KEEPER KONOVALOV
The net is yours, Ilya Konovalov.
At long last, Edmonton's third-round selection from the 2019 National Hockey League Draft will take his position in the blue paint on North American soil when the Oilers Rookies take to the ice at the Saddledome. Oil Country may be unfamiliar territory but the goalkeeper is well-aware of the Battle of Alberta's magnitude.
"It's a big thing in Edmonton and a big rivalry," Konovalov, speaking through Russian translator Safin, said. "In Yaroslav, there are no big rival games. Every game you have to prepare like it's a war because there are good opponents everywhere."
The 23-year-old has been the last line of defence for the Yaroslav Lokomotiv of the KHL over the past four years. In that time, he's amassed a 53-41-9 record, a .922 save percentage and a 2.14 goals-against average to go along with 14 shutouts as an undersized guardian at 5-foot-11.
"I'm not the biggest guy but there are goalies like (Carey) Price, (Juuse) Saros and (Anton) Khudobin who are not big guys but they are quick and make good saves. I'm that type of goalie," he said.
The goaltender persevered through a minor injury at Rookie Camp to get the nod in goal and considers his hockey IQ, positioning and quickness as the strengths of his game. Woodcroft has yet to see Konovalov suit up but did comment on the technical aspects of shorter netminders.
"There are goaltenders that are a little bit smaller and they play big," the coach said. "Our message to Ilya tonight is that it's not about where his height was measured during physicals. It's about playing to his strengths, relaxing in there, taking a deep breath and getting used to his first game action."
MAKE A MARK
Prospects hoping to attend the big ball, Oilers Main Camp, still have a chance to show their moves.
A standalone performance in the final tune-up of Rookie Camp can certainly raise a skater's stock in the eyes of the Oilers management but that doesn't guarantee a golden ticket to the main event.
Before extending the invites, Woodcroft is taking into account the player's complete body of work this week, from the medicals and fitness testing to the efforts administered on the ice.
"It's a great opportunity for players to make a statement about where they're at with their game. If they're able to continue to get better, as a young man, that's all you can ask for. That's what's on the table tonight, to make another impression."
-- Paul Gazzola, EdmontonOilers.com
