Justin Schultz was expecting it. He knew it was coming: questions and quite a few of them. All surrounding his decision not to sign and play for Anaheim, instead deciding his hockey destination would be Edmonton.
“It was just a case of me having the option of being a free agent,” Schultz explained. “It’s not something that happens often in your career.”
A career in which Schultz seemed destined to be a Duck. Anaheim chose the defenceman 43rd overall in the 2008NHL Draft. “I came to a couple of their development camps. It was a couple times for a week” Schultz said.”Scott Neidermayer came to see me at school and I went out for dinner with him and we talked hockey. Everything went fine (with Anaheim) and it was a tough decision to make.”
A decision that didn’t garner the headlines of Lebron’s decision to go to Miami from Cleveland but it was still a big deal this off-season. Schultz signed on June 30, and a day later the newest member of the Edmonton Oilers was introduced, somewhat appropriately, on Canada Day.
“I always wanted to play in a Canadian city,” Schultz said. “Playing in Edmonton has lived up to everything I expected. Being around the city, the fans are so passionate and especially all those at the rink.”
While it sounds like the former Wisconsin Badger had his heart set on Canada and eventually Edmonton, the Oilers worked hard to make sure they left nothing to chance. That’s why a group of personnel flew out to Toronto to make a pitch for Schultz. They pulled out all the stops, including an in-person visit from Taylor Hall.
A small army of Oiler personnel did their best and it paid off by picking up the most coveted unrestricted free agent on the market.
“I remember there were about 15 of us,” Oiler coach Ralph Krueger said. “And even with that many people in the same room, I had some one-on-one time with Justin. Talking to him felt really natural and comfortable. If you love the game, Edmonton is a great city. I really felt confident he was coming to us.”
The Oilers rookie bench boss ended up being right. Almost every NHL team went after the kid from Kelowna but he chose the northern-most city in the NHL. Schultz turned down sand and sunshine along with a recent Cup champion in 2007.
There’s also talent like Teemu Selanne, Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. Schultz said no to them. Despite the fact the Ducks will be a playoff favourite and the Oilers may not make the playoffs, the 22-year-old hasn’t stayed up at night re-thinking his choice.
“I don’t regret the decision,” Schultz said. “But I have been thinking about this game. I’m glad it wasn’t earlier in the year. I’m not sure what kind of reception I’m going to get tomorrow night. We’ll just see what happens.”
Schultz has already been booed once this season. When he was with Oklahoma City and played in Abbotsford. The fans of the Heat (Calgary’s AHL affiliate) weren’t happy that he didn’t choose the Flames.
There are a lot of teams and fans that fall into that category, except for the one’s in Edmonton who cheer for the Oilers.