All Time Oilers Collection Part 8: 2000-01 through 2003-04

[30ranfordfan]

That fun (while it lasted) playoff run had me thinking I hadn't done another installment of my all-time Oilers collection in a LONG time. What to do about that? Here's Part 8!

The Early 2000s Oilers were good teams, but not really remarkable. Of the four seasons mentioned here, they'd make the playoffs twice - and lose to Dallas both times. That might be the most remarkable part of this era. After the Oilers upset the Stars in the 1997 playoffs, they were eliminated by the Stars in four straight playoffs, missed the post season in 2002, and then got beaten by the Stars again in 2003. They missed the playoffs again in 2004, ending the "pre lockout" era.

f you have not seen my other threads, I'll mention what I collect: All Time Oilers. My collection features an Autograph of every player to have ever played for the team. It features a Rookie Card for any player who has one, and minor league or team issued cards for those that don't. If a player does have a card showing him as an Oiler, I've got one of those. I also collect a Game Used card for any player that has one.


I'm always looking to upgrade cards. I stick to pack-pulled autographs for those that have them available, and prefer hard-signed to stickers. I'll get TTM or In Person autographs from players that never signed for card companies. Like everyone, I prefer nice patches to plain swatches on my jersey cards. If you think you have something that would be an upgrade for one of the cards I have here, I'd love to hear about it.


If you missed my other threads, and would like to see them, you can do so here:

Part 7 (96-97 through 99-00): http://www.hobbyinsider.net/forum/showthread.php?t=441974
Part 6 (93-94 through 95-96): http://www.hobbyinsider.net/forum/sh...d.php?t=440343
Part 5 (90-91 through 92-93): http://www.hobbyinsider.net/forum/sh...d.php?t=438018
Part 4 (87-88 through 89-90): http://www.hobbyinsider.net/forum/sh...d.php?t=436263
Part 3 (83-84 through 86-87): http://www.hobbyinsider.net/forum/sh...d.php?t=429957
Part 2 (80-81 through 85-86): http://hobbyinsider.net/forum/showthread.php?t=429082
Part 1 (79-80): http://hobbyinsider.net/forum/showthread.php?t=427601

2000-01

Eric Brewer

Eric Brewer was drafted 5th overall by the New York Islanders in 1997. He would wind up being a key piece in two trades that made the Edmonton Oilers a much stronger team.

Brewer came flying out the gate as as a star rookie with the Islanders in fall of 1998, and was considered an untouchable building block for the franchise, and future Norris contender. He butted heads with Isles coach Butch Goring the following season, and was sent to the minors after just three games. He'd be called back up later in the season, but he'd fallen out of favour with the New York brass.

At the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, the Isles traded Brewer, along with Josh Green and a second round pick (Brad Winchester) to the Oilers for Roman Hamrlik. Hamrlik would play four solid seasons with the Islanders, but Brewer would grow into the stud defenceman he was expected to be with the Oilers.

In each of Brewer's first three seasons in Edmonton, he'd set new career highs in goals & points. He'd log most his minutes against the other team's top players, and he continued to thrive. He played in the 2003 NHL All Star game, and while with Edmonton he was a member of Team Canada's Gold Medal winning teams at the 2002 Olympics, and the 2004 World Cup.

Following the lockout of 2004-05, the Oilers traded Eric along with Jeff Woywitka and Doug Lynch to the St. Louis Blues for Chris Pronger. While he may not have been quite the player his Team Canada teammate (Pronger) was, Brewer continued his excellent play in St. Louis for the next five & a half seasons.

The Blues would deal Brewer to the Tampa Bay Lightning in February of 2011 for Brock Beukeboom & a 3rd Round Pick. He helped the Bolts make the playoffs for the first time in 4 years, while also setting a new career high in goals & PIMs. He'd resign with Tampa after the season, playing with the Bolts until mid way through the 14-15 season when he was traded to the Anahime Ducks.

Brewer lasted a few months in Anahime, playing just 9 games. The Ducks gave up a 3rd round pick to get him, and would then package him up with a 5th round when they dealt him to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Korbinian Holzer. He played 17 games for the Leafs down the stretch, but they were near the bottom of the league so there were no playoffs in store. Brewere would retire following the 14-15 season.

He represented Canada 9 times, winning a Gold Medal on 5 occasions ('02 Olympics, '04 World Cup, and '03, '04, '07 World Champsionships).

Brewer also scored the Oilers first goal in the 2003 Heritage Classic.

Pictures are Brewer's Black Diamond Rookie Card, a BAP Autograph, and an In The Game Action jersey card.

Sven Butenschon

Sven Butenschon was a 3rd round pick of the Pittsburg Penguins. He was born in Germany, but grew up in Winnipeg. The defencman played his junior hockey with the Brandon Wheat Kings.

He made his NHL debut with the Pens in 97-98, playing 8 games. He'd play another 25 games with the Penguins over the next three seasons, before being dealt to the Edmonton Oilers at the 2001 trade deadline for Dan LaCouture.

Butenschon played 7 games for the Oilers, scoring once, before the end of the season. He'd suit up for another 14 NHL games with them the following year, spending most of the season with Hamilton in the AHL.

Sven would sign with the Florida Panthers in the summer of 2002, but was traded before he ever played for the team. They dealt him to the Islanders - where he had his most success as a professional, playing in 78 NHL contests over the next two seasons, and four playoff games in 2004.

He played for Germany's Mannheim Eagles during the 04-05 lock out. He'd come back to North American and join the Canucks for the 2005-06 season, but played only 8 NHL games - spending most of the season in the AHL. Those would be his final North American games.

Butenschon went back to Germany where he played and five seasons for Mannheim, and then two seasons with the Nuermberg Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers, before retiring in 2013.

Sven represented Germany three times internationally: The 2009 World Champsionships, the 2010 Olympic Games, and the 2010 World Champsionships (where Germany finnished 4th).

Butenschon won the Turner Cup with the IHL's Houston Aeros, the DEL Championship with Mannheim, and was a two time AHL All Star ('02 and '06). In 2015 he joined the coaching staff of the University of British Columbia as an assistant. He was named head coach in 2016, a position he still holds.

Pictured are Butenschon's 98-99 Upper Deck RC, and his '94 Signature Rookies autograph.

Anson Carter

Anson Carter was drafted 220th overall by the Quebec Nordiques in 1992. He didn't sign with the Nords, and opted to play for Michigan State instead. He was named to the first all star team twice, and the second all star team once in his four years as a Spartan. In 1995 he was named to the All American team.

By the time Carter was ready to go pro, the Nordiques had moved to Colorado, and the Avalanche had traded him to Washington for a 1996 fourth round pick (Ben Storey, who never played an NHL game).

With the Capitals, Carter was an impressive prospect. He scored 3 times in 19 NHL games in 1996-97, and scored 19 goals in 27 games with their AHL club, the Portland Pirates. He was also involved in a blockbuster trade before the season ended.

The Capitals, wanting to builk up for the playoffs, sent Carter & young stars Jason Allison and Jim Carey (along with a third round pick) to the Boston Bruins for Adam Oates, Bill Ranford, and Rick Tocchet.

With the Bruins Carter would blossom into a quality NHL scorer. With an expanded role in Boston, he scored 8 times in the club's 19 games after the trade deadline. He'd put up a season with 16 goals and 43 points in 97-98, and 24 goals with 40 points in 98-99, while playing in only 55 games.

Carter played in just 59 games for the Burins in 99-00, scored 22, and set a new career high with 47 points. They'd trade him to the Edmonton Oilers, along with picks, for Bill Guerrin and a pick. The trade included a swap of 2001 1st rounders, Edmonton ended uping picking 13th and took Ales Hemsky, while the Bruins traded 19th and took Shaone Morrisonn.

2001-02 was a career year for Carter. He set new career highs with 28 gaols, 32 assists, and 60 points. Only the goal total would later be ecliped. He scored another 25 for the Oilers in 02-03, in just 68 games. The Oilers would move him at the deadline to the New York Rangers (with Ales Pisa) for Cory Cross and Radek Dvorak.

Less than one full calander season later, and with just 54 Rangers games under his belt, Carter was deal to the team where he broke inthe to NHL: The Washington Capitals, in a 1-for-1 swap for Jaromir Jagr. He played exactly 19 games for the Caps (the same number he played back in 1996-97) and was traded again, to the LA Kings.

The lockout followed, and then Carter left L.A. and signed with the Vancouver Canucks. He set a new career high with 33 goals in 2005-06. He joined the Columbus Blue Jackets as a free agent in 2006, but was dealt to Carolina before the end of the season. His 10 games with the 'Canes in 06-07 were his last in the NHL. He played breifly with Lugano in Switerland in 2007-08, before retiring.

Internationally, Carter represented Canada three times: '94 World Junior Championship, '97 & '93 World Championship. Each time Canada won gold.

Pictured are Carter's 1993-94 UD Rookie Card, an 03-04 UD Ice Jersey & Autograph, and an 01-02 UD Mask Collection, showing him with the Oilers.

Jason Chimera

Edmonton native Jason Chimera was a 5th round pick of the Edmonton Oilers in 1997, following a great rookie season with the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers.

He'd play three more seasons of junior, having a small taste of the pro game at the end of the 97-98 season when he played four games with the Hamilton Bulldogs.

Chimera turned pro for the 1999-00 season, and he scored 15 times in 78 games with the Bulldogs. The 2000-01 season saw him score 29 times for Hamilton, and he also made his NHL debut - playing a single game for the Oilers.

2001-02 was more of the same. He scored 26 times in the AHL, and got his first NHL goal in his three games with the big club. 2001-02 also marked the final time Chimera would play in the minors.

He played in 66 games for Edmonton in 2002-03, scoring 14 times. His follow up campaign was a dissapointment, he popped just 4 in 60 games.

The 2004-05 lockout saw Jason play with Varese in Italy. His time with the Oilers was over, they dealt him to the Phoenix Coyotes with a 3rd round pick, for 2nd and 4th rounders.

Chimera never played for the Coyotes. They would trade him before the season started, along with Cale Hulse and Mike Rupp, to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Geoff Sanderson and Tim Jackman.

He went on to play fairly productive seasons in Columbus. Goal totals of 17, 15, 14, and 8 - as he missed time due to injury in 08-09.

He scored 8 times in 39 games for Columbus in 09-10, but was traded mid way through the season to the Washington Capitals for Chris Clark and Milan Jurcina.

Chimera finished the season in Washington, and would play another six seasons with the Caps. He set career highs with 20 goals in 11-12 and 15-16, and with 42 points in 13-14.

He left the Caps as a free agent following the 15-16 season. He signed a two year deal with the New York Islanders. He matched his career high with 20 goals in 16-17, but scored just two times in 58 Islander games in 17-18. He was traded to the Anahime Ducks for Chris Wagner near the end of 17-18, playing his final 16 NHL games and scoring his last NHL goals.

A vertern of 1,107 NHL games, Jason represented Canada four times: The 1999 World Junior Championship (Silver), the 2007 World Championship (Gold), the 2008 World Championship (Silver), and the 2014 World Championship (5th).

Pictured are Chimera's SP Game Used RC /499, an SPx Jersey Card, and an Oilers Franchise Inks autograph.

Mike Comrie

Mike Comrie was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1999 Entry Draft, when the Oilers made him the 91st pick overall. His father Bill was part of the "Edmonton Investors Group", a group of more than 30 local businessmen who pooled their resources to buy the team from Peter Pocklington, rather than see it move.

Mike had a season at the University of Michigan under his belt when he was drafted, and the 1999-00 season saw him grow as a prospect. He left school for the 2000-01 season, and joined the WHL's Kootenay Ice. A loophole in free agency status would have made Comrie a UFA following the 00-01 season if he didn't sign with the Oilers.

