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Edmonton Oilers: Letestu’s Journey From Fan to Player

By Eric Friesen

Sep 26, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Mark Letestu (55) during the face off against the Calgary Flames during a preseason hockey game at Scotiabank Saddledome. Edmonton Oilers won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Mark Letestu (55) during the face off against the Calgary Flames during a preseason hockey game at Scotiabank Saddledome. Edmonton Oilers won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Edmonton Oilers forward Mark Letestu is relishing the opportunity to play for his hometown team.

Despite playing behind Connor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and David Desharnais down the middle, Letestu has still been an important player in helping turn around the Oilers fortunes this season. He has become an asset on special teams, takes most of the important defensive zone face-offs and has proven to be a secret weapon for the Oilers in the shootout.

The 32-year-old centre tied his career-high in goals (14) in Edmonton’s 2-0 win over Vancouver  Saturday. Letestu admitted he is still shocked to the attention he has been getting with Edmonton. Over his eight-year career, he has played with multiple teams; however, he hasn’t received as much attention as he does with the Oilers.

Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers /

Edmonton Oilers

“It’s still kind of a strange experience,” Letestu told Oilers TV. “Even being interviewed on Hockey Night in Canada – that was my show growing up. I never thought I would be a part of it the way I am, so I’m still enjoying the ride.”

Letestu grew up in Elk Point, Alberta, about 200 kilometres northeast of Edmonton. He said his friends and family support him and the team strongly.

“Where I grew up, everybody is an Oilers fan,” Letestu said. “And the texts I get after games, just from buddies, how invested they are in the season, and what they are looking forward to gives me a lot of excitement.”

Though Letestu’s favourite NHL team growing up was the Montreal Canadiens, the Oilers have always had a special place in his heart. In fact, Letestu was one of the 16,839 fans that packed Rexall Place for each home game during the Oilers 2006 Stanley Cup run.

“I was [at Rexall Place] in the stands for the last Stanley Cup run,” Letestu said on Oilers TV. “So, I want to be a part of that. I want to have the fans going like that again, and have the building rocking like it was.”

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