Edmonton Oilers F Patrick Russell Will Provide Extra Depth After Successful Career at St.Cloud State
Welcome to Oil Country. The newest Edmonton Oilers F Patrick Russell makes for a second college free agent signing within a week, and adds more depth to their forward group.
Russell, 23, signed a two-year entry-level contract after spending the last two years with NCAA’s St.Cloud State.
Patrick is a Danish-born right-handed right-winger known as a prototypical power forward. He spent his early hockey days in Denmark, and eventually moved on to Sweden before making the jump to North America in 2013-14 to play for USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks.
After posting 49 points in 55 games with Waterloo, Patrick Russell joined St.Cloud State tallying 25 points in 40 games as a college rookie. He scored at a point-per-game pace in 2015-16 racking up 41 points in 41 games.
The #Oilers have agreed to terms with St. Cloud State forward Patrick Russell on a two-year, entry-level contract. pic.twitter.com/u1TeIbWDPT
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) May 9, 2016
via SC Times,
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While his life has had many international turns, Russell said his hockey game feels most at home in North America. He played in Waterloo for coach P.K. O’Handley, a longtime junior hockey and professional coach.
“I feel like the play and the systems fit me better over here: being in front of the net, getting shots from the corner and there’s never a bad shot,” said Russell, who is 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds. “P.K. would always say that there’s never a bad shot, shoot it. I really enjoyed that.
“I’d never been on a power play in front of the net until I got to Waterloo. I really feel comfortable there and I like being in there.”
Battling in front of the net and for pucks in the corners and along the boards is the strength of Russell’s game. That, in part, is due to his dedication in the weight room.
“Webster’s Dictionary: Look up power forward, that’s Patrick Russell, with the ability to score goals and play on the power play,” St. Cloud State coach Bob Motzko said. “He likes scoring in the dirty ice.
Edmonton Oilers F Patrick Russell also represented Team Denmark internationally before making the jump across the pond. He spent time with their U18 program in 2009-10 and 2010-11, and U20 squad in 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13.
At 6’1 205lbs, Russell has the size to be a gritty bottom six NHL forward – whether or not he learns how to effectively use that size at the NHL level, time will tell.
Next: Edmonton Oilers End of Year Review, Grades
Don’t be surprised if these college FA’s (Drake Caggiula/Patrick Russell) spend the majority of year one in Bakersfield. Both would likely be on the short-list for call-ups in 2016-17.
There’s always a chance one of these guys impresses in September, but it may take a solid offseason of training for that to happen.
Either way, this is a great signing for the Oilers who continue to add depth to their prospect pool.