The Vancouver Canucks may not have been busy at the National Hockey League’s trade deadline this week, but one roster change caught the attention of West Shore hockey fans.
Adam Cracknell, the 30-year-old journeyman centre and former Colwood resident who thrilled local fans by scoring the winner for the Canucks in the Kraft Hockeyville game last fall at The Q Centre, was claimed off waivers by Edmonton on Monday.
The night Cracknell Tweeted: “Very excited to be joining the @EdmontonOilers and adding a new chapter to my career.” He also gave thanks to the Canucks for giving him the opportunity to play this season and wished them good luck.
Cracknell tallied five goals and five assists in 44 games with Vancouver, 20 more than he played in any previous stint in the NHL.
The former Saanich Braves junior B player, who saw his first NHL action at 25 with the St. Louis Blues, had signed a one-year deal with the Canucks but was put on waivers just before Monday’s deadline.
He was primarily playing on the club’s fourth line with the likes of Derek Dorsett and Emerson Etem.
In the Oilers, Cracknell joins a team loaded with young talent including rookie sensation Connor McDavid, but one that continues to struggle to win hockey games.
The Oilers are second-last overall in the league.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com