By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo: © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Left-wing Drake Caggiula returns to the Edmonton Oilers.
The Oilers announced Wednesday that captain Connor McDavid will be out for two to three weeks with an ankle injury.
McDavid left Monday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets after having been tripped up before falling skates first into the boards.
It’s never good to lose your best player, and it’s not an easy replacement. However, the Oilers must continue and have someone to fill McDavid’s shoes. Caggiula must provide a spark for the Oilers while McDavid recovers.
As frustrated as fans may be, some are happy to see Caggiula back in an Oilers uniform. Caggiula spoke with the media and expressed his excitement about being back in an Oilers uniform and the obstacles he had to overcome.
“It’s exciting. I worked hard over the last few years to get back to this point,” Caggiula said. “I had to overcome some tough injuries like neck surgery and thought my days in the NHL might be done after that and just put my head down and went to work, and you know I’m happy to be happy to be back here, obviously you know that’s not the main goal is being here and staying here and playing well but you know to get this opportunity is very exciting.”
Being a father also helped Caggiula to be more thankful and that there’s more to life than hockey.
Whether he plays well or not, it’s always a joy to see his kids. Also, he learned that he needed to refine his skills and work his way to try to be a complete player.
Caggiula’s first stint with the club was in 2016. The Oilers signed the undrafted forward to a two-year, entry-level contract on May 7, 2016.
He spent three seasons with the organization before being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Caggiula is a strong, aggressive, swift-forward skater who protects the puck and is a phenomenal finisher.
The Oilers are 4-5 this season and will visit the Nashville Predators on Thursday night.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com
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