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The Edmonton Oilers had 10 players that spent the year in one of the three major junior leagues in Canada during 2005-06. Some of them had disappointing campaigns while others blew expectations out of the water.

2005-06 Statistics

	Pos.	GP	G	A	Pts	Pts/GP	+/-	PIM
Schremp	C	57	57	88	145	2.54	+17	74
Trukhno	LW	60	28	68	96	1.60	-1	81
Goulet	RW	67	51	42	93	1.39	+39	80
Reddox	LW	68	19	45	64	0.94	+6	74
Bodie	RW	72	28	25	53	0.74	+12	117
Pettersson	LW	59	22	21	43	0.73	+15	47
Tesliuk	D	72	14	16	30	0.42	+9	109
Spurgeon	C	39	7	17	24	0.62	+3	22
Young	D	64	0	10	10	0.16	+6	113

 

	GP	W	L	SL	SO	GAA	SVP
Dubnyk	54	27	26	1	1	2.54	.912

 

 

Rob Schremp, C – London Knights
Ht: 6'0 Wt: 188
2004 1st round pick (25th overall)

 

At the beginning of the season, most were just hoping to see Schremp equal his previous year’s output as many felt the graduations of Corey Perry (ANA) and Danny Syvret (EDM) might adversely affect his point totals. If he’d managed to match the 90 points from 2004-05, the year might have been considered a relative success.

 

Not only did Schremp annihilate the bar set at that level, but he nearly broke the 150-point plateau in the process. He scored 57 goals in 57 games and improved his personal assist record by 39 helpers to a total of 88. His +17 rating was second highest on the team behind only defensive defenseman Scott Aarssen’s +22.

 

“He seemingly had something to prove,” said one OHL scout referring to the performance Schremp had after being a late cut from Oiler training camp.

 

The 19-year-old was a dominating force for the Knights and logged an incredible amount of ice time, upwards of 40-plus minutes on some nights, and was the obvious leader of the team. Along with teammate David Bolland (CHI), Schremp was on top of the league scoring after his first dozen games and didn’t look back.

 

In the annual OHL coaches poll, Schremp was named as the top player in his conference in three categories; hardest shot, best shot and most dangerous player around the net.

 

Next year Schremp appears well positioned for a NHL job, but beginning the year in the AHL is a distinct possibility as well should the organization wish to bring him along slowly. However, GM Kevin Lowe likens Schremp to another offensive-minded youngster who was able to stick with the team as a scorer before learning to play defense as a pro.

 

“Ales Hemsky was able to step in,” Lowe said. “I think if Robbie puts the time in this summer and gets a little stronger and a little quicker… he’ll be here.”

 

Slava Trukhno, LW – P.E.I. Rocket

Ht: 6’1 Wt: 196

2005 4^th round pick (120^th overall)

 

A coaching change in PEI was expected to benefit Trukhno, but few expected the breakout year that the Russian-born forward delivered for the Rocket this year. Trukhno was described earlier this year as “the only beacon of light” for the QMJHL squad and considering he finished with 29 more points than the next closest forward on his team, that statement rings fairly true.

 

Setting new careers highs in goals (28) and assists (68), Trukhno finished at the edge of the top 20 in QMJHL scoring with 96 points while playing just 60 games for one of the weakest teams in the league. A nagging groin/hip flexor limited his effectiveness in some stretches of the schedule and Trukhno also dealt with a sore shoulder early on and then sustained a concussion in the playoffs that knocked him and the Rockets out of contention against Acadie-Bathurst.

 

The 19-year-old is expected to return to the Island next year and if he gets some helpful teammates, could challenge for a top 10 finish in league scoring.

 

Stephane Goulet, RW – Moncton Wildcats

Ht: 6’3 Wt: 200

2004 7^th round pick (208^th overall)

 

As predicted by some, 2005-06 was a breakout year for 20-year-old Goulet with Moncton. Some will point to his age and argue that he should be putting up the numbers he did this season because of his physical and mental maturity advantage, and that is a fair critique to make. However, the fact that he did reach and probably surpassed the expectations anyone set for him should also be recognized.