He played 37 games with Kootenay, scoring 39 goals and 40 assists. He'd cemented himself as a top prospect, and the Oilers would sign him mid season. He played 41 games with the Oilers in 00-01, scoring 8 times.

Mike followed up his rookie campaign by scoring 33 goals & 60 points with the Oilers in 2001-02, both of those numbers would end up being career highs. He set his personal best with 31 assists in 2002-03, and scored another 20.

Comrie and the Oilers clashed over his next deal, and they would end up trading him to the Philadelphia Flyers for Jeff Woywitka and the 1st & 3rd round picks that became Rob Schremp & Danny SyvretDa.

Mike didn't last the season in Philly. He scored 4 goals in 21 games, and was then deal to the Phoenix Coyotes for Sean Burke, Branko Radivojevic, and Ben Eager. He'd score another 8 times in 28 games for Phoenix that season.

The 04-05 season was lost due to the lockout, and Comrie briefly played with Farjestads in Sweden.

The 2005-06 season saw him hit the 30 goal mark once again, scoring 30 goals and 30 assists, as he matched his career high in points. He'd play 24 games for the Coyotes in 2006-07, before being traded to Ottawa for Alexei Kaigorodov.

With the Senators, he scored 13 goals in 41 games - and left as a free agent following the season. He signed with the New York Islanders.

Comrie had a pretty good 2007-08 season, with 21 goals and 49 points. He didn't quite keep up that pace with the Isles the following year, and was traded (again) to the Ottawa Senators. He and Chris Campoli were swaped for Dean McAmmond and a 1st round pick.

Whatever bad blood existed during the contract dispute of 2003 was put behind them, and Comrie signed on to have his second go round with the Oilers in 2009-10. He scored 13 times and added 8 helpers, in 43 games.

Comrie's final NHL season was in 2010-11, when he played for the Pittsburg Penguins. He scored just once in 21 games.

Comrie played for Team Canada on three occasions, at the World Champsionships in '02, '03, and '06. He won a Gold Medal in 2003.

In addition to his father Bill having an Oilers connection, Mike's Brother Paul also played for the Oilers. Mike is also one of a few pro Athletes whose (now ex) wife is more famous than he is: He was married to Hillary Duff.

Shown here are Mike's 00-01 Titanium RC /99, his 01-02 BAP Autograph, and an 01-02 Bowman Young Stars Jersey card.

Patrick Cote

Patrick Cote was as tough as they come. in 104 QMJHL games with the Beauport Harfangs, he racked up 544 PIMs. He was drafted in the 2nd round of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft by the Dallas stars, and turned pro the following season.

While he spend most the season with the Michigan K-Wings of the IHL, Cote made his NHL debut and played a pair of games with Dallas. He'd record his first NHL fight, squaring off with Todd Ewen of the Anahime Ducks.

In three seasons with the Dallas organization he played just 8 games, but had 7 fighting majors. He was claimed in the 1998 Expansion Draft by the Nashville Predators.

Nashville made Cote a full time NHLer in 1998-99. He played 70 games, scored his only NHL goal, had his only two NHL assists, fought 29 times, and racked up 242 PIMs.

He'd play just 21 games for the Preds in 99-00, and was traded to the Edmonton Oilers for a 5th round pick the following summer.

Cote played 6 games for the Oilers in 00-01, fought twice, with a total of 18 PIMs. He played 16 games in the AHL, but that was the end of his time in major profesional hockey.

The Quebec native joined the Laval Chiefs of the Quebec Semi-Professional Hockey League in 2001-02, and four years later made the jump to the newly formed LNAH when the Chiefs joined the league. He played four LNAH seasons (Laval for two seasons, they moved to St. Jean, and then a final one with the Sorel-Tracy Mission) before retiring in 2008.

Legal troubles have followed Cote since he left the NHL. He was caught smuggling drugs in New York State in 2002, and in 2014 he was sentenced to prison for a pair of bank robberies in Montreal.

Pictured are Cote's BAP Rookie Card, and the Autographed Foil version of the card.

Chris Hajt

The Edmonton Oilers made Chris Hajt the 32nd overall pick in 1996. That was one spot higher than his father Bill was selected by the Buffalo Sabres back in 1971. He'd already played a pair of steller seasons on defense for the Guelph Storm. He had two more strong junior campaigns in Guelph, before turning pro with the Hamilton Bulldogs in 98-99.

During Hajt's third season with the Bulldogs, he earned a call up and made his NHL debut with the Oilers in 2000-01, playing a single game. That would be his only game with the big club.

Chris played one more season with the Bulldogs, and then joined the Washington Capitals Organization as a free agent. He spent most of the next two seasons with the AHL's Portland Pirates, but played 5 NHL games for the Caps in 03-04.

Hajt split the lockout season of 04-05 with the Pirates, and the ECHL's August Lynx. He'd play another AHL season in 05-06 with the Lowell Lock Monsters, and wrapped up his playing career with three seasons in Europe (Germany, Sweden, Italy).

Chris represented the USA twice, at the '97 and '98 World Junior Champsionships.

He got into coaching in 2008 after his retirment. He was an assistant with the Guelph Storm for 5 seasons, then moved to the AHL's Manchester Monarchs in 2014.

Hajt moved with the Monarchs to California, when they because the Ontario Reign. After two seasons he took as a job as an assistant with the Buffalo Sabres. He stayed there for two years, and then rejoined the Reign in 2019, where he still is today.

Pictured are Hajt's 98-99 UD Choice Rookie Card, his 95-96 Edge Ice autograph, and a Bowman CHL card I got signed in person, back in the 90s.

Shawn Horcoff

Shawn Horcoff was a 4th round pick of the Edmonton Oilers in 1998, while playing for Michigan State University. He completed his 4 years of school, and turned pro in 2000-01, playing 49 games with the Oilers, and 24 with the Hamilton Bulldogs.

After scoring 9 goals in his rookie campaign, Horcoff popped 8 more in his second season, playing 61 NHL games, and having a brief trip to the AHL, playing twice for Hamilton. Horcoff never went back to the minors.

He hit double digit goals (12) in 02-03, and again (15) in 03-04, cementing himself as a reliable center for the Oilers, and hitting 40 points (in 80 games) for the first time.

Shawn played in Sweden during the 2004-05 lockout, and then the 2005-06 season saw him put up the best numbers of his career: 22 goals, and 73 points, in 79 games. He was an important part of the Oilers club that went all the way to the Stanley Cup finals, scoring 7 times in the playoffs.

He signed a new 3 year deal, and put up seasons with 51, 50, and 53 points. The 07-08 season's 50 points was in just 53 games. He played in the All Star game that season, and won the fastest skater contest.

The Oilers agreed to a new 6 year / $33m contract with Horcoff, but it was a contract he never quite lived up to. He had a great 2010-11 season with 46 poiunts in 47 games, but that was the best he'd do in Edmonton before his trade to Dallas.

In the summer of 2013, in a move to shed salary, Horcoff was dealt to the Stars with Curtis Hamitlon, for Philip Larsen & a 7th round pick.

2013-14 saw him hit the 50 point plateau (with 52) for the first time since 2006-07. He had an excellent first season in Dallas, but his play dropped off again in year two.

He joined the Anahime Ducks as a free agent in 2015, and played his final NHL campaign with them, including skating in his 1,000th NHL game.

Horcoff represented Canada three times, wining World Championship Gold in 2003 and 2004, and a Bronze in 2009.

Since retirment he's worked for the Detroit Red Wings, as director of player development, and an assistant GM of their AHL club in Grand Rapids.

Pictured are Horcoff's Titanium RC /99, an Upper Deck Ice Scripts, a Panini Titanum Quad Memoribilia, and a UD Game Dated Moment parallel card (very hard to find) - showing his celebration after a triple OT goal, that allowed me to go to bed and get about 4 hours sleep before going to work the next day.

Dominic Pittis

Dominic Pittis was a WHL 2nd team all star in 1994, a year after the Pittsburg Penguins made him the 53rd overall pick. He mde his NHL debut in 1996-97 with Pittsburgh, playing a single game.

He'd join the Buffalo Sabres as a free agent in 1998-99, and played 10 NHL games over two years for them, spending most of his time with the Rochester Americans. He led the AHL in scoring in 1998-99, with 104 points in 76 games.

A free agent again, he joined the Edmonton Oilers for the 2000-01 season. He spent two seasons in Edmonton, but was in & out of the lineup - never a full time player, but not in the minors either. He played 47 & 22 games, popping 4 goals and adding 11 assists.

He played a pair of NHL games with Nasville in 2002-03, and 4 more in his second stint with the Sabres in 2003-04.

The 04-05 season saw him head overseas to Switerland, where he played another 9 seasons before retiring in 2013.

Since 2015 he's been assistant coach with the Calgary Flames AHL affiliate, the Stockton Heat.

Pictured are Pittis' Donruss Canadian Ice RC, a signed copy of his 7th Inning Sketch junior card, and his Titanium /99, showing him as a member of the Oilers.

Michel Riesen

Michel Riesen was selected 14th overall in the 1997 Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers. That made him the highest drafted Swiss player ever (that's since been beat by a few players, most notibaly Nico Hischier).

He was a highly touted prospect, but never panned out. He came to North America for the 1998-99 season, and spent it with the Hamilton Bulldogs. He had a pretty good AHL season in 99-00, scoring 29 times (60 points) and earned an NHL callup, where he recoded a single assist in 12 games with the Oilers.

The following season he was back in Hamilton, where he scored 26 goals & 54 points, but was then dealt to the St. Louis Blues (with Doug Weight) for Marty Reasoner, Jochen Hecht, and Jan Horacek. He never played for the Blues, and instead went home to Switerland after that, and played in the Swiss elite league from 2001 until retiring in 2014.

He represented Swtitzerland three times at the European Juniors, four times as the World Juniors, and three times at the World Champsionships.

Pictured are his BAP Memoribilia Rookie Card, and his SPA Sign of the Time autograph.

Dominic Roussel

A standout goalie in the QMJHL, Dominic Roussel was drafted 63rd overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in 988.

He made his NHL debut in 1991-92, playing 17 games for the Flyers. tyhe 1993-94 season saw Roussel become the Flyers #1 goalie. He played in 60 games, putting up a record of 29-20-5.

When the Flyers brought back Ron Hextal for the 1994-95 season, Roussel lost the starters job. The emergence of Garth Snow in the Flyers organization made Dominic expendable in the 1995-96 season, and he was traded to Winnipeg for Time Cheveldae anda 3rd round pick.

A free agent the following summer, Roussel resigned with the Flyers - but spent the 96-97 season playing in the AHL. He spent the the bulk of the 1997-98 season player for the Canadian National Team, along with a couple of games in Germany.

The Flyers traded his NHL rights to the Nashville Predators, with Jeff Staples, for a 7th rounder in 1998. He never played for the Preds: They'd deal him to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks for Marc Moro and Chris Mason. He was the primary backup in Anahime for the 98-99 and 00-01 seasons. He started out that way in 00-01, but he was claimed on waivers by the Edmonton Oilers.

With the Oilers, Roussel put up a 1-4-0 record in 8 games. He was done in the NHL following the 2000-01 season. He played in the QSPHL for a year, and then in Germany for year. He retired folloing the 2002-03 season.

Since then. Rousel has run a goalie school in Quebec.

Shown here are four cards of Dominic: His 91-92 Upper Deck RC, his 94-95 BAP Autograph, a BTP GU Jersey (Gold /10), and an 00-01 BTP base card, showing him with the Oilers.

Brian Swanson

Brian Swanson was drafted in the 5th round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, by the San Jose Sharks. While playing for Colorado College, he was traded to the New York Rangers with Jayson More and a pick, for Marty McSorley.

