Jessica Klinkenberg
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, September 12, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Hallways and rooms at Stanton Territorial Hospital were a little 'oily' on Friday.

That's because four of the training camp rookies with the NHL's Edmonton Oilers were doing the rounds at the hospital and visiting with patients.

From surgery to extended care the four rookies went in search of fans of their prospective team. They found that and more in Stanton. One patient talked about his own experiences on the ice.

"I always get an elbow in the throat," he told the Oilers who winced in sympathy.

"It's always good to come up to put smiles on people's faces," said David Rohlfs, one of the rookies.

Some of them weren't strangers to visiting hospitals though.

"I did it for the last four years," Bryan Dobak said, referring to his days as a college hockey player. He added that he always appreciated the visits and being able to cheer up patients.

"It's good, they really appreciate it," rookie Troy Bodie said.

They visited with Alec Goodzeck who had broken his hip not too long ago. Although he's not an Oilers fan, he said he enjoyed chatting with the players and could understand their dedication.

"I have a daughter who used to compete (in sports)," he said.

He added that when his daughter was little they met Maurice Richard and had a hockey stick signed by him.

The Oilers left their own hockey stick, signed by the team, at the hospital.

Hospital administrators said that the stick would be given to the Stanton Foundation as an item for a future auction.