Edmonton Oilers Drafted: Look Back at 2006

Welcome to another addition of Edmonton Oilers Drafted. This will be a look back at the highly touted prospects selected by the organization and a look into a when did they leave the Oilers and where are they now. Today, we will look at the struggles and ultimate failures of the 2006 Draft Class.

Leading up to the Edmonton Oilers had just finished a Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup Finals and ultimately lost in the Cup final to the Carolina Hurricanes. Yes, it still stings. The game seven loss and the eventual departure of Chris Pronger led to the beginning of a decade long exodus of Oilers teams from any chance at returning to the post-season, let alone the Cup final. While optimistic and hopeful that they could return to the playoffs in the following season the Oilers management staff traveled to Vancouver and entered the 2006 NHL Entry Draft with high expectations for their new potential players.

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This draft class was viewed as a stellar collection of prospects at the time and a bit of a log jam at the top with prospects Erik Johnson, Eric Staal, Jonathan Toews and Phil Kessel being projected top picks. In hind sight this was an amazing draft at the top end, having six players in the first round earn NHL All-Star Team recognition, and many other depth players currently playing within the league today.

First Round –

The Edmonton Oilers did not have a first round selection due to the acquisition of goaltender Dwayne Roloson prior to the Trade Deadline from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for the 1st rounder of 2006 and the third rounder in 2007 (Spencer Machacek). The Minnesota Wild at the draft would flip the Oilers’ first rounder to Los Angelas along with Patrick O’Sullivan to acquire Pavol Demitra.

Second Round – 45th Overall, Jeff Petry

Jan 11, 2015; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers defensemen Jeff Petry (2) skates during a warmup against the Florida Panthers at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff Petry, a defenceman for the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL, was a standout offensively skilled blueliner. His shifty-ness allowed him to skate and move the puck up effectively and joined in the rush frequently. In the USHL he posted 45 points in 55 games in the 2006-07 season and committed to joining Michigan State University before turning pro. After an iron man streak in Michigan State, Petry turned pro before his final year, signing a two year entry level deal with the Oilers in March 2010. Petry would join the Oilers AHL affliate, the Springfield Falcons, and played a few (8) games to finish the season.

The following season Petry would start the season with the Oklahoma City Oil Barons (AHL) for a few months before being making his NHL debut in late December 2010, tallying an assist and joining the club for a few months. The subsequent season Petry earned a NHL roster spot, pairing himself with Ladislav Smid and earned regular NHL status. As an Oilers defenceman Petry had little success and before being dealt to the Montreal Canadiens had seen 0 NHL playoff games. Then-GM Craig MacTavish resigned Petry in 2014-15 to a one year “show me” deal for $2.397 mil deal to keep Petry. However, MacTavish would ultimately move Petry at the deadline to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a second round pick and a conditional fifth round selection.

As a member of the Oilers fan base, there were rumblings that Petry was selfish, uncommitted and the worst defenceman on the Oilers blue-line. However, his errors were only magnified by the lack of talent and cohesiveness of a struggling Oilers squad. Petry has proven himself to be an above average defenceman and sometimes players just need a new environment. Montreal has alreadly placed a substantial value into the abilities of Jeff Petry and resigned him to a six year, $ 33 mil contract extension and will suit up for the Canadiens next season.

Third Round – 75th Overall, Theo Peckham

Sep 23, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Joe Vitale (46) is hit in the face by Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Theo Peckham (70) during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Theo Peckham was a physical and brusing defenceman for the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL. Going into the Draft the Oilers were looking to add some grit and toughness to the blue line, especially with Chris Pronger in the mix. Peckham would sign an entry level contract and report to the farm team for extra work and development. He was a player that played a slightly over the edge physical game, earning himself countless penalty minutes mainly through fighting majors, interference and slashing penalties.

While possessing some NHL-level size and decent skating ability, Peckham could have evolved as a steady third pairing defenceman that could drop the mitts when necessary. However, through incosistent play and a struggle to remain in top physical shape his NHL career has been hampered significantly. There was also the debacle of the coaching staff and management that saw Peckham remain on the NHL roster for the majority of the 2012-13 season but only appearing four NHL games. He was repeatedly sent on conditioning stints and was never able to remain in NHL physical form. Peckham would not be resigned by the Oilers but earned himself a contract with the Chicago Blackhawks but was unable to last more then a year in their development system.

4th Round –

Oilers traded their fourth rounder along with Mike York to the New York Islanders for Michael Peca

5th Round – 133 rd Overall, Bryan Pitton

Pitton was a goaltender that finished his junior career playing for the Brampton Battalion, going 64-46-6 in 126 OHL games. He had NHL-level size as a junior with a 6’3″ sized frame and hopes of cracking the professional leagues. He joined the Oilers farm team in 2008 but starting the 2008-09 campaign he was assigned to the ECHL Stockton Thunder earning a starter position for the entire season with the club. Pitton does hold the distinction that he is the only member of the Stockton Thunder franchise to have a direct call up to the NHL, GM Steve Tambellini issued the call up when he sent down Devan Dubnyk and needed Pitton to serve as Jeff Deslauriers back-up, but never started an NHL game.

5th Round – 140th Overall, Cody Wild

Wild was a defenceman playing in the Hockey East Conference in the NCAA Men’s Division when he was drafted. Despite the lure of a professional hockey contract Wild remained at Providence College for three years after his draft year before joining the AHL. After a decent pro career bouncing between the AHL and ECHL minor league teams for the Oilers he was traded to the Minnesota Wild in 2010 in exchange for forward Matt Marquardt. To date, Cody Wild has played on a total of five ECHL teams and four AHL teams thus far in his career and played last season with the Orlando Polar Bears of the ECHL.

6th Round – 170th Overall, Alexander Bumagin

The Russian Factor strikes again! A standout Russian winger, Bumagin enjoyed a successful career with the Russian hockey development squad earning a spot on the Under 17 squad, Under 18 squad and the 2006-2007 World Junior Championship teams. While able to contribute offesively in the juniors tournaments Bumagin was unable to replicate the offensive numbers in other leagues in Europe. The Oilers elected to not sign him to an entry level deal and as a free agent Bumagin signed in the KHL.

Don’t miss another one! Other years in the series are listed below.

Edmonton Oilers Drafted: Looking back at 2008.

Next: Edmonton Oilers Drafted: Looking Back at 2012

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