Edmonton Oilers forward Warren Foegele's exclusive interview with The Hockey News.
Edmonton Oilers forward Warren Foegele's exclusive interview with The Hockey News.
EDMONTON -- Warren Foegele has taken a tremendous step forward this season for the Edmonton Oilers. He has 29 points in 53 games - one point shy of tying his career high.
With 29 games left of the season, he's about to smash that to pieces.
For Foegele though, it's more than just about points. It's about the players he plays with.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp3FkiIa-ks[/embed]
"I've been fortunate enough to play with some really good players," he said to The Hockey News in an exclusive interview. He credits his teammates for contributing to his success this year, "I couldn't do it without my line mates."
The 27-year-old Markham, Ontario native has spent a lot of time this year playing with the Oilers top players. He has spent the majority of his time with one of Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or (most recently) Connor McDavid.
At first blush you might think that things started turning around for Foegele this year - but he started playing better last year at around this time. "I think the turning point was last year [after the] All-Star break."
"Just playing with a lot more confidence."
When things are going well, that's certainly a boost to a player's confidence. The fans are a huge part of what he enjoys about playing for the Oilers - and the energy they can bring during game time.
"It's a pretty cool thing to play in front of such a passionate fan base and the crowd is so loud. When things are going well it's a really cool feeling."
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM_I6lQsAUE[/embed]
Foegele understands how fortunate he is to play for a team with such enthusiastic fans. In his own words, "the crowd is amazing and you don't get that in every market."
With the Oilers in the hunt for a Stanley Cup - and a management group eager to make deals to improve the team's chances - Foegele's budget friendly $2.75-million expiring contract could be moved by the trade deadline.
If he is moved before then, he has nothing but good things to say about the time he has spent with the Oilers.
"There's nothing but love and respect for my time here. I'm hoping there's many more years still here." Foegele has grown close to the other players on the team and feels like they have a very strong bond with each other. "I love this group. I've created such great friendships and I know it's a real brotherhood here."
"It's a lot of fun playing in the city [Edmonton]."
Regardless of what the future brings for Foegele, it's clear that he has a deep fondness for the fans, his teammates and the opportunity he's had afforded him over the past three seasons.
Subscribe to Inside the Locker Room for full interviews like this one, as well as sights and sounds from Oilers practices.
Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss an update on the Oilers.
Related: Oilers Star Forward Returns From Sickness
Related: Ex-Oilers Defender Gaining Interest from Scouts
Related: Philip Broberg's Return From Injury Postponed
Around the NHL
Lightning Place Struggling Forward On Waivers
Into the numbers of the Avalanche's home ice dominance
Why Mason Lohrei is Bruins' No-Cost Deadline Upgrade
John Tortorella Compares Konecny to Former Blue Jackets Star