He was a Hobby Baker finalist, and made his pro debut with the Rangers AHL club, the Hartford Wolfpack, at the end of the 98-99 season. He was a free agent after that, and signed with the Edmonton Oilers.

He spent the 99-00 season with the Hamilton Bulldogs, putting up 59 points in 69 games. He played at a near point-per-game pace in the AHL in 2000-01 (47 in 49) and was rewarded with 16 NHL games with Edmonton - scoring his first NHL goal.

The next two seasons saw Swanson go back and forth between the NHL and AHL. He played a career high 44 NHL games in 2002-03.

He signed with the Atlanta Thrashers in the summer of 2003. He played a pair of games for Atlanta the following season, spending most of the time in the AHL with the Chicago Wolves.

He went to Germany for the 04-05 lockout, and decided to stay there. Swanson played 6 seasons in the DEL before coming back to North America. He spent the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons with the ECHL's Alaska Aces, before retiring.

Swanson played for the USA a the 1996 World Junior Champsionships.

Pictured are Swanson's Young Guns Rookie Card, and a signed copy of his BAP Memoribilia RC.

Sergei Zholtok

Latvian Sergi Zholtok was drafted 55th overall by the Boston Bruins in 1992, the same year he won gold with the USSR at the World Junior Champsionships.

He played a single game for the Bruins in 1992-93, and 24 more in 1993-94. He only played in the AHL for 1994-95, and left the Boston organization joining the IHL's Las Vegas Thunder in 1996-97.

He signed with the Ottawa Senatros for the 1996-97, and really hit his stride as an NHL player. He scored 12 times, and had 28 points, in 57 games for the Senators.

After another 78 NHL games with Ottawa in 1997-98, he found himself a free agent again. This time he signed with the Montreal Canadiens, where he spent the next two and a half seasons. His 26 goals in 1999-00 were a career high.

In December of 2000, Montreal traded Zholtok to the Edmonton Oilers for Chad Kilger. He played the rest of the season with Edmonton, loggin 37 games, 4 goals, and 16 assists. The Oilers traded him to Minnesota for a conditional 2002 pick.

After a couple of declining years, Zholtok would have a career renisence in Minnesota. He set a career high with 42 points in 2002-03.

The Wild traded him & Brad Bombardir to the Nashville Predators at the 2004 NHL trade deadline, for 3rd & 4th round picks.

The 2004-05 saw Zholtok return home to Riga to play during the NHL lockout. The season ended in tragedy. In his 6th game of the season, Zholtok's heart failed, and he died in the dressing room after leaving the ice.

Zholtok represented the USSR three times as a junior, but after the fall of the Soviet Union he would play for Latvia at the world championships six times.

Pictured are Zholtok's 91-92 Upper Deck RC, his 97-98 BAP Autograph, and a Titanium Jersey card.

2001-02

Ty Conklin

After two seasons with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL, Ty Conklin played three seasons with the University of New Hampshire Wildcats. After completing his NCAA career, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Edmonton Oilers.

He played mostly for the Hamilton Bulldogs in the AHL for his first two seasons, but did earn a a call up with the Oilers in 2001-02. He played in 4 games, and had a 2-0 record.

He took the Bulldogs to the Calder Cup finals in 2003, losing in 7 games to Houston. He set an AHL record with 83 saves in Game 2 of the finals.

The 2003-04 season saw Conklin assume the starter's role, after Tommy Salo injured. He played in 39 games that year, including the NHL's first outdoor game: The Heritage Classic, against the Montreal Canadiens.

After spending the 04-05 lockout playing in Germany, Conlkin shared starting duties with Jussi Markanen in the 05-06 season. He was relegated to a split-time backup (with Markanen) after the Oilers traded for Roloson.

Conklin was the backup in Game 1 of the 2006 Stanley Cup finals, despite having only played one game since March. He came in for an injured Roloson late in the 3rd, and mismanaged the puck with 30 seconds left - allowing Rod Brind'Amour to score the winning goal. That would be the last time he ever played for the Oilers.

He signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets that summer, but was traded to the Buffalo Sabres mid-season. He only logged backup duties for either team, playing 11 games for Columbus and 5 for Buffalo.

A free agent again, this time he signed with the Pittsburg Penguins. He started the year in the AHL, but was called up when Marc-Andre Fleury got hurt. After a rough start, he went on a very nice run with Pittsburg - inlcuding a 7 games winning streak. He finished the season with a 18-8-5 record, which including a 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres in the NHL's second outdoor game, the Winter Classic.

He hit the open market again in the summer of 2008. This time Conklin joined the Red Wings. With Detroit he played in a career high 40 games, going 25-11-2. He also played in the NHL's third ever outdoor game, when Detroit took on Chicago.

After a string of three 1-year contracts, Conklin was able to secure a two year deal i nthe summer of 2009. Changing teams again one might have expected him to sign with Boston or Philadelphia (so he could make his 4th outdoor start, at the NHL's 4th outdoor game) but in fact he signed with St. Louis.

He played 51 games for St. Louis over two seasons, before resigning with the Detroit Red Wings in 2011. He split the 11-12 season between Detroit (15 games) and Grand Rapids (12 games). He'd retire at the end of the season.

He represented the USA on three occasions, playing in the 2004, 2005, and 2011 World Champsionships. He was a bronze medal with the USA in 2004, where he was named the tournament's best goalie.

Pictured are Conlin's Crown Royal RC, and an SPGU Patch / Auto.

Josh Green

A stand out center with the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL, Josh Green was slected 30th overall by the Los Angles Kings in 1996.

He made his NHL debut in 1998-99, playing 27 games for L.A. and scored once.

He was traded along with Olli Jokinen, Mathieu Biron and a '99 1st round pick to the New York Islanders, for Marcel Cousineau, zigmund Palffy, Bryan Smolinski, and a 4th round pick in '99.

Green only spent one season in Long Island. He had a good season, scoring 12 times (26 points) in 49 games. He was part of the package the Isles sent to Edmonton for Roman Hamrlik at the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

Josh started the 2000-01 season with Hamilton, but in his second game with the Bulldogs he suffered a shoulder injury. This cost him the rest of the regular season, but he made his Oilers debut playing 3 games in the playoffs.

He was a regular in their NHL lineup the following season, playing a career high 61 NHL games in 2001-02 - he scored 10 goals and added 5 assists.

He played 20 games for the Oilers in 2002-03, before he was traded to the New York Rangers for a conditional pick. He played only four games with the Rangers before being claimed on waivers by the Washington Capitals, where he played 21 games.

He signed with the Calgary Flames in the summer of 2003, and played 36 games for them in 03-04. He was made a waiver claim once again, and ended up playing 14 with the Rangers - who grabbed him for a second time.

He spent the 04-05 lockout playing for the AHL's Manitoba Moose, and affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks. Vancouver would be his next NHL stop, he played 33 games for them in 2005-06, and another 57 in 06-07.

He joined the Anahime Ducks in the 2008-09 season, but spent the regular season either in the press box, or with their AHL club, the Iowa Chops. He did play in 5 playoffs games for the Ducks in 2009.

He took his game overseas for the 2009-10 season, and joined Modo in Sweden. After a strong season there, he rejoined the Ducks for the 2010-11 season, played in another 12 NHL contests, and 69 in the AHL.

He had a second tour with the Edmonton Oilers in 2011-12. He played just 7 games in the NHL, but 51 with the Oklahoma City Barons. He played another season in OKC in 2012-13, before heading overseas agian.

Green played the last four seasons of his career in Finaland, with a pair of seasons with each of Tappara and KooKoo. He reitred in 2017.

Since 2019, Green has been an assistant coach with the WHL's Winnipeg Ice.

Pictured are his 98-99 Upper Deck RC, a 95-96 Collector's Edge Ice Autograph, and a jersey card from a 15-16 Finish set.

Jochan Hecht

Jochan Hecht's strong play in the German DEL as a teenager impressed enough scouts to make him the 49th overall pick by St. Louis in 1995. He played three more seasons in Germany, before coming to North America.

In 1998-99, he spent most of the season with the Worchester IceCats in the AHL. Those 74 games & 21 goals would be the only time he spent in the minors. He also made his NHL debut, playing in three games for the Blues.

Hecht played two more seasons in St. Louis, scoring 13 & 19 goals. He also added 6 goals in two playoff runs for the Blues.

He was part of a blockbuster trade in the summer of 2001. He was sent to Edmonton along with Marty Reasoner and Jan Horacek for Doug Weight and Michel Riesen.

Jochen had a solid 01-02 season for the Oilers, scoring 16 times (40 points) and played in all 82 games. However it was his only season with the Oilers. He was traded at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft to Buffalo, for a pair of second round picks. The Oilers would use those two picks to select Jarret Stoll & Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers.

Hecht spent the next 10 seasons in Buffalo. He had a career high 56 points in 2006-07, and a career high 22 goals in 2007-08. The 07-08 season saw Buffalo rotate their Captaincy, and Hecht was chose to be team Captain for the months of October and February.

During both the 2004-05 and 2012-13 lockouts, Hecht returned to Germany to play for the Mannheim Eagles, the team he started his career with. After his contract with Buffalo ended in 2013, he returned to Germany to play three more seasons with Mannheim, before retiring in 2016.

He represented Germany three times at the World Juniors, twice at the European Juniors, six times at the World Champsionships, twice at the World Cup of Hockey, and three times at the Olympic Games.

Pictured are Hecht's BAP Rookie Card, a BAP Signature Series Autograph, and a Titanium Jersey Card.

Eric Heffler

After a season in the Metro Tornto Junior Hockey League, New York native Eric Heffler returned to the USA and played four years of college hockey for St. Lawrence, where he was named an All-American.

He was never drafted, but signed as a free Agent with the Edmonton Oilers after the 98-99 college season had ended. He made his pro debut with the Hamilton Bulldogs in the spring of '99, playing in two games.

He was the primary starter for Hamilton the following season, playing in 47 games. He also earned a brief call up to Edmonton. He backed up Tommy Salo for a pair of games in late November of '99 with backup Bill Ranford injured. He never saw any on-ice action before heading back to Hamilton.

The 2000-01 saw him lose playing time in Hamilton, he had fewer starts than both Joaquin Gage and Chris Madden. He played part of the season with the Greensboro Generals in the ECHL.

Heffler played one more season of pro hockey, splitting the 2001-02 between a pair of UHL teams: New Haven Knights, and BC Icemen. He retired in 2002, and had a brief coaching stint with Princeton in 2002-03.

In 2019, Eric Heffler was inducted into the St. Lawrence Athletic Hall of Fame.

While he was only a backup for a couple of games, with no time on the ice, Heffler's time in Edmonton did get him a rookie card in 2003-04 BAP Memoribilia. Shown here are two copies, one of them being signed.

Jussi Markkanen

The other half of the goaltending duo known as Conkanen.

Jussi Markkanen was drafted in the 5th round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft by the Edmotnon Oilers, after playing six seasons in Finaland's SM-liiga.

He came to North America right away. He played just four games in the minors for the AHL Bulldogs, and put up a 6-4-2 record with a sparkling 1.84 GAA in 14 games with the Oilers, as Tommy Salo's primary backup.

The 2002-03 season saw him back up Salo once again, going 7-8-3 in 22 games.

The summer of 2003 saw Markkanen traded to the New York Rangers (in a deal I suspect many people forgot ever happened). On June 30th the Oilers sent Markkanen and a 4th round pick to the Rangers for pending UFA Brian Leetch. Leetch would sign with the Rangers as a free agent on July 1st, and with the old UFA compensatory pick rules - the Oilers recieved a 2004 2nd round pick for loosing Leetch. Trades like this is why the rule was dropped. The Oilers turned a backup goalie and a 4th rounder into a 2nd - and the Rangers got a backup goalie & a 4th rounder for nothing, as they resigned Leetch anyway.

