---He Scores---: June 2007

Marc Ciampa edmontonoilers.com Writer / Producer
Jun 25, 2007, 6:03 PM EDT
On Friday night, the Edmonton Oilers made Sam Gagner their first choice, sixth overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Here is some video, audio and other information on one of the newest Oilers... PLAYER PROFILELondon • OHL 5'11", 191 lbs. Center/Wing, shoots right Born: August 10, 1989 in London, Ontario Final Ranking: 6 • Mid-Term Ranking: 3 • North American Skater

Sam GagnerCentral Scouting Report: A skilled forward with the ability to make the big plays…has very good hands and is creative with the puck… has a good wrist shot with a quick release... has high-end passing skill both forehand and backhand…sees the ice very well… reliable in the defensive end and used in critical situations… a good skater, but needs to work on his acceleration and mobility…needs to improve his ability to fight through checks. Hockey Profile: Was the youngest member of Team Canada’s gold medal-winning team at the 2007 World Junior Championships in Sweden… member of the Western Conference All-Stars for the OHL All-Star Classic, tallying five points (1-4-5)… participated in the 2007 CHL Top Prospects Game... finished second in rookie scoring behind teammate Patrick Kane with 118 points in 53 games (35-83-118) in 2006-07… was named the OHL Player of the Week for the week ending on Oct. 15, 2006 – he had 14 points (4-10-14) in four games… played for Sioux City of the USHL, totaling 46 points (11-35-46) in 56 games in 2005-06… was named to the USHL All-Rookie Team in 2005-06… was selected to the Western Conference All-Star Team for the 2006 USHL All-Star Game. Personal Profile: Nickname is Gons, derived from the pronunciation of his last name… his father, Dave, played 15 seasons in the NHL, registered two consecutive 40-goal seasons (1989-90 and 1990-91), had 719 career points and played for Canada at the 1984 Winter Olympics… patterns his game after his favorite player, Peter Forsberg of the Nashville Predators, because “he makes all the players around him better”… says his dad has had the most influence on his career – “he has taught me so much about the game”… most memorable hockey game watched: Game #6 of the Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Finals in 1994 – Messier guaranteed the win the day before the game and then led the Rangers comeback against New Jersey with a hat trick… most memorable hockey game: shootout victory win over Team USA in the 2007 World Junior Championships semi-final game… if he could have dinner with any three people they would be: former NHL All-Stars Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr and Steve Yzerman… favorites include: Goo Goo Dolls (group), Will Ferrell (actor), Anchorman (movie), NHL 2007 (video game), Family Guy (TV show) and “fake shot, backhand to forehand” (shootout move).