PENTICTON, BC - Defenceman Max Wanner knows there's a bit of luck involved when it comes to getting your foot in the door of a National Hockey League organization, but it only gets you so far.
Reaching the pro levels of the Edmonton Oilers, either this season or in seasons to come, is going to take a lot more than just good luck.
"I was pretty fortunate," he said. "I had some lucky bounces for sure, but at the end of the day, it comes down to your work ethic and how hard you work."
The Estevan, SK product feels lucky just to have the opportunity to share the ice and off-ice activities with fellow Oilers prospects in Penticton this weekend for Rookie Camp and the Young Stars Classic tournament, where they'll go toe-to-toe with the top rookies of the Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks in hopes of meshing with the organization and earning an invite to Oilers Main Camp next week.
"Obviously it's a very exciting opportunity," Wanner said. "There are a lot of nerves going on, but due to COVID the last few years we weren't able to do this. It's just really exciting to come out here and finally play the other teams' prospects and see how you stack up against everyone."
But luck is far from the reason why Wanner's stock has been steadily rising.
ROOKIE CAMP: Wanner maximizing opportunity at every level
The 2021 seventh-round selection has steadily risen through the ranks to develop into a valuable blueline prospect for the Edmonton Oilers
![20221915_Wanner](https://media.d3.nhle.com/image/private/t_ratio16_9-size20/f_auto/prd/tbmhne9mz5s2ivdvrfyx.jpg)
OILERS TODAY | Young Stars Primer 09.15.22