EDMONTON, AB - The Edmonton Oilers were back on the ice at the Downtown Community Arena on Thanksgiving Day with only two full practices and a pre-game skate left before the start of the regular season on Wednesday.
Kailer Yamamoto re-joined his Oilers teammates for practice on Monday in what was a positive sign for both the player and the club in advance of Wednesday's season opener at Rogers Place against the Vancouver Canucks at 8:00pm MT. The Spokane, Wash. product missed out on the last two practices and the final pre-season game against Seattle on Friday with an undisclosed injury.
Head Coach Jay Woodcroft couldn't say if Yamamoto's participation in practice on Monday is enough to confirm his place in Wednesday's opening-night lineup, but the bench boss characterized it as a positive development nonetheless with the hopes he'll be able to suit up against Vancouver.
"I thought it was a positive sign that he was on the ice with us today," he said. "He took part in all the drills and appeared to feel good, so I'll revisit that. I haven't gone by the trainer's room to see where everybody's at or got the report yet, but I thought it was a positive sign."
BLOG: Monday's Thanksgiving practice at the DCA
The Oilers hit the ice for practice on Monday for a Thanksgiving skate at the Downtown Community Arena
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