PRE-GAME REPORT: Oilers Rookies at Flames Rookies

The Oilers Rookies face the Flames Rookies in their first tune-up of Rookie Camp at Scotiabank Saddledome on Sunday.
Watch the game live at 2:00 PM MDT on EdmontonOilers.com.

YOUR GAME-DAY ESSENTIALS

G AME DAY VIDEO
OILERS TODAY | At Flames Rookies Pre-Game
PRE-GAME RAW | Bouchard
PRE-GAME RAW | Jones
PRE-GAME RAW | Gambardella
PRE-GAME RAW | Coach Jay Woodcroft
MORE INFORMATION
You can watch tomorrow's game online via the Oilers website.
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News and notes from Oilers Rookie Camp.
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PRE-GAME REPORT

EDMONTON, AB --No, it isn't October yet.
But hockey is back.
The Oilers Rookies and Flames Rookies will face-off Sunday at the Scotiabank Saddledome in what will be the first game of Rookie Camp.
The meeting is no longer part of the Young Stars Classic, which the Oilers participated in perennially in Penticton, BC.
Nonetheless, the tune-up remains a pivotal first showcase for the prospects before Oilers Main Camp begins next week.
"We're playing Calgary twice and that's been a rival with Edmonton for a long time," started defender Caleb Jones, who donned the 'A' for the Oilers Rookies last year in the Okanagan Valley.
"It's going to be competitive. Everyone is trying to prove themselves."
Joe Gambardella held the captaincy in last season's circuit. The forward - who flanked Cooper Marody and Kailer Yamamoto on Saturday - is chomping at the bit to get back on the ice in a game setting.
"It's been a long off-season for everybody, so any game at all is a pretty big motivator and good competition for us to get the season going," he said. "This right here is a big landmark to start the season for us to see where we're at and move forward from there."

A FIRST FOR MANY
Sunday's clash marks the first time 2018 Oilers draft picks Evan Bouchard, Ryan McLeod and Olivier Rodrigue have the chance to suit up in Orange & Blue.
Bouchard, the tenth-overall selection in June's NHL Draft, has maintained a calm demeanour since his name was called to the podium in Dallas, TX. Even ahead of Sunday's tilt, the 6-foot-2, 194-pounder is remaining level-headed.
"It means a lot," Bouchard said of finally getting to wear an Oilers sweater in game action. "We just have to come in and play our game. Listen to the coaching staff and just play hockey."
Bakersfield Condors Head Coach Jay Woodcroft wants to remove any of the pressure some of the inexperienced prospects may be feeling.
"The most important thing is their effort and will," the bench boss said. "Not to be pressured up, not to overthink things or be worried about concepts or systems. We've put our focus on the will to do things correctly and the ability to adjust if a mistake is made.
"For some of the younger players, this is their first camp and we want to make sure it's an environment that's encouraging. Let them know that mistakes will be made and that it's not the end of the world. But we're going to work our hardest to correct them."

BENSON SET TO BREAK OUT
One could only feel for forward Tyler Benson, who attended two consecutive Oilers Rookie Camps without being able to participate on the ice due to injuries. The hometown boy will finally get his first taste of Oilers action.
"The good thing about him as a person and player is that he's very cerebral. So, even though he wasn't participating in camps past, he still was exposed to the concepts and how we want to play the game," said Woodcroft.
"He's got to feel really good about his health situation, he's got to feel good about the work he put in this summer and I know he scored really well on his tests."
Benson skated with Ryan McLeod and Tyler Vesel in Saturday's practice.
"I see a player that has worked on his speed and quickness," Woodcroft continued. "I see a guy that can make some plays in the offensive zone and has the vision to find the open man."
AN INEXACT SCIENCE
Woodcroft said there would movement among his squad's line combinations in an effort to find chemistry and grant everybody an opportunity to play.
"It's an inexact science, I can tell you that," the Condors coach said. "For us, we try to find players that are complementing each other. Certainly, nothing is set in stone."
Below are what the line combinations appeared to be but are subject to change:
Gambardella - Marody - Yamamoto
Benson - McLeod - Vesel
Vesey - Esposito - Maksimov/Hebig
Polei - Gust/Larkin - Van Stralen
Defence :
Jones - Bouchard
Crevier-Morin/Samorukov - Bear
Lagesson - Kuvelich
Wilson - Day
Goal:
The starting goaltender will be made apparent at warmups.