 

Goulet was second on his team in scoring with 93 points, behind only Philippe Dupuis (CLB) who had 108 points. Behind Goulet were Adam Pineault (CLB), Martin Karsums (BOS) and Keith Yandle (PHO) although it should be noted that the two forwards named played fewer games than the Oiler property.

 

Goulet will be too old to return to Moncton next season so will make his professional debut somewhere in the minor leagues.

 

Liam Reddox, LW – Peterborough Petes

Ht: 5’11 Wt: 185

2004 4^th round pick (112^th overall)

 

Expectations were much higher for Reddox this year. Playing on the top team in the OHL’s Eastern Conference, most thought Reddox would flourish and lead the team in scoring as he had the two previous years. However, a drastic drop in goal scoring and an altered role on the team led to a severe drop in production for the 20-year-old.

 

After two consecutive 30-goal campaigns, Reddox failed to reach the 20-goal mark this past year falling one short. His 19 goals is almost half as many as the 36 he recorded a season ago. Reddox ended the year with just 64 points, well off his 82 from 2004-05 and just enough to match his total from his rookie season.

 

“Part of it had to do with the power play and how he was used on it,” argued one area scout. “Here’s a guy that’s never scored a goal from outside 10 feet of the net and yet they put him on the point on the power play and I really question that.”

 

Unless Reddox can kick his bad habit of starting each season off so slowly, it would not be a surprise to see the Whitby, ON native begin next year in the ECHL.

 

Troy Bodie, RW – Kelowna Rockets

Ht: 6’5 Wt: 210

2003 9^th round pick (270^th overall)

 

Bodie spent his over age year back in Kelowna thanks to the AHL problems the Oilers had this season. However, that wasn’t a bad thing for Bodie to do as he was able to go back to the Rockets and take on a leadership role in the absence of Tyler Spurgeon who did not play until Christmas.

 

Bodie continued to improve his personal point records for the fourth consecutive year and finally surpassed the 50-point plateau with a modest total of 53. His 28 goals were second highest on the team as were his 117 minutes in penalties.

 

With a contract already in his pocket, Bodie will have to turn pro next year and will likely do so in the AHL, assuming of course Edmonton has enough roster spots to earmark one for him. There is a slim chance that Bodie could play a game or two in Hamilton this year should the Rockets bow out early in the second round of the WHL playoffs. However, it appears more likely that the Bulldogs will be golfing much sooner than Kelowna will be.

 

Fredrik Pettersson, LW – Calgary Hitmen

Ht: 5’10 Wt: 183

2005 5^th round pick (157^th overall)

 

He shot out of the gates like a sprinter, but Freddie Pettersson wasn’t prepared for the marathon that is the 72-game WHL schedule. Pettersson scored only seven points in the remaining two months of the regular season as was passed for the team scoring title by Brodie Dupont and Ryan White. Still, 43 points in his first WHL campaign is a solid outing for the Swedish-born forward especially considering injuries and illness limited him to 59 games.

 

His willingness to play through traffic and into the tough areas on the ice made him a fan favorite in Calgary and his heart seems to be cramped for space in such a diminutive frame. Still considered a question mark for the NHL, if he fails to get there it certainly won’t be for a lack of effort or desire.

 

Expect Pettersson to be back with the Hitmen next year and another appearance at the WJC for Sweden is practically a guarantee for the 18-year-old.

 

Roman Tesliuk, D – Kamloops Blazers

Ht: 6’1 Wt: 195

2004 2^nd round pick (44^th overall)

 

Proof that stats don’t always tell the whole story. That’s probably the best way to describe 2005-06 for Roman Tesliuk, at least according to the scouts who spoke with Hockey’s Future about him.

