WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Oil Kings Brent Raedeke Signs His First Pro Contract With Detroit

Published on September 30, 2008 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Edmonton, AB - Detroit Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland announced today that the club has signed 18 year old Edmonton Oil Kings centreman Brent Raedeke. The Regina native becomes the second Oil King in modern franchise history to sign a pro contract following in the footsteps of Robin Figren who inked a deal earlier this summer with the New York Islanders.

Raedeke recently attended the Red Wings' prospect camp in Traverse City, Michigan and played a couple of inter-squad games at Detroit's main training camp. He impressed enough to sign a 3 year entry-level deal effectively taking him off the open market.

"It feels really good to get it out of the way." said Raedeke "Now I can kind of focus on just playing hockey. I had mixed emotions not getting drafted but I couldn't have asked for a better situation going to Detroit. They liked the way I played so it couldn't have worked out any better."

"We're really happy for Brent." said Oil Kings General Manager Bob Green "I know he was a little disappointed that his name wasn't called this summer at the Entry Draft in Ottawa but it's turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Having a solid camp with Detroit and then signing his first pro contract is the product of a lot of hard work, especially this off-season. You can see the focus in his game already."

As the behind-the-scenes story goes, a number of teams expressed interest in Brent in the weeks leading up to the draft and apparently he was very close to being the final pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The rest is history.

Raedeke has been back with the team for 4 games now and is full of confidence.

"I think it's going to help. Playing at that level and playing at that tournament (in Traverse City), being on the ice with a bunch of the NHL guys really boosts your confidence and really shows you what you need to do to get to the next level. For this year, I just want to take that confidence and use it to the best of my ability and do the best that I can."

Raedeke already has 2 goals and an assist in 4 games with the Oil Kings since returning from the Red Wings training camp. He'll try to keep it going with a pair of games this week in Saskatoon Wednesday night and then back at home Friday night against the Kamloops Blazers. Don't forget, it's Mullet Night at Rexall Place. The first 2500 fans attending the game will receive a free mullet.

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Western Hockey League Stories from September 30, 2008


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