Oilers defenceman Travis Dermott has long personal history with Connor McDavid

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Liam McCormick
September 13, 2024 (4:15 PM)

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The Edmonton Oilers have officially brought Travis Dermott to training camp on a tryout contract, and many believe that he has a serious chance to be a regular player.

One factor that may contribute to Dermott getting an opportunity in Edmonton is his long history with Connor McDavid and Coach Knoblauch. Both players played under Knoblauch for the Erie Otters at the same time, but Dermott and McDavid have a deeper relationship than that. They go all the way back to childhood.

Connor McDavid and Travis Dermott both come from Newmarket, Ontario, and despite McDavid being one year younger, they crossed paths as friends and in the sports world as kids. The two played together on a lacrosse team and crossed paths in minor hockey as well, according to a draft interview from Travis Dermott in 2015.

With this level of personal familiarity with the team captain and some time spent under the head coach in Junior, it's a good bet that Dermott will make the team after his tryout and play some NHL games.

Dermott is only 27 years old and was drafted in the second round by the Toronto Maple Leafs. He's gone on to play 329 career NHL games with the Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and Arizona Coyotes. He's a smooth-skating defender who can play a two way game, but is prone to errant passes or some defensive coverage mistakes. However, there's undoubtedly talent there, and the Oilers clearly believe in him with the tryout contract.

Dermott be competing with a number of defenceman for the Oilers 5th and 6th spot. Heading into training camp, Ty Emberson, Troy Stecher, Josh Brown, and now Dermott will be in contention for the final spots. Being on a tryout contract he may be the least likely to actually make the team, so he'll have to prove himself with a good preseason.

Source for Dermott Stats: PuckPedia - Travis Dermott