Markkanen had a decent 03-04 season with the Rangers, going 8-12-1 in 26 games. It was his only season on Broadway though.

At the 2004 NHL trade deadline, the Rangers dealt Markkanen back to the Oilers along with Petr Nedved, for Steve Valiquette, Dwight Helminen, a 2nd round pick the Oilers got for losing Leetch, and a 3rd. Markkanen went 2-2-2 with a 1.83 GAA in 7 games for the Oilers down the stretch.

After playing in Russia for the 2004-05 lockout, Jussi was back in net for the Oilers in 2005-06. He & Ty Conklin split the goaltending job until Dwayne Roloson was aquired at the trade deadline.

Markkanen & Conklin took turns being the backup in the playoffs. Roloson was lost to injury during game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals. Conklin was the backup that day, and had a brutal give away that lead to to the winning goal. Markkanen played the rest of the series in net for Edmonton and was brilliant, including a shut out in Game 6. He allowed a pair of goals in Game 7, and that proved to be too many. Carolina won the final game 3-1 after an empty netter.

Jussi would play one more season in Edmonton. He backed up Roloson for the 2006-07 season, going 5-9-1 in 22 games. The Oilers went from finalists to missing the playoffs, and instead of sticking around a rebuilding team - he left the NHL and went home to Finland.

Markkanen's career would last another 11 season. He played in Finland, Russia, and Switerland. He retired after the 2017-18 season with SaiPa Lappeenranta in SM-liiga.

Jussi was named best goalie in SM-liiga twice: 2000-01, and again in 2013-14.He was also an All Star both of those seasons. He represented Finland 5 times. Twice as the World Junior Champsionships, twice at the World Champsionships, and he was a member of his county's team at the 2002 Olympic Games.


Pictured are his Topps Finest Rookie Card, a signed copy of his 06-07 OPC, and a 2002-03 BTP Jersey card. (He does have a few Finish pack-pulled autographed cards. I'm still searching for one)

Ales Pisa

Ales Pisa was a 9th round pick of the Edmonton Oilers in 2001. He was 24 at the time, and had been playing in his native Czech Republic's top league since he was 16.

He came to North America the following season, playing 52 games in the AHL and played a pair of games for the Oilers, making his NHL debut.

The 2002-03 season saw Pisa play in 48 games for the Oilers, scoring once, and was traded with Anson Carter to the New York Rangers for Cory Cross and Radek Dvorak at the trade deadline.

Pisa play three games for the Rangers, and then headed back to Europe the following season.

His career lasted another 13 season, 4 in Russia and 9 with Pardubice HC in the Czech Republic, the team he started his career with.

Pisa also represented his country twice, playing in the '96 and '97 World Junior Champsionships.

Show here are his 95-96 Upper Deck Rookie Card, a 2002-03 UD Vintage showing him with the Oilers, and a certified auto from a Czech OFS set.

Marty Reasoner

After his first season with Boston College, when he was named Rookie of the Year, Marty Reasoner was selected 14th overall by the St. Louis Blues at the 1996 NHL Entry Draft.

He played two more seasons in the NCAA. He and Brian Gionta led the Eagles to the NCAA finals, and he was named an All-American.

Reasoner would turn pro in 1998. He plit the next three seasons betwee the Blues, and their AHL team, the Worcester IceCats.

In the summer of 2001, Reasoner was part of a package the Blues sent to Edmonton, along with Jochen Hecht and Jan Horacek, for Doug Weight and Michel Risen.

Reasoner spent the entire 01-02 season in Edmonton, playing in 52 games. He did have a 2 game sint in the AHL the next season, but set career highs with 70 NHL games, 11 goals, and 20 assists.

He suffered a knee injury during the 03-04 season, and was limited to just 17 games. He played in Austria during the 04-05 lockout, and was back in Edmotnon for 2005-06.

Reasoner was putting together a nice season, but was dealt at the trade deadline to Boston, with Yan Stastny & a 2nd round pick, for Sergei Samsonov.

With the Bruins, Reasoner scored twice in 19 games. He left Beantown as an unrestriced free agent that summer, and resigned with the Edmonton Oilers.

He next signed a three year pact to play for the Atlanta Thrashers in 2008-09. He set a career high with 14 goals in his first year in Georgia. After his second season, he wound up as part of another blockbuster deal.

Atlanta traded Reasoner, Joey Crabb, Jeremy Morin, and 1st and 2nd round picks to the Chicago Blackhawks, for Brent Sopel, Ben Eager, Dustin Byfuglien, and Akim Aliu.

Reasoner never played for Chicago. Less than a month later he was dealt to Florida, for Jeff Taffe.

Reasoner's single season in the Sunshine state was his best in the NHL. He played in all 82 games, matched his career high with 14 goals, and set a new career high was 32 points.

A free agent once again, he signed a two year deal with the New York Islanders. He played 92 games for them over the next two seasons, and retired in 2013.

Reasoner represented the USA on five occasions: The '96 and '97 World Juniors, and the '02, '03, and '06 World Champsionships.

Pictured are Reasoner's Select RC, a BAP Autograph, and a Gold Foil from UD Oilers collection.

Jani Rita

Jani Rita played for Jokerit in Finland as a teenager, and was then drafted by the Edmonton Oilers 13th overall in 1999.

He came to North America in 2001-02. He had a 25 goal / 42 point season with the Hamilton Bulldogs, and made his NHL debut - playing a single game with Edmonton.

2002-03 saw him play in 12 games for the Oilers, and he scored his first 3 NHL goals. He continued to put up impressive numbers in Hamilton, scoring 21 times in 64 games.

The 03-04 season saw Jani play just 2 games in Edmonton, and his numbers slipped a bit in the AHL, he scored 17 with the Toronto Roadrunners (Edmonton had relocated their farm team).

He spent the 2004-05 lockout season at home in Finland, but was back inthe NHL in 2005-06. He played 21 games for the Oilers, scoring 3 times, before he was traded to Pittsburgh along with Cory Corss, for Dick Tarnstrom.

Rita left the NHL after that, and went back to Finland. He played the next 10 seasons with Jokerit. The first 8 of those were in Finland, but the club moved to the KHL in 2014, and it was in that league that Rita played his final two seasons.

He played for Finland at the World Juniors three times, and at the World Championship twice.

Shown here are Rita's Black Diamond Rookie Card, his SPA Sign of the Times autograph, and a Sereal (KHL) Game Used Stick card.

Steve Staios

Steve Staios was drafted 27th overall by the St. Louis Blues in 1991. After a couple more seasons in the OHL, he turn pro with the Peoria Riverman (St. Louis' IHL affiliate) in 1993.

Staios never played for the Blues. He played three seasons in Peoria, and most of a season with the Worcester IceCats, when he was traded at the NHL trade deadline in 1996. He an Kevin Sawyer were sent to the Boston Bruins for Steve Leach. Staios played 7 games for the Providence Bruins, but also a dozen for Boston, making his NHL debut. He never returned to the minors after that.

He was a regular on Boston's blueine in the 1996-97 season, playing 54 games for them, but was claimed on waiver by the Vancouver Canucks, and finsihed the season with them, playing 9 games.

He set a new career high with 77 games playing in Vancouver in 1997-98, but an injury limited him to just 57 games. He was left unprotected in the expansion draft, and was claimed by the Atlanta Thrashers.

With Atlanta he played Right Wing instead of defence, but a knee injury cut his season to just 27 games. He had a bizzare off season in 2000. He was traded to the New Jersey Devils at the NHL draft for a 9th round pick. A few weeks later he was traded back to Atlanta for future considerations.

He was back on the blueline for the 2000-01 season, and played in 70 games. He was named team Captain that season, and scored a career high 9 goals, in 70 games.

An unrestriced free agent, he signed with the Edmonton Oilers in the summer of 2001. He became a key piece of their defence corps. He played in all 82 regular season games on three occasions (03-04, 05-06, and 07-08). He set a career high in points with 28 in 2003-04, and matched it in 2005-06. He played an important part in Edmonton's run to the finals in 2006.

In March of 2009 the unthinkable happened. Steve Staios was traded. That an aging defenceman was moved from a rebuilding Oilers club was no surprise. It's where he was moved to. For the first time in team history, Edmonton completed a trade with the Calgary Flames when they sent Staios there for Aaron Johnson and a 3rd round pick.

Steve finsihed the season in Calgary, and played 39 more games with them the following season. He left as a free agent and joined the New York Islanders for the 2011-12 season. He played 65 games that year, bringing his career total to 1,001 regular season games. Unfortunetly he never got back to the playoffs after that run in 2006.

Staiois represented Canada four times, and the '02, '03, '04, and '08 World Champsionhips. He won a pair of Gold Medals ('03, '04) and a Silver ('08).

In 2012 he took a player development job with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he was promoted to Assistant Coach behind Peter Horachek, when Horachek replaced Ron Wilson.

Staiois took the job running the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2015, as their President and GM. He even stepped behind the bench for a couple of games in 2019-20.

To say Staiois has done well in Hamilton would be an understatement. They were a bad team when he took over in 2015. They won the OHL and finished 3rd at the Memorial Cup in 2018. They're the #1 ranked team in the Country in 2022, and deep into a playoff run as I'm writing this. It's likely only a matter of time before Staiois is offered a job running an NHL team.

Pictured are Staiois's 1996-97 UD Rookie Card, his 9798 BAP Autograph, and an 02-03 Pacific Complete Red /100.

Mike York

In the middle of his 4 year run at Michigan State University, Mike York was selected 136th overall by the New York Rangers. He was a Hobey Baker finalist and All American in both 1998 and 1999.

When he finsihed his fourth season at Michigan he signed with the Rangers, and made his pro debut in 1999, playing three games for the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, and another six in the playoffs. He scored a total of 5 times in those 9 games.

York played in all 82 of the Rangers games in the 1999-00 season. He scored 26 goals, added 24 assists, and was named to the NHL's All-Rookie team.

Partially due to injury, and later opertunity, York was never really able to improve on his rookie campaign. Those 26 goals would end up being his career high, though he did get to 61 points in 2001-02.

The 2001-02 season is also when the Rangers traded York to the Edmonton Oilers. He was swapped wiht a 4th round pick for Rem Murray and Tom Poti.

With the Oilers he did put up pretty good numbers. 22 goals & 51 points in his first season, and 16 goals and 42 points in his second (injury shortened) season. He played for the Iserlohn Roosters in Germany during the 2004-05 lockout, where he was the second highest scorer in the league.

York was then traded to the New York Islanders, with a pick, for Michael Peca. He had a 52 point season in 2005-06, but was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers part way through the 2006-07 season for Randy Robitaille and a 5th round pick. He finsihed the season in Philly, before leaving as a free agent.

He played a season in Phoenix before signing with Columbus. He only plaued a single game for the Blue Jackets, he spent most of the season with the AHL's Syracuse Crunch. That was York's last game in the NHL.

He spent the 2009-10 season with the Rochester Americans, and then moved to Europe. He played a season in Finland, before returing to Iserlohn in the DEL. He played 5 seasons in Germany before retiring in 2016.

York played for the USA at five different tournaments. The '96, '97, '98 World Juniors (Silver in 1997), The 2005 World Champsionhips, and the 2002 Olympic Games (Silver).

Since 2017 he's been an assistant coach with Lake Superior State University.

Pictured are York's 96-97 UD Ice Rookie Card, a 2002-03 BAP Autograph, an 01-02 UD Mask Collection Jersey card.




