Oilers Sign Two Finnish Forwards

Oilers Sign A Pair Of Finnish Forwards
Source

General Manager Steve Tambellini announced today the Edmonton Oilers have agreed to terms with free agent forwards Lennart Petrell and Antti Tyrvainen on entry-level contracts, one-year and two-years respectively. Petrell, 27, just completed his seventh season with HIFK Helsinki of the Finnish Elite League, scoring 35 points (13G, 22A) in 56 games. Originally drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2004, Petrell has played in 350 career games with HIFK Helsinki, collecting 161 points (76G, 85A) and 415 penalty minutes. The 6’3”, 220-pound Helsinki, Finland native participated in the 2008 Karjala Cup and also played in five games with Team Finland at the 2004 World Junior Hockey Championship, helping the team to a Bronze medal. Tyrvainen, 22, just completed his third year with the Lahti Pelicans of the Finnish Elite League, recording 23 points (14G, 9A) in 52 games. The 5’11”, 200-pound Seinajoki, Finland native has played in 89 career games with the Pelicans, collecting 22 goals and 12 assists for 34 points as well as 271 penalty minutes. Tyrvainen also has some international experience representing Finland in the 2007 Under-18 World Hockey Championship, notching one assist and four penalty minutes in six games played.

Because I and most other fans had no clue who they were, I found some scouting reports on them:
Source: eliteprospects.com


Antti Tyrvainen- An energy player with a fearless style of play. Variable with a good shot. Make some goals from rebounds. Aggressive, but sometimes the wrong decision. Dependent on good environment for success. 


Lennart Petrell- A large forward who likes to check. Energetic and good with the puck. Offensively good. Petrell's main weaknesses are his defensive game and skating. 


PattyB Thoughts:
These guys will most likely be used as depth for the Oilers, and hopefully they can turn out to be effective players for them. Honestly I feel like Antti Tyrvainen might push for an NHL spot out of training camp and if he does, from what I have found out about him, he'll be a big-time fan favorite.