The Edmonton Oilers rookies have begun practicing and veteran players will soon jump on the ice too. Head coach Kris Knoblauch showed up at rookie camp. In these scenarios, the head coach of the AHL affiliate often runs the rookie tournament prior to the start of training camp, and to this point, it's been run by Bakersfield Condors' coach Colin Chaulk. But per Kurt Leavins in the Edmonton Journal, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch joined some members of the front office for a rare appearance yesterday to take the young prospects in firsthand, and fans were shocked. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/Bob_Stauffer/status/1835127470464680389'> </a></blockquote></div> This appearance is part of a larger shift by the Oilers to prioritize player development and has signaled a top-down commitment to improvement for the coming season. By including coach Knoblauch, the rookies have a great chance to take away guidance, honest feedback, and inspiration toward the next level. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/OADsBraydonW/status/1835163127228330197'> </a></blockquote></div> The Young Stars Classic wraps up this Monday with a game against the Winnipeg Jets' rookies, and just a few days later the Oilers' training camp will get underway. A week from now they will begin preseason, the opening of what should be a telling season, one in which the players and coaches are all preparing to make a <a href='https://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/edmonton-oilers/edmonton-oilers-itching-for-action-going-into-training-camp' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>serious Stanley Cup run</a> after falling just short in game 7 last June. Source: Oilers Daily <a href='https://www.oilersdaily.com/nhl-team/edmonton-oilers/coach-knoblauch-takes-rare-action-at-oilers-rookie-training-camp' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Coach Knoblauch and front office staff take rare action at Oilers rookie training camp</a>