2002-03

Bobby Allen

A graduate of Boston College, where he was an All American, Bobby Allen was drafted 52nd overall by the Boston Bruins in 1998. After he was done school, he turned pro and joined the Bruins organization, playing 49 games for the Providence Bruins in 2001-02.

He was traded at the 2002 NHL trade deadline to the Edmonton Oilers for Sean Brown. He finsihed the season with the Hamilton Bulldogs, Edmonton's affiliate.

The 2002-03 season saw Brown play a strong game for Hamilton, and he made his NHL debut - playing a single game for theuntil a Oilers.

Allen spent another season in the Oilers system, with the AHL's Toronto Roadrunners, after the AHL club was relocated. That was his final season under contract with Edmonton, he left having just played the single game.

He hit free agency, and signed with the New Jersey Devils. He was never able to crack their NHL club, and spent the next two seasons with the Albany River Rats in the AHL.

The summer of 2006 saw Allen hit free agency again. He would sign with the team that drafted him, and joined the Boston Bruins on a one year deal. He played 31 games for Providence, before being recalled. His physical play got him into 31 NHL games, and he registered 3 assists, and also earned him a new contract.

He broke camp with the Bruins in 2007-08, making the team right away. A back injury limited him to just 19 games, and and he had to retire after 2008.

Pictured are Allen's Premier Rookie Card /399, and a custom cut signature card.

Kristian Antila

Kristian Antila was drafted 1998 by the Edmonton Oilers, 113th overall. His strong play in Finaland over the next few years earned him a contract with the Edmonton Oilers, and he came to North America in 2002.

Antila played a pair of games wtih the Hamilton Bulldogs that season, and 21 for the CHL's Wichita Thunder. He was recalled on an emergeny basis to serve as a backup goalie.

The following season he played 9 games with the ECHL's Columbus Cottonmouths, but decided to go back to Europe. He played 6 games in Sweden.

He split the 2004-05 season between Ilves Tampere (where he got his start) and Luea HF in Finalnd. A groin injury limited him to 22 games, and ultimatly forced his retirment.

Pictured are his first pro card, from the 99-00 Finnish Cardset & a signed copy of his 04-05 Swedish Eliteset. He was kind enough to sign a copy for me through the mail.

Marc-Andre Bergeron

Defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron was a star in the QMJHL. This included seasons of 73 and 101 points in his last two junior seasons with the Shawinigan Cataractes. Despite his success, he was never drafted (likely due to his 5'9" stature).

The Edmonton Oilers offered him a contract, and he turned pro in 2001. In his first season with the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs, he scored twice and added 13 helpers in 50 games.

2002-03 saw Bergeron's minor league production increase. 8 gaols & 39 points in 66 games. He also earned his first NHL call up, scoring once (plus an assist) in 5 games with the Oilers.

2003-04 saw Bergeron still split his time between the NHL and the Minors, but played just 17 AHL games to go along with his 54 NHL games. He scored 9 times for the Oilers that season, and had 26 points.

The 2005-06 season saw Bergeron come back after the lockout, as a full time NHLer. He played 75 games that year, scored 15 times, and added 20 assists.

He scored another 8 goals for the Oilers in 2006-07, to go along with 17 assists - but he was traded to the New York Islanders with a 3rd round pick for Denis Grebeshkov. He played at a near PPG pace with the Isles the rest of the way (6 goals, 15 assists, 23 games). He set a career high with 46 points that year.

Almost a year after they aquired him, the Islander would trade Bergeron to the Anahime Ducks for a 3rd round pick. He played just 9 games for Anaheim, they would deal him the following summer to Minnesota.

He reestabilished himself as a quality offensive dman, and power play specialist, with the Wild. He scored 14 times and added 18 helpers in 2008-09.

A free agent, he signed with the Montreal Canadiens. He had a brief 3 game stint with the Hamilton Bulldogs (they were now Montreal's farm team, not Edmonton's, like when he plaed there years before) but spent most of the season with the big club. He scored 13 goals for the Habs that year, in 60 games.

He hit the open market again, and this time signed with Tampa Bay. H played 78 games for the Lightning over the next two+ seasons, scoring 7 times and adding 30 assists.

He was dealt to the Carolina Hurricans for Adam Hall & a draft pick at the 2013 deadline. He skated in 13 games for the 'Canes down the stretch, putting up four assists.

He'd play the next three seasons in Switzerland, and then joined the Blue Jackets organization on a PTO for 2016-17. He did get a two way contract, but never saw any NHL action with the Jackets, playing just 22 games in the AHL.

After retiring he took a player personal job with his old junior club in Shawinigan. Since 2020 he's been the VP and GM of the Troit Rivieres Lions.

Pictured are Bergeron's UD Rookie Update Rookie Card, and his only "hard signed" certified autograph - it's a Shawinigan Cataractes team issued autograph /100.

Cory Cross

Cory Cross's path to the NHL is not the typical one you read about. He never played major junior, and instead played Canadian University hockey. After two seasons playing for the University of Alberta, he was selected by Tampa Bay in the 1992 Supplimental Draft.

He returned to the Golden Bears for one more season, and turned pro after the University season ended. He played 7 regular season games, and 4 playoff games, with the IHL's Atlanta Knights, Tampa's top minor league affiliate.

He played the bulk of the 1993-94 season with the Knights, but made his NHL debut as well. He played 5 games for Tampa Bay.

The 1994-95 season started with an NHL lockout, so Cross began the year in the IHL again. Once the NHL season started he was recalled for good. He played in 43 of the Lightning's 48 games that year, scoring his first NHL goal.

He was a key mid-pairing defenceman for the Lightning for the next four seasons, but on the eve of the 1999-00 season he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Tampa traded him & a 7th round pick for Fredrik Modin.

Cross played three seasons with the Leafs, before hitting free agency in 2002. He signed with the New Rangers. While he did play a couple of AHL games for their minor league club in Hartford, Cross spent most of his time with the big club, until he was traded.

After 26 games with the Rangers, Cross was dealt (along with Radek Dvorak) to the Edmonton Oilers for Anson Carter and Ales Pisa.

Corey found success in Edmonton, and put up career highs in both goals (7) and points (21) in 2003-04. He was traded again though, during the 2005-06 season, to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Oilers needed a more offensive minded player and sent Cross & Jani Rita to the Penguins for Dick Tarnstrom.

He only played 6 games for Pittsburgh, before he was traded again. This time he went to Detroit (for a 3rd rounder). He finsihed the season with the Red Wings, scoring once in 16 games. Those would be his last in the NHL.

Cross played the 2006-07 season in Germany, with the DEL's Hamburg Freezers, and retired in 2007.

He represented Canada at the World Championships three times; in '97, '98, and '03. He won a Gold Medal in both 1997 and 2003.

Shown are Cross' Upper Deck Rookie Card, his BAP autograph, and an MVP Silver Script /150.

Jiri Dopita

Jiri Dopita's path to the NHL was a very unique one. He got his first taste of pro hockey playing as an 18 year old in the Czech Republic's top league at the age of 18. He scored 22 goals in 38 games as a 20 year old, and was drafted in the 6th round of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins.

He never signed with Boston, and continued to be a star in Europe, playing in both the Czech Republic and Germany. The New York Islanders would use a 5th round pick on him, in 1998 - when he was 29 years old.

By the late 90s / early 00s, after helping the Czech Republic win Gold at the 1998 Olympics - Dopita was considered the "best player in the world, not playing in the NHL". The Isles had traded his rights to Flrodia for a 5th round pick in 1999, and they traded them again to the Philadelphia Flyers for a 2nd round pick in 2001.

Dopita came into the league with high expectations, and never really lived up to them. He did have a 4 goal game for the Flyers, but he scored just 11 (and 27 points) in 52 games. A knee injury cut his season short.

He was dealt to the Edmonton Oilers in the off season, for a 3rd & and a 5th round pick.

Dopita managed just 21 games with the oilers in 2002-03. He scored once, and added five assists - but he never really found a role in Edmonton. He'd return to the Czech Republic after the season ended.

Dopita went on to play another 8 seasons in his home country before retiring. Since retirment he's become a coach, and is currently the coach of WHK Vsetin in the Czech Republic.

Dopita represented the Czech Republic 12 times, wich incudes a pair of Oympics, a pair of World Cups, and 8 World Championships. In addition to the Gold in Nagano, he won Gold at three World Championships ('96, '00, '01) and Bronze at two more ('97, '98).

He won 7 league titles in the Czech Extraliga, 4 Regular Season MVPs, 4 Playoff MVPs, lead the league in goals twice, and was the top point getter in Germany's DEL once.

Pictured are his Pacific Adrenaline RC /984, a Gold BAP autograph, and an SPX Jersey card.

Radek Dvorak

Radek Dvorak was drafted 10th overall by the Florida Panthers in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. He made an imediate impact, making the team in 1995-96 and scoring 13 goals as a rookie.

Dvorak would play another 3+ seasons with the Panthers, his best season coming in 98-99 when he played in all 82 games, scored 19 goals, and had 43 points.

Mid way through the 99-00 season, he was traded to the New York Rangers in a three way swap that included the San Jose Sharks. The Panthers got Mike Verson and a 3rd round pick from the Sharks, who got Todd Harvey and a 4th round pick from the Rangers, and Dvorak was headed to broadway.

After setting a new career high with 50 points (combined, between NYR and FLA) in 99-00, Dvorak had the best season of his career in 2000-01. He played in all 82 Rangers games, scored 31 goals, and had 67 points.

At the 2003 NHL trade deadline, Dvorak was dealt along with Cory Cross to the Edmonton Oilers for Anson Carter & Ales Pisa.

His first full season in Edmonton, 2003-04, he put up 50 points and was an important part of their forward group. After the lockout, he came back to Edmonton for 05-06, and was part of the club that came within a game of winning the 2006 Stanley Cup.

He hit free agency in the summer of 2006 and joined the St Louis Blues. After playing there for a season, he signed with the team that drafted him, the Florida Panthers.

He spent another 3+ seasons in Florida, before he was traded (along with a draft pick) to the Atlanta Thrashers for Pat Rissmiller and Nicklas Bergfors. He played 13 games for the Thrashers, before hitting free agency.

Next Dvorak would sign with the Dallas Stars. His best offensive years were behind him, but he was still a very effective depth forward, playing primarily a defensive / shutdown role.

He signed with Davos in the Swiss league for the 2012-13 lockout. After their playoffs ended he signed with the Anahime Ducks for the remainder of the NHL season, playing in 9 games.

He hit free agency again, and joined the Carolina Hurricans for the 2013-14 season. He played in 60 games, scored 4 times, and added 5 assists. He retired following the 13-14 season with 1260 NHL games under his belt, and 590 points.

Dvorak represented the Czech Republic 8 times, including two European Junior Championships, four World Championships, an Olympic Games, and a World Cup of Hockey. He was on Czech squads that won Gold at the '99, '01, and '05 World Championships.

Pictured are Dvorak's Select RC, a BAP Autograph, an ITG Vault Jersey Card, and an ITG Action base card, showing him with the Oilers.

Kari Haakana

Kari Haakana got his first crack in Finland's top league in 1993, palying for Lukko Rauma, when he was still a teenager.

He was a big, strong, tough defenceman and spent the next 5 seasons playing for Kiekko-Espoo in Finland, before playing a pair of seasons with the Rosenheim Star Bulls in Germany.

He returned home to Finland for the 01-02 season, playing for Jokerit. He was 27 years old, but the Oilers made him their 8th round selection in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

He split the 01-02 season between Jokerit and the Hamilton Bulldogs, playing in his first 6 North American games.

He was back in North America for the 2002-03 season. He played 12 games for the Bulldogs, and 13 for the Oilers. Those would end up being his only NHL games.

