, Theo Peckham recalled
Centre Ryan O’Marra
On Friday, the Edmonton Oilers announced that the 23 year old centre, Ryan O’Marra, had been re-signed for a 1 year contract.
Ryan played briefly in the NHL in 2009-2010 with just 3 games in that season. In those three games, Ryan managed an assist and scored his first NHL point. Ever since those three games, O’Marra has been consumed with the desire to play the NHL again. “It’s like a drug, you just want more,” he said. O’Marra said that playing in the NHL was an accomplishment for him, but more importantly it brought him face to face with the realization that he wanted a place for himself in the NHL.
O’Marra came to the Oilers through trade with the New York Islanders, who picked him in the first round of the 2005 entry level draft. In addition to the 3 NHL games he played for the Oilers, he played another 74 with the American Hockey League, where he scored 12 goals and 18 points.
Centre Gregory Stewart
Another free agent caught in the Oilers web: Friday saw Gregory Stewart sign a one year contract with the Edmonton Oilers according to an announcement by Oilers General Manager Steve Tambellini. Stewart has played 26 games in the NHL for the Montreal Canadiens, and so far has only one assist to his credit. That one point didn’t come in his last season with the Canadiens, where he played only 5 games.
His AHL performance wasn’t particularly better either. A mere 11 points in 54 games in the 2009-2010 season does not make him the next rising star of the NHL. However, the six foot two, 197 lb forward does add depth to the Oiler’s lacking centre. Stewart was an eighth round draft pick in 2004 for the Canadiens. He didn’t see enough ice time with the Canadiens, but given the right opportunities, the 24-year-old could mature into a game winning forward.
Oilers General Manager has been careful to avoid flashy signings. In this week Tambellini has resigned four low price players in the shape of defenseman Ryan O’Marra, Shawn Belle, goalie Devan Dubnyk, and winger J.F Jacques.
Defenseman Theo Peckham
Yesterday, defenseman Theo Peckham was included to the Oilers defence after signing a two way contract with them. Peckham would be in the running for the sixth spot on the blue line along with the recently signed Belle.
Peckham is a blunt tool but a very effective one. He managed 43 PIM in just 15 games while averaging 16 minutes per game. With him, the Oilers just added brute strength and a violent pursuer of the puck to their defence. His kind of play comes with its costs though. The defenseman sprained his ankle, suffered a concussion, hurt his knee and dislocated his shoulder all in one season.
Peckham said that he used his time on the ice to show what he has to offer. He said that the Oilers clearly wanted a bulky end and Vandermeer, Strudwick and he were to fill that defensive role. “The top four are puck-movers, the bottom two should be bruisers,” he said.
Assistant Coach Kelly Buchberger and Steve Smith
Oilers announced that Kelly Buchberger and Steve Smith would be coming on board the Oilers behind head coach Tom Renney. Renney said that both new assistants were experienced, had played in the NHL for a long time, and had served as Captains too.
Buchberger and Renney had served under previous Head Coach Quinn as assistants and associate coaches. Renney took over as head coach after Quinn relinquished the position.
Gerry Fleming was offered a contract for the Oilers which he wasn’t interested in, and that opened up the path for Steve Smith to get a position with the Oilers. In Renney’s opinion, Steve would be “an excellent” fit for the Oilers and admired his work with the Stanley Cup winners, Chicago Blackhawks.
Smith played 804 NHL games before retiring due to back problems. In his career, he won the Stanley cup three times for the Oilers, scored 72 goals and 303 assists.
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