Hitchcock reveals why Puljujarvi was called up from the AHL.

The Edmonton Oilers surprised a great many people when they announced on Saturday that they had suddenly called up former first round pick Jesse Puljujarvi to the main roster. 

The surprise stemmed entirely from the fact that Puljujarvi had seemingly flunked out with the Oilers once again this season, this in spite of strong showing during training camp, and was being sent down to the American Hockey League in order to secure more playing time. The hope, at least according to comments made by general manager Peter Chiarelli, was that playing the AHL against lesser opposition would give Puljujarvi a chance to build his confidence, but it seems like the 4 games that he got down there will have to suffice. 

There has been plenty of speculation regarding what might be the motivation behind the move and on Saturday newly appointed head coach Ken Hitchock did a great deal to dispel a lot of the rumors that had been floating on there today. Speaking with members of the media Hitchocck revealed that he was the man behind the decision to bring back Puljujarvi early, and the veteran head coach backed it up with some pretty solid reasoning as well.

"I wanted responsibility for his development," said Hitchock on Saturday. "I didn’t just want to be watching him play in AHL. I feel this is type of player we need to win in the Western Confernce. I asked Peter if he’d bring him up for practice today."

It makes a great deal of sense after all, most coaches have had a chance to observe their young talent in training camp but in the case of a mid season appointment like the one that Hitchcock has taken on he is going to be much more unfamiliar with the nuances of each individual talent on his team. In fact it sounds like even after Hitchcock was appointed to the position the plan with Puljujarvi remained the same, at least from management's perspective, but Hitchcock approach Chiarelli and asked him to bring up the former 2016 first round pick immediately.

“The talk was to have him play tonight (for Bakersfield). I asked Peter if we could get him here to practice instead,” Hitchcock said.

Only time will tell if he made the right move.

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