He spent the 03-04 season with Modo in Sweden, before retrining to Finland for two more years. He'd spend the 05-06 season in Germany, and then two more Sweden.

2007-08 and 2008-09 saw Haakana played for Karpat and the Pelicans in Finland. He'd spend the final two seasons of his career playing aboard again. He split the 09-10 season between Kloten HC in Switerland and Valpellice in Italy, and played his final season (2010-11) with Ljubijana Olimpija HK in Austria.

Pictured are Haakana's UD Mask Collection RC, and an SEL Autographed card.

Ales Hemsky

A native of the Czech Republic, Ales Hemsky was a junior star for the Hull Olympics when the Edmonton Oilers made him the 13th overall pick in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He would go one to be one of the most dynamic Oilers for the next decade.

He played a final season with Hull in 2001-02, and then made the Oilers out of training camp in 2002-03. His rookie campaign saw him score 6 goals, and add 24 assists, in 59 games.

He hit double digit goals (12) for the first time in 2003-04, before spending the 04-05 lockout playing for his hometown team in Pardubice, in the Czech Republic.

The 2005-06 season saw Hemsky put up his highest career point total, getting 77 points in 81 games. He was a big part of the club that came within a game of winning the 2006 Stanley Cup.

The speedy winger continued to produce for the Oilers, despite the lack of success for the club. He set a career high with 23 goals in 2008-09.

He went home again to Pardubice for the 2012-13 lockout, but rejoined the Oilers for the season once the lockout ended.

2012-13 saw Hemsky's time with Edmonton come to an end. After 55 games he was traded to the Ottawa Senators for a pair of draft picks. He played the rest of the season in Canada's Capital, before hitting free agency.

He signed a 3 year pact with the Dallas Stars, and had solid seasons in 14-15 and 15-16, putting up 11 & 13 goals, to go along with 21 & 26 assists. In 15-16 he got his first taste of playoff hockey since the Oilers run to the finals in 2006. He scored once for Dallas, who was eliminated in the second round by the St. Louis Blues.

Injuries limited Hemsky to just 15 games in 2016-17, and then he was a free agent once again. He signed with the Montreal Canadians. He'd only play 7 games for the Habs. A concussion early in the season ended the year for him, and he'd retire from hockey in 2018.

Hemsky represented the Czech Republic 7 times, the '02 WJC, and '06 & '14 Olympics, the '16 World Cup, and the '05, '09, and '12 World Championships. His Czech teams won Gold at the 2005 Worlds, and bronze at both the 2006 Olypics and 2012 Worlds.

He was named an NHL All Star in 2011, but an injury kept him from playing in the game.

Pictured are Hemseky's Private Stock RC /99, and an SPA Patch / Auto.

Alex Henry

With the 67th pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, the Edmonton Oilers selected a behemoth of a defenceman from the London Knights, in Alex Henry. At 6'5", he was a huge man.

Henry would go pro in the 1999-00 season, and played the next three years with the Oilers' farm club in Hamilton. He was a solid AHL defenceman, using his size to his advantage.

He made the Oilers roster out of training camp in 2002-03, but after three games was placed on waivers to be sent back to the minors. He was claimed by the Washington Captials.

He'd play 38 games for the Caps that year, and was eventually sent to Portland in the AHL.

A free agent, Henry then signed with the Minnesota Wild. He played 71 games for them in 2003-04, scoring twice, and adding four assists. He spent the 04-05 lockout playing in Germany, and was a regular on the Wild blue line again in 2005-06.

Next up, Alex signed with the Nashville Predators, though he never played an NHL game for them. He spent two seasons with their top affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. He'd join the Montreal Canadiens in 2008-09, but played primarily in the AHL. He did play in a pair of games for the Habs, thouse would be his last two NHL contests.

After three more seasons playing in the AHL, where he'd been named team Captain, he left for Europe.

He spent 2012-13 playing in Germany, and 2013-14 playing in The Netherlands, before retiring.

Pictured are his UD Top Shelf Rookie Card, and his Bowman CHL Prospects Autograph.

Brad Isbister

Born in Edmonton, and raised in Calgary, Brad Isbister was a big (6'4") power forward with the WHL's Portland Winterhawks when the Winnipeg Jets drafted him 67th overall in 1995.

He made his pro debut at the end of the 96-97 season, playing 7 games for the AHL's Springfield Falcons. The following season he made his NHL debut with the Phoenix Coyotes, after the Jets had relocated. He played 66 games with Arizona, scoring 9 times, adding 8 helpers, and rakcing up 102 PIMs.

The 98-99 season saw him play in just 32 NHL contests, and he had stints in both the AHL and IHL.

He was traded in March of 1999 to the New York Islanders, along with a 3rd round pick, for Robert Reichel & a pair of draft picks.

Brad played for the Islanders in 1999-00, and set career highs with 22 goals and 42 points. He'd continue to be a physical goal scorer for the Isles over the next few seasons, until he was traded again during the 2002-03 season.

New York traded Isbister and Raffi Torres to the Edmonton Oilers for Janne Niinimaa & a 2nd round pick. He played 13 games for the Oilers down the stretch, scoring three times.

Injuries limited Isbister to just 51 games in 2003-04, when he scored 10 for Edmonton. He'd play in Austria during the NHL lockout of 04-05, and was then traded to the Boston Bruins for a draft pick, before the 2005-06 season started.

He played just one season in Boston, before signing with Carolina as a free agent. He never cracked the Hurricanes roster, and instead played for the Albany River Rats. He'd be traded to the New York Rangers and he split the rest of the 2006-07 season between the Hartford Wolf Pack (34 games) and the Rangers (19 games).

A free agent again, Isbister signed with the Vancouver Canucks. He played 55 games for them in 2007-08, scoring 6 times. He spent the 2008-09 season playng in Switerland, before retiring.

Isbister played for Team Canada three times: He won Gold at the 1997 World Junior Championships, and also played on the 2000 and 2001 World Champsionhip teams.

Pictured are Isbister's UD Ice Rookie Card, a BAP AUtograph, and a UD High Gloss parallel, showing him with the Oilers.

Fernando Pisani

There was something in the air that night, the stars were bright, FERNANDO!

Not the biggest NHL star you'll read about in this thread, but Fernando Pisani is a name that Oilers fans of the right vintage will never forget.

After putting up 40 gaols and 103 points with the St. Albert Saints of the AJHL in 95-96, Fernando Pisani was drafted 195th overall by the Edmonton Oilers.

He spent the next four seasons playing for Providence College, before turning pro in 2000. He spent the next two seasons playing for the Oilers farm team, the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs.

Pisani made his NHL debut in 2002-03, playing in 35 games for the Oilers, while playing another 41 in Hamilton.

He was a full time NHLer in 2003-04, played in 76 NHL contests, and scored 16 goals while adding 14 assists.

He played in Switerland and Italy for the 2004-05 season, while the NHL was locked out. He was back with the Oilers for 2005-06, which would become his most notable season.

Pisani played in 80 games that season, and set career highs with 18 goals and 19 assists. He was an effective depth player, and strong penalty killer. He also had a 2006 playoff for the ages.

After scoring 18 regular season goals, Pisani led all players in goals with 14 during those NHL playoffs, including 5 game winners. His short-handed / overtime goal in Game 5 of the finals is the only time in finals history that a short handed goal was scored in overtime.

He scored the Oilers only goal in their game 7 loss to Carolina, and nearly tied it up with 3 minutes to go. His strong playoff performance earned him a new 4 year, $10 million contract.

Pisani played the next four seasons in Edmonton, but never matched his 05-06 season. He was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2007, and the disese made it hard for him to stay healthy enough to play all the time. His final two seasons in Edmonton, he played in just 38 and 40 games.

He joined the Chicago Blackhawks for the 2010-11 season, after hitting free agency. He played 60 games for them, scoring 7 times. He briefly played in Sweden during the 2011-12 season (three games) before retiring.

Shown here are Pisani's SPX Rookie Card, a SOTT Autograph, a H&P Game Used Number, and a Game Dated moments (SSP'd parallel) marking the short-handed OT goal he scored in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Alexi Semenov

Russian defencman Alexi Semenov was drafted in the 2nd round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers, after playing for the OHL's Sudbury Wolves.

He spent the next two seasons developing in Sudbury, but made his pro debut in 1999-00, playing in three playoff games for the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs.

After playing the entire 2001-02 season with Hamilton, Semenov split the 2002-03 season between Hamilton and Edmonton. Making his NHL debut, Alexi logged 46 NHL games, scored his first career goals, and had 6 assists.

He was a regular on the Oilers blue line for the 03-04 season, playing in 46 games. He spent the 04-05 lockout playing in Russia, and was back with the Oilers for the 2005-06 season.

After 11 games with the Oilers, he was dealt to the Florida Panthers for a draft pick. He played 16 games for the Panthers that season, and also spent time in the AHL witht he Rochester Americans.

2006-07 saw him play more in Rochester, 23 games with the Panthers, and he also played 20 games in Russia.

He's sign with the San Jose Sharks as a free agent after that, and played 69 games for them over the next two seasons.

He went to the KHL after that, and played for a variety of teams in Russia's top league. He played up until the end of the 2020-21 season, when he retired at the age of 40.

Semenov played in the 2004 NHL Young Stars All Star ame, he was twice an All Star in the OHL, he was named most outstanding defensman while in the OHL. He was also part of the St. Petersburg team that won the Spengler Cup in 2011.

Pictured are Semenov's Premier Jersey Card, and a KHL autograph card.

Jarett Stoll

Jarett Stoll's junior career spanned 5 seasons with the Ice, first in Edmonton, and then in Kootenay after the team relocated. He was named team Captain in 99-00 and led his team to the Memorial Cup, but they were beaten in the tournament. Two years later Stoll led them back to the Memorial Cup, this time leaving as Champs.

He was drafted in 2000, but the Calgary Flames, 46th overall. He never came to terms with the Club, and his rights were dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs. A deal was apparently agreed to, but it wasn't finalized in time - and Stoll reentered the NHL draft. The Edmonton Oilers would select him with the 36th overall pick.

Drafting a 20 year old means he's immediatly going to turn pro, and Stoll played 76 games for the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2002-03, scoring 21 times for a total of 54 points. He also made his NHL debut, playing in 4 games for the Oilers, and notched his first career NHL assist.

2003-04 saw Stoll make the big club as a full time member. He played 68 games, scored 10 goals, and had 21 points. He was eligible for the minors in 2004-05 during the NHL lockout, so Stoll played another year in the AHL. He scored 21 goals again, this time with the Toronto Roadrunners, Edmonton's new farm team.

That was the end of Stoll's time in the minors. He was back to being a full time NHLer in 2005-06. He scored 22 goals in 82 games, and had 68 points. These would all be career highes. He was a key member of their forward group, in a run to Game 7 of the 2006 Stanley Cup final.

Stoll's production dropped to 13 goals in 51 games the following year, and then 14 in 81 games in 2007-08. The Oilers were rebuilding, and they dealt him to the Los Angles Kings in the summer of 2008, along with Matt Greene, for Lubomir Visnovsky.

Stoll would go on to play the next 7 seasons with the Kings, mainly as a 3rd (and then 4th) line Center. His first three seasons in LA were his most productive (18, 16, & 20 goals, along with 41, 47, & 43 points). In both 2012 and 2014 he helped the Kings win the Stanley Cup.

A free agent in 2015, Stoll signed with the New York Rangers. After scoring once in 29 games, he was waived by the club, and claimed by the Minnesota Wild. He played 51 games for Minnesota, scoring 3 times. He retired following the 2015-16 season.

Jerett played for Canada as a junior three times, winning Gold with the U18s in 1999, Bronze at the World Juniors in 2001, and Silver at the World Juniors in 2002.

