The Oilers got a first look at their new locker room yesterday, and the reviews "were pretty much unanimous" -- that it is right "on par with the rest of Rogers Place -- state of the art, best in the league," according to Robert Tychkowski of the EDMONTON JOURNAL. The layout and design is "largely the work of former equipment manager Barrie Stafford," who toured NHL, NFL and MLB locker rooms throughout North America in "search of the perfect facility." The video room is like a "luxury theatre that seats about 30." There also is a "35-metre sprint track on the second floor of the gym, the hot and cold tubs are massive and the whole place is wired to the hilt, with players and coaches able to access video from virtually anywhere." Oilers Entertainment Group Vice Chair & CEO Bob Nicholson said, "I've never seen any dressing room close to this. ... The attention to detail is just really, really special." Nicholson added, "[Owner] Daryl Katz has made sure everything is first class. We made improvements last year and now I think it's time to make that next step" (EDMONTON JOURNAL, 9/15). In Edmonton, Terry Jones notes Oilers players yesterday were "blown away by what they witnessed." RW Jordan Eberle said, "There's definitely a wow factor. Not only the room, but the rink." G Cam Talbot: "There's everything you need to be successful here" (EDMONTON SUN, 9/15). The GLOBE & MAIL’s Marty Klinkenberg noted the locker room is around 28,000 square feet -- “more than three times the size of their previous one at Rexall Place.” For fans, the arena itself is “full of creature comforts such as bars and restaurants and clubs.” The “fanciest spot is the Chairman’s Club, which sits on the ice level directly across from the Oilers’ dressing room" (GLOBE & MAIL, 9/10).
