Howard, Savoie start Oilers rookie camp with NHL aspirations

The Edmonton Oilers rookie roster will host the Calgary Flames rookies at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Friday.

You know the NHL season is just around the corner when rookies hit the ice for training.

And two possible NHL players were at Rogers Place on Thursday for the start of rookie camp.

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Forwards Isaac Howard and Matt Savoie are expected to suit up alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl when the Edmonton Oilers host the Calgary Flames on Oct. 8.

“I’m just happy to get going. It just feels good to be here around the rink,” Howard told reporters.

“Feeling really good, excited for training camp to get going,” Savoie said. “I was local all summer, so just training and skating here. My body feels really good and I feel really motivated here.”

Howard, the top college hockey player in the United States last season, was acquired from Tampa Bay for Sam O’Reilly.

Analysts expect Howard, 21, to contribute from day one and make the Oilers younger and faster.

He’s excited to contend for the Stanley Cup with the best players in the league.

“I think just the winning culture they have right now. They’ve been to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals. We’re on the hunt to win the Stanley Cup,” the Wisconsin native said. “Coming in the league, being young, not everyone can say that. Being surrounded with the best players in the world.”

There’s been buzz around Savoie, too. Also 21 years old, the Oilers traded for him last summer and he has a good chance to make the team with Howard.

“I’m really motivated this year to be a full-time player and to be a contributor night in, night out,” Savoie said.

“I think I had a really big summer and I’m looking to have a really big training camp here.”

The Oilers rookies will play against the Flames rookie team on Friday.