Pictured are Stoll's Premier RC /399, a SOTT Autograph, and an SPGU dual jersey card.

2003-04

Mike Bishai

Edmonton native Mike Bishai played two seasons with the South Surrey Eagles of the BCHL, before heading to the NCAA and playing four years with Western Michigan University.

He was never drafted, but signed with the Edmonton Oilers in 2002, following the end of the NCAA season.

He made his pro debut at the end of the 01-02 season, playing three games for the Hamilton Bulldogs.

2002-03 season saw Bishai split the year between the AHL Bulldogs and the ECHL's Columbus Cottonmouths. 2003-04 is when he finally got his NHL promogtion. Bishai played in 14 games for the Oilers, and registered 2 assists. He also played 48 games for the Toronto Roadrunners.

The 04-05 NHL season was lost to a lockout, and Bishai played the season with the Oilers' relocated farm club, now the Edmonton Roadrunners.

He was a free agent after that, and joined the Phoenix Coyotes. He spent the entire 2005-06 season in the AHL, with the San Antonio Rampage.

Mike spent the next five seasons playing overseas. He'd play for Moscow Dynamo in Russia, the a year each with Ilves and Jokerit in Finland. He split the 11-12 season between Lausanne and Thurgau in Switerland, and then finsihed his career playing in German with Bietighehim-Bissingen in 2012-13.

He will be remembered forever by Oilers fans for his fight against the Atlanta Thrasher's Serge Aubin in 2004. Aubin tossed Bishai into the Atlanta bench, and then Bashi stood back up and contiuned to fight Aubin, while on the Atlanta bench still.

Picured are a copy of Bishai's UD Rookie Update RC, and a signed copy of his Topps Complete base card.

Mikko Luoma

With the 181st pick in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, the Oilers took a chance on then 26 year old Mikko Luoma. The 6'3" defenceman was a star playing Tappara in his home country of Finlant.

Luoma would migrate to North America for the 2003-04 season, after signing a deal with the Oilers. He played 65 games for the Toronto Roadrunner of the AHL, and 3 for the Oilers. With Edmonton, he did get his first (and only) NHL point, registering an assist.

Not wanting to stay in North America to play in the minors, he signed with Malmo in Sweden for the 2004-05 lockout season. He ended up staying in the SEL for 7 of the next 8 season (playing one year in the KHL as well) - he never came back to North America.

In 2013-14 Mikko went home to Finland, and played three seasons with Jyvaskyla. He split the 2016-17 season between MODO in Sweden, and Bolzano in Austria before retiring.

Lumoa won an SM-Ligga title with Tappara in 2003, had the best plus minus in the SEL in 2006, and in 2008 he was an SEL All Star, won the Salming Trophy as top defenceman, and his team (HV71) won the SEL championship.

He played for Finland at the World Champsionships twice, winning Bronze in both 2006 and 2008.

Since 2018 he's been a European Scout for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Picutred are Lumoa's SPX Jersey Rookie Card, and an SEL Autograph card.

Doug Lynch

Doug Lynch was a standout defenceman for the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL. After 49 points and 181 PIMs in the 2000-01 season, the 6'3" blueliner was selected by the Edmonton Oilers with the 43rd overall pick in 2001.

Lynch followed up his draft year, with his best junior season yet. He scored 21 games, had 48 points, and 202 PIMs with the Reberls in 01-02. He was traded to the Spokane Chiefs during the 02-03 season, where he finsihed his junior career.

Doug turned pro for the 2003-04 season, and played most of the year with the Toronto Roadrunners of the AHL, where he was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team. He played great for Edmonton's farm club, popping 11 goals and adding 25 helpers, and he was rewarded with a two game call up, making his NHL debut.

Lynch spent the entire 2004-05 lockout season with the Edmonton Roadrunner, the Oilers had relocated their farm club. He was expected to challenge for an NHL job in the 2005-06 season, but was packaged up with Eric Brewer and Jeff Woywitka, and sent to the St. Louis Blues for Chris Pronger.

He was never able to crakc the Blues lineup, and split the next two sesons between the Blues' affiliates in the AHL (Peoria Rivermen) and the ECHL (Alaska Aces).

A free agent in 2007, Lynch would sign with Salzburg EC in Austria. He played four of the next five seasons with the club, as well as one in Vienna.

He'd head to Frolunda HC in Sweden for a year after that, but returned to Salzburg mid with through the campaign. Lynch played one final season in Salzburg, and retired in 2014.

Pictured are Lynch's Ultimate Memoribilia Rookie Card, and a UD Top Prospects Jersey Card.

Tyler Moss

Tyler Moss was selected in the 2nd round, 29th overall, by Tampa Bay in 1993. He starred with the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs for two more seasons, before turning pro in 1995-96.

Moss was never able to crack Tampa's lineup, and was traded to the Calgary Flames for Jamie Huscrofy in 1997. The following year he excelled with the AHL's Saint John Flames, winning the Hap Holmes Memorial Award (best GAA in the league, minimum 25 starts) and made his NHL debut with Calgary, going 2-3-1.

He played another 11 games for the Flames the following season, and was then traded to the Pittsburg Penguins, along with Rene Corbet, for Brad Werenka.

Moss never played for Pittsburgh. He split the year between the AHL & IHL, and signed with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2000.

00-01 saw Moss set a career high with 12 NHL games, he spent most the season in the minors. After another season with Carolina's AHL club, he joined the Vancouver Canucks. He'd play a single game for Vancouver in 2002-03, and was back with the Mannitoba Moose for 2003-04.

February of 2004 saw Edmonton in need of goaltending depth due to Ty Conklin's broken hand, and Moss was swapped for Peter Sarno.

Moss would backup Tommy Salo for 7 games, before being reassigned to the Toronto Roadrunners. He played 50 games for the Edmonton Roadrunners in 2004-05, but with no NHL job looming he signed to play in Russia for the 2005-06 season.

Tyler played four seasons in Russia, followed by two seasons in Germany, before retiring in 2012.

Shown here are Moss' Crown Royal RC, and his BAP Autograph.

Petr Nedved

Petr Nedved played in an Internationl Midget tournament in Calgary, over Christmas of 1988. He was the star of the tournament, scoring 17 goals and adding 9 assists. On January 2nd 1989, a 17 year old Nedved (with $20 in his pocket) walked into a Calgary Police Station, and defected from Czechoslovakia to Canada.

The 6'3" Petr Nedved went on to score whooping 65 goals and 80 assists in 71 games for the WHA's Seattle Thunderbirds in 1989-90. After that monster season, the Vancouver Canucks selected him 2nd overall in 1990.

He signed an entry level contract with Vancouver, and made the team out of his first NHL training camp. He scored 10 goals as a rookie, and 15 in his second season. The 1992-93 season is when Nedved really came into his own. He played in all 84 Canuck games, scored 38 goals, and had 71 points.

He and the Canucks couldn't work out a contract extension, and he held out. He started the 93-94 season playing for the Canadian Nation Team, and represented his adopted country at the 1994 Winter Olympics, winning Silver.

He would end up signing with the St. Louis Blues, and an arbitrator awarded Craig Janney & a 2nd round pick to Vancouver as compensation. He put up 20 points in 19 games with St. Louis that year. Janny, interestingly, never played for Vancouver. He refused to report to the Canucks, and a week later they traded him back to St. Louis for Jeff Brown, Bret Hedican, and Nathan LaFayette.

Nedved's stay in St. Louis was a short one. Newly minted headcoach Mike Keenan wanted to bring in players from the New York Rangers (whom he'd just won a cup with) and traded Nedved to New York for Doug Lidster and Esa Tikkanen.

Nedved played the shortened 94-95 season in New York, but didn't match his prior production. He put up just 23 points in 46 games. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins with Sergei Zubov, for Luc Robitaille and Ulf Samuelsson.

Petr excellend in Pittsburgh. The 1995-96 season saw him set career highs with 45 goals and 99 points. He came back the following year with 33 goals and 71 points, but after two strong seasons with the Pens, Nedved found himself in another contract disput.

He missed the entire 1997-98 season trying to negotiate a new contract. He played a few games for the IHL's Las Vegas Thunder, and also with Sparta Praha in his native Czech Republic. He begame the 98-99 season with Las Vegas again, but the Penguins traded him in late November, along with Chris Tamer and Sean Pronger, for Alexei Kovalev and Harry York. Nedved was heading back to Broadway.

Nedved had an immediate impact with his new club. He scored 20 goals in 56 games that season, and played at a new point-per-game pace for two seasons after. He best New York season was in 2000-01 when he scored 32 goals, and had 46 assists. He production started to dip in 2001-02, but he still had seasons of 46 and 58 points. Pretty good for "down years".

In 2003-04, Nedved had only amassed 31 points thorugh 65 games with the Rangers, when he was traded (along with Jussi Markkanen) to the Edmonton Oilers for Steve Valiquette, Swight Helminen, and a pair of draft picks.

With the Oilers, Nedved finished off his season with the scoring pace he was used to. He had 15 points in 16 games with the Oilers.

After spending the 2004-05 lockout with Sparta Praha, Nedved was a free agent and signed with the Phoenix Coyotes. Half way through the season he'd be traded to Philadelphia with a pick, for Dennis Seidenberg and a pick.

Nedved was not a regular in the Flyers lineup, and even spent a bit of time in the AHL with the Philly Phantoms in 2006-07. He was placed on waivers and claimed by the Edmonton OIlers. Nedved would play his final 19 NHL games with Edmonton, scoring his final NHL goal.

He joined Sparta Praha again for the 2007-08 season, and then played six seasons with Liberec Billi Tygri. He'd retire in 2014.

Nedved's international career is an exceptionally rare one, as he's represented - and won medals - with two different countries. He won Silver at the 1994 Olympics with Canada, played for the Czech Republic at the 1996 World Cup, won Bronze with the Czechs at the 2012 World Championships, and played in his second Olympic games for the Czech Republic in 2014, 20 years after he played for Canada.

Pictured are Nedved's OPC Premier Rookie Card, a signed copy of his Pro Set RC (I met him back in '94 when he was playing for the Canadian National Team), a Topps Complete base card showing him with the Oilers, and a Pacific jersey card.

Adam Oates

While playing for the Markham Waxers in the Ontario Junior Hockey League, Adam Oates was seen by a University Scout who was there eyeing another player. He was offered a spot on the RPI Engineers, and he took it.

Each season at RPI was better than the last. In his final season there, Oates scored 31 goals, and had 60 assists, in the team's 38 games. He also lead his team to a 1985 National Championship, was named an All American (for the second time), and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker.

Having been undrafted, Oates was a free agent - and an incredibly hot commodity. He'd sign with the Detroit Red Wings, getting a 4 year deal worth 1.1 million (total) breaking the record for a rookie contract.

Oates' rookie season didn't go as planned. He did make the Red Wings, but played in only 38 games - scoring 9 times to go along with 11 assists. He played almost as many games in the minors, 34 with the Adirondack Red Wings.

Those would be the only minor league games Oates would ever play. His point total increased to 47 the following year, and climibed to 54 and then 78 in 88-89.

After the Red Wings lost in the first round of the '89 playoffs, the decided changes had to be made. Oates was sent to the St. Louis Blues, along with Paul MacLean, for Bernie Federko and Tony McKegney. It's a trade that is considered amoung the worst in Red Wings history.

Oates was immediatly made the Blues' #1 Centre, and pair with Brett Hull. He was the setup man for one of the league's top snipers. He racked up 79 assists in his first season with St. Louis, and scored 23 goals. He'd best both numbers the following season, scoring 25 times and adding 90 assists.

Upset with his contract status, he let the Blues know he was unhappy. Rather than renegotiat, they traded him mid way through the 91-92 season to the Boston Bruins, for Craig Janny and Stephane Quintal. Adam put up 30 points in 26 games with the Bruins.

