Just Who Is Kyle Platzer?

So the “Just Who is Series?”Is proving to be quite popular amongst the readers here at www.theoilersrig.com so we’d like to thank you stopping by and reading what we have to say.

A quick review before we move on. First in the series was 7^th overall pick and stalwart defenceman for the Sioux Grey Hounds Darnell Nurse. Next we introduced you to feisty forward Marco Roy. After that it was the two Russians selected by the Oilers at the Draft, Bogdan Yakimov and Anton Slepyshev. Yesterday we featured the Vancouver Giants leading scorer Jackson Houck. If you’ve missed one feel free to go back and have a read. Now let’s move on.

Sixth in the Just Who is Series is London Knights forward Kyle Platzer, the second of three, fourth round draft picks for the Edmonton Oilers. Kyle was selected 96^th overall. He stands only 5’11“ tall and weighs in at around 185lbs. A smaller forward compared to the last few selections, but there’s a reason for picking Platzer.

This pick for the Oilers, along with the next few may be more of the long shot variety. But I really think that Craig MacTavish and Stu MacGregor knew what they were doing when they traded away 37^th overall pick for the 88^th and 96^th from Los Angeles.

This kid, the 96^th pick, played a bottom six role on a stacked London Knights team, a team you’ll probably remember that went all the way to the Memorial Cup last season. He managed to score 5 goals and add 17 assists in 65 games all while in a reduced role with the team.

Here is what Hockeysfuture.com had to say about him;

“…does not let his size dictate his physical play. He is gritty and tough and is always the first one in the corners. He plays with a lot of heart and is often touted as a bit of an underrated player that is overshadowed by a deep talent pool within the London Knights squad.”

Here’s the thing, he seems to have the ability to score too. Platzer played prominent minutes and scored above a point per game in minor midget and junior A hockey. As with any Major Junior team there is turn over, and this year we can expect to see a larger role for the kid. And with a larger role hopefully we will see his point production rise. If he can continue to develop there will be a lot more talk about this kid.

On a side note we recorded another episode of t he Oilers Rig Podcast last night, and for the first time we were able to have listeners call in to the show. We had three callers and all three were great, I think the show went well and hope that you all have a listen when it is posted later on today. In the mean time feel free to listen to the previous episodes on the podcasts page of the site.

Thanks for reading and listening.