 

One called him “terrible” and said that “all he wants to do is shoot the puck.” Another watched said that his physical play has not been as noticeable as it had been in the past and that he also wasn’t reading the play nearly as well this year.

 

Statistically Tesliuk set a new personal best with 14 goals and 30 points, but that was only enough for the Russian to reach the goals he had set for himself two years ago as an 18-year-old. Surely much more was expected from the 20-year-old Tesliuk in 2005-06.

 

Next season will largely depend on how Tesliuk spends this summer; if he reports to camp in the fall in top physical condition that it should make for a better start to the year and a better placement in the AHL as opposed to the ECHL. For the most part, Tesliuk’s future is in his own hands. First though, he’ll have to hope that the Oilers choose to extend him a contract offer and considering roster spots might be at a premium next year, that might not be a certainty.

 

Tyler Spurgeon, C – Kelowna Rockets

Ht: 5’10 Wt: 188

2004 8^th round pick (242^nd overall)

 

Offseason shoulder surgery kept Spurgeon in the pressbox until Christmastime, but once back in Kelowna with the Rockets, the captain found a way to make a positive impact on his club. Obviously having missed half the year there would be the expected rust to knock off. Still, 24 points in 39 games is a good total when all things are considered.

 

His career WHL stats are not that impressive. However, Spurgeon is extremely well thought of by the organization. It would be surprising if he was not tendered a contract this summer before the two-year deadline passes, but Spurgeon already knows he’s headed back to Kelowna for next year.

 

If the Oilers do not offer him a deal this summer, Spurgeon would be a free agent and would hope to attract a suitor with a strong season in 2006-07.

 

Bryan Young, D – Peterborough Petes

Ht: 6’1 Wt: 195

2004 5^th round pick (146^th overall)

 

It’s easy to forget about Bryan Young because his personality is so quiet and his stats certainly don’t make a lot of noise either. But knowing what he brings to the table night after night will make Young a solid pro player that any team would be happy to have in their organization. It would be a travesty if the Oilers farm scenario next year prevented them from signing Young to a contract this summer.

 

Every scout that has talked to HF about Young has had nothing but glowing remarks about the way the 19-year-old plays the game. One described him a “a great penalty killer,” another said that Young was “the best open ice hitter in the OHL” and the annual coaches poll listed him as one of the top three defensive blueliners in the conference.

 

The OHL is an option for Young next year as he could return for his 20-year-old season and at this point that appears to be the most likely scenario.

 

Devan Dubnyk, G – Kamloops Blazers

Ht: 6’5.5 Wt: 215

2004 1^st round pick (14^th overall)

 

A season of highs and lows might best describe the year that Devan Dubnyk experienced with Kamloops in 2005-06. He played very well for most of the year although poor outings seemed to randomly pop up from time to time which adversely affected his stats. He made the Canadian World Junior team, but then was not given the nod to appear in a single tournament game.

 

Dubnyk’s 2.54 goals against average had him finish in the WHL’s top 10, but his decent .912 save percentage was 12^th-best in the league. His 27 wins were ninth highest in the league, but he only posted a single shutout, which was well off his pace last year when he recorded six.

 

One thing playing behind a poor team did was allow Dubnyk to see a lot of rubber, something he said was a good thing.

 

“You can never complain when you get a chance to face a lot of shots every night because it’s such a learning experience,” Dubnyk said. “At times it does wear on you mentally and maybe it would have been nicer to be in a better situation but I think I got better on the ice and mentally because of it.”

 

For his efforts Dubnyk took home the ‘3-Star Award’ as the team MVP and was also given the C.H. Day Memorial Trophy which recognizes an individual player for his ability, leadership and sportsmanship.

 

Next year is a huge question mark for Dubnyk. The last thing the Oilers want to do is put another goaltender through the scenario that Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers faced this past year, a test he failed and was probably hurt by. If they have their own team than for sure Dubnyk will play for the AHL affiliate of the Oilers. If not, it is possible that he’ll return to Kamloops for one last overage season.

 

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