09-16-2019, 03:27 AM
PENTICTON, B.C. - Darnell Nurse and Mitchell Moroz want to give the Edmonton Oilers a headache — in a good way.The pair are thought to be on the outside looking in for spots on the clubs NHL roster heading into training camp, but that isnt stopping either from dreaming big.I just have to go out there every day and play hard. Thats all you can do, said Nurse, a slick defenceman with offensive flair. Ill get every opportunity that I deserve, so Ive just got to go out and earn it.The Oilers appear to have as many eight men pencilled in ahead of Nurse on the blue-line depth chart with camp set to open Thursday, while its also difficult to see where Moroz might fit on the wing.Still, the pair remain undeterred as they take part in a four-team rookie tournament hosted by the Vancouver Canucks that also includes prospects from the Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets.Expectations might not be for me to make the squad, but if I can surprise some people and make it a hard choice, thats what I want to do, said Moroz, an Edmonton native. Just push. This is your dream to put on this jersey ... my childhood team. Its an honour to put that logo on every night.Todd Nelson coaches the Oklahoma City Barons, the Oilers AHL affiliate, and is in charge of Edmontons rookie team in Penticton. He said part of the rebuild process for an organization that hasnt made the NHL playoffs since 2006 is a push for jobs from its prospects.If those young guys can make (Oilers general manager) Craig MacTavish scratch his head about what he wants to do, then thats perfect, said Nelson. Thats what we want. We want competition. These young guys are knocking on the door. They just have to keep on going and put pressure on from below and hopefully those guys up top feel it and they excel at their game and they improve and get better.The Oilers have drafted a number of forwards with high picks in recent years, including Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Nail Yakupov and Leon Draisaitl, but Nurses skillset from the back end is something most successful NHL teams rely on to push the play.But his coach said that ability also hurts the seventh overall pick in 2013 at times.He always wants to go (on the offensive). You have to pull the reins on him a bit, said Nelson. Thats not a bad thing. Usually you have to give a guy a kick in the butt to get going. Thats something that hes going to have to manage as he matures, and he will.Hes still a young kid and he wants to make an impact. Through experience hes going to settle down and find his game where its more controlled.Nurse, who still needs to fill out some of his six-foot-four 205-pound frame, agreed that keeping things simple will help him in the long run.You have to consistently remind yourself youre here for a reason, said the 19-year-old Hamilton, Ont. native, who had 13 goals and 37 assists in 64 games for the OHLs Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in 2013-14. It makes your life a lot easier when youre not trying to do everyone elses job.The six-foot-two 214-pound Moroz, meanwhile, is coming off a Memorial Cup-winning season with the WHLs Edmonton Oil Kings where he put up 35 goals and 28 assists in 63 games, mostly by going hard to the net and playing with an edge.You want to represent well, said the 20-year-old, who was the 32nd pick in 2012. Coming off the summer youve got to find that line and flirt with it a little and not cross it.Youve just got to get back to your game.While both Nurse and Moroz are hopeful of making the Oilers, it would appear the 18-year-old Draisaitl might have the best shot, based purely on need. Edmonton lacks depth at centre, and the third overall pick at Junes draft provides something club desperately needs down the middle — size.I know people are watching and theyre always looking at me (and) what Im doing, said the six-foot-one 210-pound native of Cologne, Germany. I think Im doing a pretty good job of blocking it out. I know what Im good at. I know what I have to work on. Thats what Im trying to do.Draisaitl had 38 goals and 67 assists in 64 games for the WHLs Prince Albert Raiders last season and, like Nurse, could remain with the Oilers for a nine-game audition at the start of his season before Edmonton would have to make a decision on whether to keep him or send him back to junior.While there has been lots of chatter about whether or not Draisaitl should break camp with the Oilers, like Nurse and Moroz, all hes focused on are the details that could help fulfil his dream as early as October.Its a different level. Thats why its the best league in the world, because every player is a really good hockey player, he said. I think once I get used to everything and I get back into game mode I have a pretty good chance. Mark Pysyk Jersey . 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Colton Sceviour Panthers Jersey . -- LeGarrette Blount made one last big splash into a soggy end zone.European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley has expressed his delight at the success of the inaugural Hero Challenge ahead of the British Masters supported by Sky Sports. A bumper crowd turned up at The Grove after dark to witness the floodlit extravaganza on a specially-constructed par-three on the 18th, in which eight leading professionals and four celebrities took part in a knock-out contest. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. In-form Frenchman Alex Levy was crowned the champion while Shane Warne took the spoils in the celebrity event in an entertaining evening broadcast live on Sky Sports, but Pelley insisted the real winner on the night was golf. Its terrific, its under lights, who would have thought it?, Pelley told Reuters. Its pretty exciting and its definitely a chance to be a little more innovative, try things a little bit different. Alex Levy earned £10,000 for wining the Hero Challenge ahead of the British Masters Whats really rewarding to see is the incredible fan engagement with the players, every player with a smile on his face and having a great time. Its much bigger than we would ever have anticipated and I think the players are equally surprised.It shows the players in a different light, which leads to people experiencing the game differently. This will not replace the traditional game and thats not the purpose. Alex Levy hits the shot of the night landing just seven feet from the hole! This is an add-on to showcase our wonderful game, the skills of our players and perhaps to get some new fans who will now not only follow these players but also perhaps come to a regular event and really enjoy it.dddddddddddd The winner tonight has been golf.Levy, who beat Andy Sullivan, tournament host Luke Donald and Alex Noren to collect the £10,000 first prize, added: That was a lot of fun. I said to Alex Noren that I felt more pressure there than in the play-off in Germany, which is ridiculous. Alex Levy wins the Hero Challenge final against Alex Noren. The floodlit event was a new one-hole knockout contest It was amazing to see the crowds and everyone enjoying it. Golf needs something like this and it is a great idea. I would love to do more of this.Donald said: We had a great turnout and the nerves were jiggling a little bit. It was different to what we are used to. It was a lot of fun though and unique. Watch the British Masters throughout the week live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf. Live first round coverage begins on Thursday from 9am.You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the British Masters on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: British Masters: Ways to watch 2015 recap: Fitzpatricks victory WATCH: Masterclass highlights Golf live on Sky Sports ' ' '