Selmar Odelein

This rawboned farm kid from Quill Lake (150 miles north of Regina) was selected by Edmonton in the  1st round, 21st overall in 1984. Selmar Odelein was delighted that he was chosen by the Stanley Cup champions but at the same time realized that it would be tough to earn a spot on the teams strong blueline that included guys like Paul Coffey, Kevin Lowe and Charlie Huddy.

Edmonton's Western scout at that time, former NHL'er Lorne Davis, was the guy primarily responsible that Edmonton picked Selmar in the 1st round. Davis had watched Selmar for four years, ever since Selmar had attended a hockey school that Lorne Davis was running. Selmar's strength at that time was his good all-around play. He moved the puck well out of his zone and was capable of doing everything required by an NHL defenseman. His strongest asset was his defensive play in his own zone.

Selmar played for the Regina Canadians (SJHL) and Regina Pats (WHL) being the rookie of the year for the Pats in 1983-84. Selmar also represented Canada in the 1985 and 86 world junior championships, winning the Gold in 85.

He never managed to earn a full time job on the Oilers blueline and only played a total of 18 games for the Oilers during a three year span. He played mostly in the AHL for the Nova Scotia / Cape Breton Oilers. A severe knee injury followed by serious surgery derailed his NHL dreams.

After four years in the Oilers farm system Selmar decided that it was time to try something else, so he toured with the Canadian national team during the 1989-90 season and then looked at options of playing in Europe. He finally got a good offer from Austria and the Innsbruck team. He spend two years in Austria before heading to Great Britain where he finished his career in 1994.

Selmar never lived up to the high expectations and his NHL career was brief and disappointing. His younger brother Lyle had a lot more success in the NHL although being drafted in the 8th round, 141st overall.