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On the Clock: Edmonton Oilers: Behind the Scenes with the Edmonton Oilers at the NHL Draft
An insider history of the Edmonton Oilers at the NHL draft
A singular, transcendent talent can change the fortunes of a hockey team instantly. Each year, NHL teams approach the draft with this knowledge, hoping that luck will be on their side and that their extensive scouting and analysis will pay off.
In On the Edmonton Oilers , Allan Mitchell explores the fascinating, rollercoaster history of the Oilers at the draft, from first pick Kevin Lowe through Connor McDavid and beyond. Readers will go behind the scenes with top decision-makers as they evaluate, deliberate, and ultimately make the picks they hope will tip the fate of their franchise toward success.
From seemingly surefire first-rounders to surprising late selections, this is a must-read for Oilers faithful and hockey fans eager for a glimpse at how teams are built.
A singular, transcendent talent can change the fortunes of a hockey team instantly. Each year, NHL teams approach the draft with this knowledge, hoping that luck will be on their side and that their extensive scouting and analysis will pay off.
In On the Edmonton Oilers , Allan Mitchell explores the fascinating, rollercoaster history of the Oilers at the draft, from first pick Kevin Lowe through Connor McDavid and beyond. Readers will go behind the scenes with top decision-makers as they evaluate, deliberate, and ultimately make the picks they hope will tip the fate of their franchise toward success.
From seemingly surefire first-rounders to surprising late selections, this is a must-read for Oilers faithful and hockey fans eager for a glimpse at how teams are built.
464 pages, Paperback
Published September 27, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 3, 2022
This book is exactly the book that someone would expect when they learned that Lowetide was writing a book. It is a fairly comprehensive history of the Oilers at the draft with insight about each pick and a bit of analysis about each scouting director and their high and low points.
December 19, 2022
I follow Allan Mitchell at his Edmonton Oilers blog, Lowetide. He is a radio personality and hockey maven from Edmonton, Alberta, home of the one sports team I follow, the NHL Oilers. I've followed the team since day one in the WHA.
Allan Mitchell chronicles the draft history of the team during the NHL era. The book is of interest mainly to hockey fans, and especially to Oiler's fans. The team had phenomenal success at the draft table in the early years, and uneven success since. The book provides insight into the strengths and weaknesses of various managers as reflected in draft strategy. On reflection, it gives insight into the passions and frustrations of the whole enterprise of sports and the curious relationship fans have with their teams.
I delighted in old memories stirred, as favorites of the past (and a few forgotten heroes) were mentioned. The frustrations of the last decade or so are also there. I had fun reading it all.
As a fan, I hope the current management can achieve the kind of stability necessary for building a consistently strong and contending team. Only time will tell.
Allan Mitchell chronicles the draft history of the team during the NHL era. The book is of interest mainly to hockey fans, and especially to Oiler's fans. The team had phenomenal success at the draft table in the early years, and uneven success since. The book provides insight into the strengths and weaknesses of various managers as reflected in draft strategy. On reflection, it gives insight into the passions and frustrations of the whole enterprise of sports and the curious relationship fans have with their teams.
I delighted in old memories stirred, as favorites of the past (and a few forgotten heroes) were mentioned. The frustrations of the last decade or so are also there. I had fun reading it all.
As a fan, I hope the current management can achieve the kind of stability necessary for building a consistently strong and contending team. Only time will tell.
February 12, 2023
As an fan of the Edmonton Oilers, I very much enjoyed reading through this book from front cover to the beginning of the appendix! Fans of other NHL teams may find the information and analysis of limited appeal.
The subtitle of this book is somewhat misleading. This is largely an outsider's view of Oilers drafts rather than an insider's.
(Note: I borrowed this from Hoopla at my local library, but the ISBN on that edition did not match any editions on Goodreads as of February 2023.)
The subtitle of this book is somewhat misleading. This is largely an outsider's view of Oilers drafts rather than an insider's.
(Note: I borrowed this from Hoopla at my local library, but the ISBN on that edition did not match any editions on Goodreads as of February 2023.)
October 24, 2023
A pick-by-pick look at every player selected by the Edmonton Oilers at the NHL Entry Draft (up to 2021). Mitchell gives a summary of the player's pre-draft profile, and how things ended up for them. He also summarizes the various Scouting Directors the Oilers have had, and looks at trends for each of them. Overall a really solid reference work, especially valuable for lower-drafted picks and players who didn't go far in the NHL.
January 11, 2024
Strangely, this is the first of its kind in terms of cataloguing the history of a team's drafting in the NHL for a stronger retrospective on exactly where the organization was investing its draft capital and how it (often failed to) carry it through to the big game. I only wish the hopeful optimism around the recent-ish drafts at the time of publication still held up to the same degree.
July 21, 2023
Best sports blogger out there recalls, in incredible detail, the Oilers' draft history. More straight forwardly about the team and missing the personal anecdotes and stories that weave so seamlessly in his blog that I'd love to see in a follow-up.
September 4, 2023
I'm a big Lowetide (authors online persona) guy and I love the Oilers so this was a pleasure. I find sports books really easy reading and this was a put up/put down as I felt the need. Also excellent reference for anything Oilers draft related.
February 12, 2023
Solid history of the Oilers in the draft. Excellent resource book for people who are serious about hockey.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews