At 5-foot-8 and 163 pounds, Edmonton Oilers undrafted winger Vladimir Tkachev neither looks the part nor shares a pedigree similar to the top-ranked prospects that saturate the team's training-camp roster.

"He looks like he’s here to get somebody’s autograph," head coach Dallas Eakins joked.

Until he steps on the ice.

The Moncton Wildcats import, who scored 30 points in his only 20 games at the major junior level, is commanding attention at his first NHL training camp.

"He’s slight and he doesn't quite look like a hockey player," said Eakins to the Edmonton Journal. "But, boy, when he gets on the ice, he sure knows how to play hockey. Can you be a smaller player and play in this league? Absolutely. They’re everywhere.

"He’s an efficient kid and when you’re that size you learn the game differently. You learn how to use your body and put yourself in certain spots. He’s been good here early."

Acting as a mentor of sorts, fellow Russian Nail Yakupov - who likens Tkachev to former slick play-making Oiler Ales Hemsky - shared some of the words of wisdom he has offered his Russian compadre.

"If your parents are small, you’ll be small. Keeping your head up is the key."

The Oilers have until Oct. 1 to decide if they will sign the undrafted forward or release him back into next year's draft.