EDMONTON, AB - In a New York minute, Ryan Spooner became an Edmonton Oiler.
The forward's focus immediately swapped to the present and the role he can play for his new team and teammates this weekend in upcoming back-to-back games that begin with the first Battle of Alberta of the season in Calgary on Saturday.
A home debut against the reigning Western Conference champion Vegas Golden Knights follows the day after at Rogers Place
Talk about an introduction.
"I'll be flying in tomorrow [to Calgary] and meeting the team there for back-to-back games," Spooner said. "I'll try to get some rest tonight, pack up, and go from there."
A swap from blue and red to blue and orange hopes to be a welcomed change for the former Ranger, who recorded a goal and assist through 16 games this NHL season.
"At the end of the day, I just wasn't really playing up to my standard," Spooner admitted. "There are no excuses for that, and the fresh start here will do me good. There's a lot of skill there and I think I'll be able to fill in. I'm excited to join them."
Spooner, able to play at centre or wing, brings a versatile game and plenty of speed that can be slotted in seamlessly in the Oilers forward corps. The talent and notoriety surrounding a young Oilers team is an exciting prospect for the former 2010 second-round pick.
"There's a lot of skill there and their top-six forwards are some of the best players in the world. It's going to be fun to be a part of that," Spooner said.
"They started off well there and things are looking good. They have a lot of talent and skill and I'm excited to go in there, help the team, and just bring my skill and my speed. I just want to help out and its exciting times for sure."
BLOG: Spooner embracing Oilers excitement
"There's a lot of skill there and their top-six forwards are some of the best players in the world. It's going to be fun to be a part of that," newly-acquired Oiler Ryan Spooner said.
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