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PENTICTON, B.C. -- .Selected in the fourth round of the 2005 Entry Draft, Vande Velde has arrived in Penticton to play with the Oilers prospects in the Vancouver Young Stars Tournament after completing his four-year college career with the North Dakota Fighting Sioux.Though later to the party than most other prospects here, Vande Velde is proving he belongs as a pro.-I definitely think I' m ready football games online to take the next step after a full college career,- Vande Velde said. -I think UND got me prepared really well, and obviously that's a great program and I'm excited to get in here and maybe crack the big team.- The Oilers beat the Flames, 5-3, in the lone game Tuesday at the South Okanagan Events Centre. The 4,000 fans in attendance were split in support of the two rival clubs. Six of the eight g football games online oals in the game were scored on the power play. There were three fights in the game, including one between former Vancouver Giants teammates Nolan Toigo of the Oilers and Lance Bouma of the Flames. Oilers center Chris Vande Velde Edmonton Director of Player Development Mike Sillinger played more than 1,000 NHL games and watched Vande Velde last season with the Fighting Sioux and followed football games online him when Vande Velde moved to AHL Springfield when the NCAA season ended.-He's definitely ready for the American Hockey League,- Sillinger said. -He played a couple of games at the end of last year with the farm system, he finished four years (of college). He's a big guy, strong guy, protects the puck really well, plays his position really well. He's not overly flashy, but he's very noticeable in football games online doing the little things well. Decent on the faceoffs and, with his size (6-foot-2, 190 pounds), he's just so big and strong in front of the net.-Vande Velde's description doesn't seem to overlap very much with the skill set of Edmonton's -Big Three- prospects -- Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle -- which may be a good thing for Vande Velde as he tries to crack the Edmonton roster this season.-You never k football games online now; if I start in the (AHL), obviously I'm going to be working my butt off to be getting back up (to Edmonton),- Vande Velde said. -They might need a third-line forward or a guy on draws. Anything could open up.-It's an exciting time to be an Oiler, and I'm just excited to be here.-The native of Moorhead, Minn. led the Fighting Sioux in scoring with 41 points in 42 games last season, and was an a football games online lternate captain for the NCAA power.-I'm very comfortable with (a leadership role); I-m wearing an 'A' here as well,- he said. -I'm one of the older guys here, so I'm prepared to take that role if it comes to me.- With Fighting Sioux alumni like Jonathan Toews, Zach Parise, T.J. Oshie, Drew Stafford and Travis Zajac all making waves in the NHL, the route to the NHL from Grand Forks is well documen football games online ted.Vande Velde's description doesn't seem to overlap very much with the skill set of Edmonton's -Big Three- prospects -- Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle -- which may be a good thing for Vande Velde as he tries to crack the Edmonton roster this season.-You never know; if I start in the (AHL), obviously I'm going to be working my butt off to be getting back up (to Edmonton),- Vande Velde said. -They mig football games online ht need a third-line forward or a guy on draws. Anything could open up.-It's an exciting time to be an Oiler, and I'm just excited to be here.- PROSPECTS College pays off for Vande Velde believes his four years at the University of North Dakota gives him a good chance of making the Oilers this season. Brodie's rapid climb could land him in Calgary Morin hopes to show Hawks he's NHL ready football games online NHL prospects flock to Penticton Author: Brian Compton | NHL.com Staff Writer football games online
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