67's in the NHL Entry Draft - Ryan Martindale to Edmonton

Ryan Martindale was the first pick of the third round (61st overall) and went to the Edmonton Oilers (my home town).

Here's a video of Ryan from the combine:


And here's a pre-draft write-up from NHL.com.

The Oilers homepage features pictures of all their draft picks last weekend.

Here's the Oiler management take on Ryan:


Here's Ryan's interview:


Some draft day pictures.

And a picture from Life.com.

He's in some good company (Eberle, Hall, Pitlick) and tough competition to boot. He will have to work hard to make the Oiler club which is clearly rebuilding. Reading the various post-draft commentary pretty much repeats what the Oiler management had to say. He now has even more motivation to improve his consistency and show that he belongs in the NHL with the other Oiler prospects. And this can only benefit the Ottawa 67's next season. It will be a pleasure watching him work hard to improve and get a serious shot at the next level.

I don't know when the Oiler's development camp is. I will be in Edmonton next week visiting family so if they are running camp then and anything is open to the public, I just might drop in for a peek.