Oilers Cut Camp Roster By 18

The Oilers first big round of training camp cuts was announced this afternoon. All told 18 players will be packing their bags and boarding a plane, bus, train, or hitchhiking to their next destination.

Nine will be headed to Oklahoma City:
Tyler Bunz
Graeme Craig
Matt Ford
Mitch Holmberg
Connor Jones
Kellen Jones
C.J. Ludwig
Frans Tuohimaa
Josh Winquist

No major shocks in this group. If anything it's who's left that might be the most surprising; namely, Jordan Oesterle (who we had at #29 in the Top 25 Under 25). I doubt that the former Western Michigan defenceman would have been picked by many to make it past the first round of cuts but his play has apparently impressed a few in the Oilers organization so far.

Another seven have destinations in the CHL:
Ben Betker (Everett – WHL)
Keven Bouchard (Val d’Or – QMJHL)
Connor Boland (Peterborough – OHL)
Greg Chase (Calgary – WHL)
Jackson Houck (Vancouver – WHL)
Kyle Platzer (Owen Sound – OHL)
Marco Roy (Quebec Remparts- QMJHL)

Again nothing big here. Maybe a few observers would have expected Chase and/or Roy to stick around for a little bit longer audition but neither was going to end up anywhere but junior this season so perhaps this is better for both in the long run as it gets them back to their respective junior clubs sooner than later.

The other two cuts are Alex Krushelnyski who was looking for a job after graduating Colorado College, and Jordan Rowley who returns to the defending CIS champion Golden Bears for his fourth season and what will hopefully be his second national title.