Today I let my wife pick the feature on Prospect Pulse. She is bored sitting at home recovering from surgery, and I thought it would give her something to do. The good news is that she chose an Oiler prospect, the bad news is that she chose a kid who looks like the lead in High School Musical: Stars on Ice. (Hat tip to Lowetide for the picture)
William Quist, taken in the 6th Round (157th overall) by the Oilers in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, is a 6-3 185 pound winger from Sweden. Though he doesn’t appear to have a myriad of offensive skill (judging by the numbers), he does have good size and reach. Said to possess a technically skilled game and be able to use his intelligence to his advantage, Quist seemsto fall under the Project label. Working in his favor is the fact that is he an above average skater with a long reach and good hands. While this doesn’t automatically translate into a NHL career, it does suggest that if Quist can continue to mature and use his reach, hands and intelligence, he may play himself onto an NHL roster.
Other teams, most notably the Detroit Red Wings, have had success looking to Sweden in the late rounds of drafts. In an interview with the Pipeline Show, Quist mentioned that he was very excited to be drafted by the Oilers (a boilerplate answer, I am sure) and that he going to play one more year in Sweden with Tingsryd in the Swedish Junior league so that he can graduate from high school. He came to camp this year to get a taste of the North American game and get acclimated to the Oilers’ style of play. Asked to describe himself as a player, Quist noted that he grew an inch to 6-4 and put on five pounds(for a total of 190) of muscle. He feels that he is a good two way player who can use his size effectively and is looking to make the jump to the Swedish Elite League this winter. He also noted he has a “good stick”. I am sure the girls in Edmonton will be thrilled, especially following the news that Raffi Torres is going to focus on hockey this year.
News You Can Use in the Late Morning:
-Consider checking out the Pipeline Show on September 18th. Lots of great insight into WHL prospects.
-Oilers and Springfield Falcons new uniforms. I am not a fan, though I do like the orange. Check out the response by Oilers fandom here.
-Les Sabres have suspended Teppo Numminen for failing to report to camp in good physical condition. He has a heart condition. The Sabres’ brass had better hire themselves a good PR firm, as this has disaster written all over it. First they lose both captains, and now this. Numminen doesn’t deserve this kind of treatment.
–A link to every new jersey. (Hat tip, Mirtle)
-Oilers looking to forget last year. Me too.
-Kings open the pre-season with a win. New face Kyle Calder with 2 goals to pace the team, and Cloutier with stellar 7 of 10 goaltending.
–Good run-down of training camp activity by the Score. Note that Phil Kessel may be moved to center. Also note that Krys Kolanos (Flames), Adam Hall (Penguins) and Mark Smith (Rangers) are participating in training camps. Still no Mike Johnson…
–David Tanabe in camp with the Blues.
-Team Canada captain Milan Lucic may get an extended look by the Bruins.
-A preview of the Minnesota Wild. This is just for you, Pipers.
-A recap (pun intended) of the Caps first day of training camp.
-Steve Rucchin fails his physical at Thrashers camp.
-Six goalies vie for jobs at Coyotes camp. Can they use all six at once, just to keep it close?
–Luongo the comedian. Note his quote when asked to describe the collision with Cowan.
–More on the gayest hockey movie ever.
-Blackhawks preach puck possession. And if you don’t like it, they will take their puck and go home.
–USA Today Hockey Power Rankings.
–Kevin Allen sees the East as a toss up.
-Trevor Linden discusses the changes in training camps over the years.
-A discussion of Eric Lindros’ chances for the Hall of Fame.
–Simon Gamache looking for a job at Leafs camp.
–Six players to watch. Just days ago it was 5 Players to Watch!
-Doug Janik impresses with his speed at Lightning camp.
-Bruins positive to start the season. Related: Chiarelli looks to make Bruins relevant in Boston’s sportscape.
-Finally, a comprehensive look at what team employs tarts to clean the ice. Meow.
For Illegal Curve, I’m Kyle Kosior
