One Ethan Moreau, (pronounced EE-than moh-ROH), our Chopper, will the be the Oilers new fearless leader into the 2007/08 season and beyond.
He was officially named the 12th captain in Oilers history today. Thank you MacT for not going the rotating captaincy route like Minnesota did last season.
Also named were 4 alternate captains, Hemsky and Horcoff for home games, and Staios and Stoll for away games.
Ethan is thrilled to have this great honour bestowed upon him. He deserves it 100%.
In other Oilers news, the 23 man roster to start the 2007/08 season was accounced today. Surprising ( and a little pissed off) that Ladislav Smid has been sent down to the AHL instead of Tom Gilbert and Denis Grebeshkov, both whom have less NHL experience combined than Laddy does. Which isn't saying much, since Laddy was only played one full NHL season last season with the Oilers.
I'm sure Laddy won't be down there long, but given that both Gilbert and Smid are on two-way deals while Grebeshkov is on a one-way deal, its easier to send Smid or Gilbert to the AHL than it is to send Grebeshkov, who would have to clear waivers 1st. Kind of bullshit in my mind, but Smid wasn't that noticeable in the pre-season I guess. Smid will be a helluva NHL defenseman someday soon; he just needs some seasoning. I'm sure Dick Tarnstrom will develop Cory Cross disease soon enough because he is wearing Cory's old number 23, and Laddy will be back to replace him.
GOILERS!
So super excited for the home opener on Thursday!