1992-93 was Oate's first full season in Boston, and the best season of his career. He scored 45 goals, and lead the league with 97 assists. While he never reached those lofty numbers again, he was still a premier offensive player the rest of his time in Boston.

His time in Beantown came to an end during the 1996-97 season. The Bruins had decided to rebuild, and they traded Adam Oates along with Rick Tochett & Bill Ranford to the Washington Capitals for Jason Allison, Anson Carter, Jim Carey, and a 3rd round pick.

He played near a point per game pace for parts of 6 seasons with Washington. He was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers at the 2002 NHL trade deadline, for Maxime Ouellet, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round draft picks. The Flyers were bulking up for a deep playoff run, but were eliminated in Round 1.

Oates was now a free agent, and signed a one year deal to join the Anahime Mighty Ducks. He put up 45 points in 67 games, before hitting free agency once again.

The Edmonton Oilers signed Oates for the 2003-04 season. He played 60 games for them, scored twice, and added 16 assists in what was mostly a depth role. He was credited with helping both Shawn Horcoff and Jarett Stoll become strong faceoff men.

Oates would retire in 2004 with 1,337 NHL games under his belt, 341 goals, and 1,079 assists. He's currently the 18th learning scorer of all time, but will almost certainly be pased by both Ovechkin and Crosby next season. His 1,079 assists ranks 8th all time.

Oates was a 5 time all star, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012.

Since retirment he's been an NHL coach. He spent a year as a Tampa Bay Assistant, two years as an Assistant with New Jersey, two years as Washinton's Head Coach, and another season as a Co-Coach with the Devils.

Pictured are Oates' OPC Rookie Card, a SOTT Autograph, and an SPGU Authentic Patch card.

Tony Salmelainen

Hockey runs deep in the Salmelainen family. Tony's father, Tommi, was the first ever European drafted by an NHL club when the St. Louis Blues made him the 66th overall pick in 1969 (though he never played in the NHL).

Tony bested his father's draft slot by 25, and was selected 41st overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 1999. He played the next four seasons in Finland, for HIFK Helsinki and Ilves Tampere.

Salmelainen moved to Norther American in 2002, and spent a season playing for the Oilers' AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs. He put up a season with 14 goals and 33 points, in 67 games.

2003-04 would bring even more success. Salmelainen's season with the recloated farm club (the Toronto Roadrunnners) was even better than the year before. He scored 19 goals and had 44 points, in 58 games. He also made his NHL debut and played in 13 contests with the Oilers, registering a single assist.

The 2004-05 lockout left him in the minors, but he build on his prvious strong season. Tony posted totals of 22 goals and 46 points in 76 games.

The lockout was over, but Salmelainen wasn't gaurenteed a spot on the Oilers roster, so he opted to return to Helsinki. He had an amazing season over there, scoring 27 goals and 55 points in 53 games. He was named best player in the league, as he led SM-Ligga in both goals and points.

He was playing well enough that he was the prospect (along with a pick) that the Chicago Blackhawks asked for in a trade, for Jaroslav Spacek.

Tony was back in North America for the 2006-07 season, and played 57 games for Chicago, scoring 6 goals and adding 11 assists. After the season ended he was traded tot eh Montreal Canadiens (along with Jassen Cullimore) for Sergie Samsonov.

Salmelainen hit free agency and signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He started the season with the AHL's Toronto Marlies, but then signed with Yarosavl Lokomotiv for bigger money, and left to play in Russia.

After a season in the Russian Super League, he spent the next five seasons playing in Switerland. His final season was 2013-14 when went back home and played for Helskini again.

Salmelainen represented Finaland three times as a junior in 1998. 1999, and 2000.

Picutred are Salmelainen's Jersey / Auto Rookie Card from SPX, and an amazing looking Heroes & Prospects patch card.

Peter Sarno

Peter Sarno was the Edmonton Oilers 6th round pick in the 1997 NHL Entry draft, after he scored 20 goals, and had 83 points, as an OHL rookie with the Windsor Spitfires.

The 1997-98 season saw Sarno lead the OHL in scoring, with 121 points. He also got called up to play for the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL, after his season with Windsor ended. He scored a goal & added an assist in his first 8 professional games.

Sarno was dealt from Windsor to the Sarnia Sting in the offseason, but he picked up right where he left off. Sarno lead the OHL in scoring once again, this time with 130 points.

He turned pro in 1999-00, scored 10 goals, and had 46 points in 67 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs. His 2000-01 season would be even better. His assist total matched his prior year's point total (46) and he scored 19 goals.. The 52 points he put up in 2001-02 was a bit of dip, but he was playing excellent in the AHL.

2002-03 saw Sarno leave the Oilers organization, and sign to play in Finaland. He played for the Espoo Blues, and put up 40 points in 45 games.

2003-04 saw Sarno resign wtih the oilers, and he came back to North America. He played 31 games for the Toronto Roadrunners, and made his NHL debut - scoring a goal in 6 games for the Oilers.

With injuries mounting to their goalies, the Oilers would trade Sarno in February to the Vancouver Canucks for Tyler Moss. He finsihed the year with the Manitoba Moose.

Sarno spent another season with the Moose, and then hit free agency. He signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He played 39 games with the AHL's Syracuse Crunch, but spent a fair amount of time on the Jackets' roster. He only played one game for them though.

Peter would go back to Europe for the 2006-07 season, playing in Switzerland. He'd spend the next three seasons in Germany, before splitting the 2010-11 season between Italy and Switerland. He retired after the 2010-11 season.

Shown here are a pair of Peter Sarno Rookie cards: His Parkhurst Auto RC, and his SPX Jersey Rookie.

Raffi Torres

Raffi Torres was the protypical power forward. His second season of junior, with the Brampton Battalion, saw him score 43 goals & 48 assists, in 68 games. The New York Islanders made him the #5 pick in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

After another successful season in junior, Torres went pro in 2001-02. He played most of the season with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in the AHL, but also laced them up in 14 games for the New York Islanders. He recorded his first NHL point, an assist.

2002-03 saw more of the same. He played the bulk of the year with the SOund Tigers, and just 17 with Long Island. The Isles would trade him mid-season, along with Brad Isbister, to the Edmonton Oilers for Janne Niinimaa and a 2nd round pick.

Torres finsihed the season with the Hamilton Bulldogs, scoring just once in 11 games.

At the start of the 2003-04 season, Raffi broke camp with the Oilers, and would play in 80 games for them. He scored his first 20 NHL goals that season, and was starting to show the promise the Isles saw when they drafted him.

Torres spent the 04-05 lockout playing in the AHL, but was back on the NHL roster for the 2005-06 season. It would end up being his best in the NHL. He played in all 82 games, scored 27 goals, and had 41 points.

The 06-07 season saw Torres' number drop, and then injuries limited him to just 32 games in 2007-08. The Oilers would trade him that summer to the Columbus Blue Jackets, for Gilbert Brule.

He spent the 08-09 season with Columbus, and most of the 09-10 season too, but the Jackets traded him to the Buffalo Sabres in March of 2010 for Nathan Paetsch and a 2nd round draft pick.

Torres would hit the Free Agent Market the next two summers. He signed with Vancouver in 2010, and in Phoenix in 2011. Each of those seasons saw him healthy (80, and 79 games) and double digit (14, 15) goals. The Coyotes would trade him to the San Jose Sharks mid way through the 2012-13 season, for a 3rd round pick.

In both 2013 and 2014, Torres got himself into suspension troubles with San Jose. He was suspended for far more games than he ever played for the Sharks. An injury forced him to miss the entire 2014-15 season, but he was ready to comeback in 2015-16.

The Sharks sent him to the AHL, on a conditioning stint, but they never brought him back. They dealt him to the Toronto Maple Leafs with a pair of 2nd round picks, for Roman Polak and Nick Spaling. Torres never played for the Leafs, and missed the rest of the season.

After attempting to comeback on a PTO with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2016, Torres announced his retirmed.

Internationally, he represtened Canada once, scoring the winning goal in the Bronze Medal game at the 2001 World Junior Championships.

Pictured are Torres' Premier Auto/Rookie Card, and SPX Jersey Card, and a UD Ice card, showing him with the Oilers.

Steve Valiquette

The Los Angles Kings made Steve Valiquette an 8th round pick in 1996, after a great season with the OHL's Sudbury Wolves. He continued to star in the OHL with his 6'6" frame, for another two seasons before turning pro.

He never made it with the Kings, and hit free agency in 1998. He's sign with the New York Islanders. He spent the next few seasons mostly in the minors, but put up a 2-0-0 record in 6 games with the Isles in 1999-00. He set a record as the tallest goalie to play in the NHL, but that was since surpassed by Ben Bishop.

The summer of 2003 saw him a free agent once again, and Valiquette signed with the Edmonton Oilers. He was claimed in the Waiver draft by the Florida Panthers before the season started, but was reclaimed by the Oilers less than a week later. He spent most of the season in the minors, but was called up briefly by the Oilers and used as a backup. He played 14 minutes in relief.

In March of 2004, Valiquette was dealt tot he New York Rangers with Dwight Helminen and a 2nd round pick, for Petr Nedved and Jussi Markkanen. he played two games for the Ranger before the end of the year.

After spending the 2005-06 season playing in Russia, Valiquette was back with the Rangers in 2006-07, though he played most of the season in the minors. He was a full time backup with the Rangers in 07-08 and 08-09, and set a career high was 15 NHL games in 08-09. His last season with the Rangers came in 2009-10. He played his final 6 NHL games, and 11 in the AHL.

Steve spent the 2010-11 season in Russia with CSKA Mosow, and the 2011-12 with Valpellice in Italy before reitiring.

Pictured are Valiquette's Revolution RC, a signed copy of his BAP Memoribilia RC, and his Donruss "Boys of Winter" jersey card.

 

[CeddieB]

Another interesting read. I can't imagine the time it takes to compile these.

Looks like you can only go for a couple more years before you'll have to wait for some retirements!

 

[capsfan30]

Love reading these posts. So much info that I never knew on guys I only remember in passing!

Funny how many of these players also played for the Caps, I never put two and two together how many there actually was.

 

[30ranfordfan]

Another interesting read. I can't imagine the time it takes to compile these.

Looks like you can only go for a couple more years before you'll have to wait for some retirements!

I'm getting there.... my best guess is I'll split the last pre-McDavid years into two more threads, and McDavid-Present will take two more threads to complete..... then I've got a few others to show too.

At some point, I'll do an "update" thread as well. Won't have the same writeups - just highlight cards I've added since the original pictures were posted.

It is time consuming. It's fun for me to write about them - but I only have so much time I can put into it. When I get into a good writing mode though, I can try and push out 3-5 a day... and if I keep that going for a while, they do start to finish quickly.

Glad you enjoyed it!

Love reading these posts. So much info that I never knew on guys I only remember in passing!

Funny how many of these players also played for the Caps, I never put two and two together how many there actually was.

There's tons of overlap with other teams. This is very unscientific guess, but if memory serves me correctly - Washington, New York Rangers, Los Angles, St. Louis, and Calgary are probably the five teams that get mentioned most as the ones where players played either before or after Edmonton. Something I might sit down and try to figure out one of these days.

TONS of these guys are players that many wouldn't remember.... or might give a "oh yeah, that guy". Obviously the big stars are the highlights of these threads - but when writing I do enjoy having to look up and read about players. While I think I'd be great at a "did he ever play for the Oilers?" type trivia game - remembering what happened to the most obscure guys.... no way I can do that.

Guys like Comrie, Horcoff, Stoll - Everyone remembers them (to some degree). Probably has a good idea about where their careers went. Brain Swanson? Not so much.