The Edmonton Oil Kings are the first of the WHL’s 22 teams to sign their top pick from the 2008 bantam draft that was held May 1. The Oil Kings had F Michael St. Croix, the fourth overall selection, and his parents – Michelle and Rick – in town Tuesday to introduce them to the media and fans. St. Croix, from Winnipeg, is from a hockey family. His father is a former NHL goaltender and presently is the goaltending coach for the AHL’s Manitoba Moose; his brother, Chris, played for the Kamloops Blazers. . . . Michael St. Croix is expected to be on hand May 30 when the Oil Kings’ 1992- and 1993-born players and prospects gather for a three-day camp. . . .
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The WHL-champion Spokane Chiefs leave for Kitchener on Wednesday where the Memorial Cup opens on Friday. The Chiefs’ first game is Saturday against the Belleville Bulls. The Chiefs meet the host Rangers on Sunday and the Gatineau Olympiques on Tuesday. . . . All Memorial Cup games will be available on Rogers Sportsnet and, according to a Chiefs’ release, on the NHL Network.
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Here is the Memorial Cup schedule (all times Pacific):
Friday: Gatineau vs. Kitchener, 4 p.m.
Saturday: Belleville vs. Spokane, 1 p.m.
Sunday: Kitchener vs. Spokane, 1:30 p.m.
Monday: Belleville vs. Gatineau, 4 p.m.
Tuesday: Spokane vs. Gatineau, 4 p.m.
Wednesday, May 21: Kitchener vs. Belleville, 4 p.m.
Thursday, May 22: Tiebreaker (if necessary), TBA
Friday, May 23: Semifinal, 4 p.m.
Saturday, May 24: Off day.
Sunday, May 25: Final, 1:30 p.m.
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F T.J. Galiardi, who led the WHL playoffs in points despite not reaching the final, has signed a three-year deal with the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche. Galiardi, who turned 20 on April 22, left Dartmouth College last fall to join the Calgary Hitmen. He was a second-round pick in the 2007 NHL draft. Galiardi, who is from Calgary, had 70 points in 72 regular-season games and then added a WHL-leading 24 points in 16 playoff games.