Weekend Update: Are We Having Fun Yet Campers?

The major Edmonton Oilers' stories of the week are of course the signing of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to an entry level contract on July 2nd and the Oilers' development camp at Millenium Place in Sherwood Park. The list before illness at the camp includes 5 goaltenders, 10 defensemen, and 16 forwards. Looking at the list of names, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins does not have the longest name at camp. No, that honour goes to Wes Vannieuwenhuizen of the Vancouver Giants. Anton Lander has improved his skating since the last time he was skating in Edmonton and it has shown. Samu Perhonen was struck with the flu and unable to participate in much of the camp, Tyler Pitlick is still nursing his ankle back to health and has only been on the ice periodically. The final day of the camp is Saturday July 9th and will feature the prospects in a fun for the whole family tournament. If you have the chance, I reccomend getting down there earlier than the 10am start time, then just enjoying your chance to take in some Oilers hockey in July.

Here is a taste of what the Oilers prospects are going through at camp, video courtesy of the Edmonton Oilers:

The Oilers were also able to come to a contract agreement with defenseman Theo Peckham. Peckham is eager for the new defensemen who has been signed this off season and is excited to see the Oilers development continue. 

In September the Oilers prospects will be participating in the NHL prospect tournament in British Columbia's wine country, Penticton. If you were looking for an early fall getaway, you might want to secure your tickets early as this event sold out last year, especially with some prominent names on several teams. 

This past week, the Oilers parted ways with a few players, seeing them sign with other clubs. Winger Jean-Francois Jacques is now a member of the Anaheim Ducks, as is goaltender Jeff Deslauriers while Zack Stortini signed with the Nashville predators. It is more than clear at this point that Steve MacIntyre will no longer be a member of the Edmonton Oilers, but he has yet to sign with another organization. It is likely that there is a club out there that will want to have the toughest man in the league, so there is still a chance that Big Mac will sign somewhere before the season starts. 

The Oklahoma City Barons have been busy in the community. The Barons have been playing floor hockey with children at a YMCA fit kids camp. It is wonderful to see the players interacting with the community. As our very own Neal Livingston wrote this week, this is also a great way to create new hockey fans; get to them as youths.

The Edmonton Oil Kings have released their schedule for next season and in the meantime are ecstatic that so many of their players were drafted this year, and that they have added another player to the Oilers' prospect list inTravis Ewanyk. I was disappointed when Ewanyk did not stand and cheer in the stands when his name was called at the draft, but he and his family had decided to stay home. I'm sure that he is fine with the results, in fact Ewanyk is ecstatic at the prospect of continuing to play for his hometown team.

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RNH standing out already — live blog from Oilers development camp - Cult of Hockey McCurdy

RNH’s shot impresses: summer camp day two - Cult of Hockey McCurdy

Tweets and other notes - Summer camp day three - Cult of Hockey McCurdy

Summer camp day four: the pucks are back! - Cult of Hockey McCurdy

Of mosquitoes, Musil and Marincin: the Oilers development camp - Cult of Hockey Staples

Summer camp day five: shooters, tutors, and rooters - Cult of Hockey McCurdy

State of the Barons: July 4th - Oilers Jambalaya Rodgers

MR. FARTCATCHER: OILER FANS BRING IT - Oilers Nation Brownlee

Barker: The Price is Right - Oilers Nation Gregor

ALES HEMSKY: THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT - Oilers Nation Brownlee

Hartikainen versus Omark? - Lowetide

Oilers Sign Yann Danis - Copper & Blue Reynolds

Oilers Sign Josh Green - Copper & Blue Reynolds

Peckham Signs a One Year Deal - Copper & Blue Batty