Airdrie's Ty Rattie has joined a team known for being where Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier and now Connor McDavid have become household names.

The 24 year old free agent yesterday (July 1) signed a one year deal with the Edmonton Oilers.  In an interview at Chinook Winds Park during Canada Day festivities yesterday, Rattie says he's excited to join a team in his home province.

"It's exciting I think, obviously it's close to home, I had a lot of family members that were Flames fans but they're going to have to switch now and it's an exciting time, I couldn't be happier."

Rattie says the deal with the Oilers came together in a hurry.  "Actually it happened pretty quick.  I think two days ago I was at the gym and I got a call from Peter Chiarelli and Craig McTavish and they were just expressing their interest in me and actually they were number one on my list too so it works out really well."

Edmonton's 2017 playoff run ended with a 2 - 1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks in game seven of the Western Conference semi-final which Rattie says is proof the team is ready to take the next step towards reclaiming the Stanley Cup.  "I think Edmonton is in a win now situation and they have the team to win now.  A guy like me needs to go in there and fit in and help the team win and I've got to prove that."

Rattie spent five games in the lineup of the Carolina Hurricanes last season and posted two assists.  He spent 22 games with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League, notching five points on two goals and three assists.  In 35 career NHL games with the St. Louis Blues and the Hurricanes, Rattie has registered 10 points, four goals and six assists.

The Oilers are loaded with young talent, including Leon Draisaitl and the NHL's MVP Connor McDavid who Rattie hopes he can fit in with and learn from.  "I think obviously McDavid is the best player in the world and it's going to be a lot of fun and a lot of things to learn from that kind of guy.  It's a young team and I like the way I fit in with that kind of team, now I've just got to go in there and prove they made the right move."

Rattie is confident that he can fit in and make the Oilers star packed lineup.  "I think every team is deep now.  I'm confident in myself and I think the Oilers have confidence in me or else they wouldn't have contacted me.  I want to be there, I want to be there from day one and now it's just a matter of me going in there and I need to prove that." 

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