Meet The Oilers: Marsh gets a crash course in EHL hockey

NORWALK-- Dejon Marsh could have followed numerous of his former colleagues into the NorthAmerican Hockey League or he could have taken a trip north to play in the Saskatchewan JuniorHockey League.

Rather, the Thornton, Colo., native opted to come eastern and sign up with the Connecticut Oilers'company, which plays in the Eastern Hockey Organization.

"I merely assumed the coaching staff was the very best that I might locate," claimed Marsh, 19, thatspent the previous 3 periods with the Colorado-based Rocky Mountain RoughRiders.

"I truly like (Oilers' head coach) Eric Lind and also just what they're doing here with playerdevelopment. I simply felt like I could possibly establish much more right here and also there's moreinstitutions out East so I might feel better appearances (from colleges)."

The Rocky Hill RoughRiders are a member of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, the moms and dad clubof the Oilers and a participant of the United States Hockey League given that 1999.

A big c and w fan whose favorite artist is Eric Church, Marsh claimed the greatest changeconcerning playing in Connecticut is being up until now from his household.

He figures his parents will acquire to see play only as soon as this season since Colorado is a trip or27-hour drive from Norwalk. That's a new experience for him considering that he played in hisresidence state the last three years.

Because he increased up with mountains in his backyard-- Thornton is 20 minutes north of Denver--Marsh also misses out on the awesome elegance of the Rockies, something Connecticut obviouslycan not match.

Marsh's initial day in the state in August was interesting as he was entailed in a minor auto accident(he was not harmed and also his vehicle was not ruined, though the various other motorist wasprovided a citation).

"I was visiting the rink, really," he claimed. "There was a construction area. A cop informed me toquit and also the person behind me really did not."

While it could have taken some time for him to obtain accustomed to Connecticut vehicle drivers aswell as the lack of mountains, Marsh is liking his encounter with the Oilers.

A smallish player at 5-foot-9 as well as 175 pounds, Marsh has 5 objectives and also four helps fornine points while playing in all 23 games.

The Oilers hired him when the Roughriders were playing in an exhibit in Detroit last period and alsothe events started chatting.

"I really feel like right here in the Oilers' organization, it's more regarding developing players than

earning money," Marsh claimed. "Clearly, we would like to gain hockey games, however it's evenmore regarding gamer advancement."

There are junior hockey organizations in the United Stateswith varying models as well as viewpoints.

The USHL is the only Rate I organization in the nation andalso on the same level with the top Canadian minorleague.

It produced even more NHL draft selects this year thanthe Ontario Hockey Organization and also some teams,like Cedar Rapids, draw upwards of 3,000 followers pervideo game.

The NAHL is a stop down from the USHL as the only TierII organization in the United States while the EHL is among 10 Rate III organizations throughout thecountry.

"The NA transformed a great deal of pro groups into junior teams," Lind claimed. "In order for thoseproprietors to make any cash, they need to place followers in the seats. A bunch of those cities areused to professional hockey.

"Here, I'm not a lot anxious regarding fans. I'm troubled regarding establishing youngsters andputting them in college. I'm not fretted about my job. If I'm coaching in the USHL or the NA, I'manxious regarding my job and my family."

Marsh said he is just one of simply two participants of last year's U-18 RoughRiders' Club to headeastern (the other is Pippen Weisbeck, who plays for the Islanders Hockey Club in the united statePremier Hockey Organization).

Lots of Division III institutions are concentrated in the East, but because they are limited byemploying budgets, they might be less inclined to take a trip longer ranges to view potentialemployees in the Midwest.

Logistically, it's much simpler to look prospects in the EHL, which is why the league is an eye-catching destination for junior players.

But the EHL is a pay-for-play league, meanings that a major monetary investment for familymembers, meanings it's not going to be for everyone.

In the USHL, all player expenses are paid for by the teams while the NAHL covers all expensesexcept space and board.

"Not everybody has money to come out East to pay to play," Lind stated. "Some children aren'tfortunate enough that they could come out and pay to play. If I'm not visiting make the USHL as wellas my parents are trying to conserve, the NA is a sensible choice. In the East, it's pay to play."

Perhaps Marsh is predestined to play in college due to the fact that he has actually been on skates

because he was 3-years-old.

He could thank his papa that came to be a big hockey follower after the Avalanchewon their firstStanley Cup in 1996.

"My father liked hockey and also assumed I must offer it a try," claimed Marsh, which is agedenough to keep in mind the Cup succeeded by Bruins' tale Ray Bourque as well as the Avalanche in2001.