Rookie Goalie for Oilers Shoots Down Offseason Frustration Rumor

In August, Bruce Curlock, one of the top Oilers prospect evaluators, told Oilers Now that he was concerned Samuel Jonsson might return to the SHL if Edmonton squeezed him out. Suggesting that the 22-year-old would prefer playing in a strong professional league against veteran NHLers and other young players looking to make the jump to North America, the Oilers had so many netminders in their system that it was the logical option.

However, Curlock seemed to suggest that might not sit well with the rookie and that a frayed relationship was possible.

A couple of days later, Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer said, “Regarding reports involving Edmonton Oilers goaltending prospect Samuel Jonsson, all indicators are that he will be attending EDM’s Rookie Camp in September. Further to that, he is expected to play in North America this season.”

Jonsson is in attendance this week, and he addressed the rumors.

Edmonton Oilers prospect Samuel Jonsson says the speculation that he was going back to Sweden was never true. “I have no clue either. Not a single word of that was true… I was sitting at home, and then I got a text from the management here asking what’s going on, and I was like, yeah, I’m sitting here at home just waiting to come over and get the season started.”

He added, “I’m just really excited to get the season going here now.” When asked about how many goalies are in the system and if that changes his approach, he noted that it’s good that he has to be on his toes and it’s certainly good for the Oilers as an organization. “For me, I think it’s good. It gets the best out of me every day.”

He also added how much he enjoys playing in North America:

“It comes much faster to you. You have to be on your toes a bit more. But that’s what I like about it too. You face a lot more shots over here.” Jonsson will suit up Monday night as the Oilers rookies take on the Flames rookies. He’s the third-string goalie on the roster sheet.

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