BLOG: Campbell feels comfortable in new Oilers environment
EDMONTON, Alta. – Goalkeeper Jack Campbell haven’t even been in Edmonton for a week, but the city already feels like home.
The 30-year-old enters his first season in the Oilers’ crease after signing a five-year, $25 million contract on day one of Free Agency and making the decision to trade the hockey home of Toronto. for another in Oil Country.
“It was awesome,” he said, speaking for the first time from the Oilers Hall of Fame on Friday. “It’s really huge to feel comfortable and to find my way in this building. It’s a beautiful arena, we are spoiled, and just getting to know everyone, getting to know the guys and stepping on the ice and working together, it’s just been a great two days and I can’t wait to keep building.”
There are already plenty of familiar faces for Campbell to consult on trading the Blue & White for the Orange & Blue, and thanks to those connections, the new Oilers goaltender already feels quite acclimated to his new city and to Rogers. Place nearly two weeks in advance. from training camp.
“It always helps to know your teammates and there are quite a few guys I’ve played with over the years,” he said.
Video: RAW | Jack Campbell
Campbell shared a locker room with Zach Hyman, Tyson Barrie and Cody Ceci in Toronto, where he took the opportunity to become a starting goaltender the past two seasons and posted a 31-9-6 record, .914 save percentage and 2 goals-against average, 64 in 71 games during the 2021-22 campaign. In 2011-12, his senior year as a junior, Campbell was a teammate of Nurse Darnell with the OHL Soo Greyhounds.
The Port Huron, MI product first sought advice from a player who made the transition to Edmonton the previous season to Hyman, who sold him on the excitement of being a member of the Oilers, before going on to turning to another for logistical help such as where his family is to live.
“I called Tyson Barrie,” he said. He’s hilarious and he’s a great guy, so I called him and got his thoughts on it,” Campbell said. “He brought me to him and it’s gonna be good to be neighbors .”
Finding her perfect daily route to the rink revealed another added benefit of leaving Toronto, and that is less time spent on your commute.
“There’s no traffic and it’s easy to get to the rink,” Campbell said. “Good food so far and just looking forward to continuing to familiarize myself.”
Campbell’s journey to arrive in Edmonton on a five-year contract as the club’s starting goaltender spanned ECHL, AHL and NHL time with the Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings and Toronto Maple Leafs. His first extended opportunity in the starting role came in 2020 with the Maple Leafs — nearly 10 years after he was drafted in the first round by the Dallas Stars in 2010.
“Getting this opportunity in Toronto to be this number one guy just made me feel like I was looking for my whole career,” he added.
“I just knew I could be a number one keeper. It’s not just to be a number one goaltender, my goal is to be the best I can be and help this team win the Stanley Cup and go from there.
Coming into the Oilers fold, Campbell believes difficulties make him a better goaltender who is well positioned to lead the Oilers between the posts.
Video: RAW | Leon Draisaitl
“We’re here and I just want to be the best I can be,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot and been through a lot of adversity, but I think playing in Toronto and the different markets I’ve played in have prepared me for this moment.
“The team is ready to do special things and I think my adversity will allow me to be ready to do that.”
The new Campbell Oilers teammates no longer need to be convinced of the character or talent of their new goaltender who will be an integral part of their quest for the Stanley Cup.
“I think we all have all the faith in the world in him. He’s shown that over the last two years,” said Leon Draisaitl. “He played for a good team and he will play for another good team in us. We are going to help him as much as possible and we know he will do everything he can to help us win hockey games.
