Connor McDavid and teammates test new ice at Rogers Place
Travis McEwan | CBC News | Posted: September 1, 2016 6:56 PM | Last Updated: September 1, 2016
Some of the players who represent the future of the Edmonton Oilers got acquainted with their new home ice advantage on Thursday.
Connor McDavid was the first to step on the ice at Rogers Place. He was followed by teammates Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Mark Letestu, Andrej Sekera, Jonas Gustavsson and Iiro Pakarinen.
The players took a few spins around the ice, and got a look at the huge scoreboard, the VIP box seats and the brand new stands.
A group of minor hockey players who could potentially be future Oilers joined them as well. The kids got the chance to skate, take some shots on goal and some even got a few tips from McDavid.
Bob Nicholson, CEO of the Oilers Entertainment Group, said the children were randomly selected by the Edmonton Minor Hockey Association.
Bob Nicholson, CEO of the Oilers Entertainment Group, said the children were randomly selected by the Edmonton Minor Hockey Association.
"We wanted to make sure the young kids have a dream," said Nicholson. "They have a dream of putting on the Oilers' jersey. Our work with minor hockey is important."
Elias Abdilmisih, 8, was one of the first youngsters to step on the ice. He even experienced his first media scrum when he faced question from reporters, with McDavid at his side.
He seemed quite taken by the NHL's biggest scoreboard, which hangs above centre ice. It measures 46 feet wide, 46 feet deep, and 36 feet high.
He seemed quite taken by the NHL's biggest scoreboard, which hangs above centre ice. It measures 46 feet wide, 46 feet deep, and 36 feet high.
"It's a lot bigger than the one at Rexall," he said.
The highlight of the morning, Elias said, was scoring a goal on an empty net.
The Oilers' first home game will be a preseason game against their provincial rivals, the Calgary Flames, on Sept. 26.