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With the roster freeze lifted this morning, Edmonton Oilers got straight to work, announcing the signing of an undrafted free agent Cameron Hebig, an over-age centre who has been filling the net for Saskatoon Blades of the WHL.

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Hebig turns 21 next month, a few days after Connor McDavid does the same, just to put a little harsh perspective on the matter. In some ways his advanced age is a good thing, given the organizational void that exists at the “scoring centre” position. Not the worst of ideas to add a possible late bloomer who will be ready to turn pro the moment his junior career ends with the Blades’ current season.

In the meantime and in between times he’s keeping himself busy putting the puck in the net. Hebig’s 28 goals in 34 games rank him fifth in the WHL. Veteran smarts and experience are no doubt part of it; he’s joined in that top five by three other over-agers also born in 1997, and by one guy born in the first week of January 1998. Of the five, only one was even drafted by an NHL team, Ty Ronning by New York Rangers in 2016’s 7th round. Let’s just say I’d be more inclined to bet on one or more of them going on to star in USport’s Canada West conference than at the NHL level. But every general rule has its exception.