Braden Christoffer is seizing the opportunity.

Braden Christoffer, an underrated player who signed an AHL contract of one year this summer, is turning heads at this year's Young Stars Classic in Penticton B.C.

The 21 year old has scored an amazing goal against the Canucks and he has scored 3 goals in three games adding 2 assists.

Christoffer knows that the opportunity is his to grab.

“This is a win-win situation for me. You’ve got these superstars here (McDavid, Draisaitl), a loaded lineup and I’m coming in to play my rear end off and trying to do some things out of my comfort zone and others I do well. I think I’ve spent my career catching up, trying to get to the next level. I was playing in the Alberta Junior League at 17 (Sherwood Park Crusaders). When I got to the WHL, I was an unlisted player (not drafted). I’ve always had a physical element to my game (147 penalty minutes in 47 games for the Crusaders) but the last few years I’ve tried to add some offence so I’m not just running around,”

Even Connor McDavid wa impressed by Christoffer's leadership and hard work.

“He’s a real leader. He’ll do whatever it takes for his teammates and you love to see that. He’s a guy you want to be around and obviously his play speaks for itself. He wasn’t drafted but a lot of guys fall through the cracks. I guess Edmonton’s got some pretty smart management to bring him to this camp.”

It would be surprising to see Christoffer crack the Oiler's roster, but he surely deserves an invitation to the main camp. If he continues his development in the AHL, he might be part of Edmonton's team in two or three years. And who knows, he might be part of the next Oilers team to win the Stanley Cup.

But we are way over our head with that one.

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