Edmonton Oilers Sign #1 Draft Choice Taylor Hall

Published on July 5, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Oklahoma City Barons News Release


Oklahoma City - The Edmonton Oilers, parent club of the Oklahoma City Barons, signed forward Taylor Hall to a three-year entry level contract at a press conference today.

Hall, the #1 overall selection at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, is a 6-1, 190-pounder from Calgary, Alberta. Over his junior career, he has achieved level of personal and team success few will experience. Last season, he tied for the Ontario Hockey League scoring title with 106 points (40-66-106) while leading his team to their second straight OHL title.

For each of the last two seasons, he has also led his Windsor Spitfires team to back-to-back Memorial Cup championships while earning Most Valuable Player honors at each tournament. The Memorial Cup crowns an overall champion in major junior hockey. It pits the league champions from the OHL, Western Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, plus a host city in a four-team tournament.

During Hall's first season with Windsor, he was third on his team with 84 points (45-39-84) and earned OHL Rookie of the Year honors.

Hall's future in Oklahoma City is unknown at this point. As a 19 year old with one season of junior eligibility remaining, two options exist for him at the start of this season. He will either make the Oilers roster out of training camp or be sent back to his junior team to complete his final season of junior eligibility. The earliest he could play in Oklahoma City is at the end of the 2010-11 season when his junior eligibility is complete.

A precedent exists for him to play in Oklahoma City this season. Last season, the Oilers' top draft choice, Jordan Eberle, was in the same position heading into training camp. He would either make the Oilers roster or head back to his junior team for his final season of eligibility. He nearly made the Oilers roster, but was sent back. He went on to lead his team and the league in scoring and earn CHL Player of the Year honors. Following the expiration of his eligibility in the junior ranks, he was assigned to the Oilers AHL affiliate where he score 14 points in 11 games.

A precedent also exists for him never to play in Oklahoma City. Last season's #1 overall selection, John Tavares, was drafted by the New York Islanders. He made their team out of camp and played the entire season in the NHL.

Hall, Eberle and the Oilers other young talent will participate in the Oilers development camp beginning tomorrow in Edmonton. Click this link for a complete overview of what will take place at the Development Camp: http://bit.ly/aGo0IV

Season tickets are available now for the 2010-11 season. For more information about ticket plans, call 232-GOAL (4625).

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