Former Bison re-ups with the Oilers

By Tyler Lowey, Times Reporter

Ty Rattie has come a long way from his time running around the Strathmore Family Centre as a member of the UFA Bisons.
From playing alongside guys like Kyle Knelsen, Steven Fernie and Devin Mitzner during the 2008-09 season, Rattie slightly upgraded and just wrapped his fifth NHL season flying down the wing beside Connor McDavid.
“It’s weird how that works right?” said Rattie, after his Edmonton Oilers shaved the division-winning Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 April 5 at Rogers Place. “Sometimes you have to pinch yourself when you’re playing with the best player in the world. At the same time, you can’t be in awe or star struck because there are a million other guys that want to take your spot. I’m just trying to play my best and keep up with that line.”
Rattie wrapped up the season by finishing off a McDavid steal in the offensive end and ripped one from the faceoff dot over Malcolm Subban for his fifth of the season.
“I thought we kept the pressure on them most of the night and didn’t allow them to have too much zone pressure in our end. It felt good to get the win tonight,” said Rattie.
The Airdrie product’s two points in the Oilers’ penultimate regular season game capped off a year that saw him record nine points in 14 games as part of his two-way contract with the Oilers.
NHL clubs offer young players that might not have performed up to expectations a two-year deal for a year as a last chance to show if they can sink or float in the big leagues.
At 25 years of age, Rattie’s nine points with the Oilers and 21 goals, 22 assists and 43 points in 53 games with the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League convinced the Oilers management group to renew Rattie’s deal April 14.
Terms and dollar amount of the new deal were not released by April 24, but the Oilers will bring him back for at least one more year.
It’s been a long and winding road for the former Bison star.
“Being from Airdrie, the Bisons were always the top team that you wanted to play for coming out of bantam. I remember being nervous at training camp, wondering if I was going to make the team. But everyone welcomed me and the coaching staff was great and I have nothing but good things to say about my time in Strathmore,” said Rattie.
Rattie went on to have an incredible career in the Western Hockey League, scoring 151 goals, 197 assists and 348 points in 269 games for the Portland Winterhawks. He won the Ed Chynoweth Cup for the 2012-13 season and was eventually selected 32nd overall by the St. Louis Blues during the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
“Going into my free agent year (last summer), Edmonton was one of my top choices. They have good young guys, a good organization and I knew a couple of guys here already,” said Rattie. “It’s just one of those things that worked out in the end and I am happy it did.”
Since turning pro, Rattie has buried nine goals and 19 points in 48 games in the NHL over five seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes, Blues and Oilers. Spending most of his time in the minors, Rattie has compiled 92 goals, 92 assists and 184 points in 268 AHL games with the Chicago Wolves and Condors.
Even though Rattie has been well travelled since his time with the Bisons came to an end, he still remembers Strathmore.
As an Airdrie native, he is torn about his feelings with the relocation of the Bisons.
“Obviously, Strathmore had an awesome program. But being from Airdrie, it was bitter sweet to see them leave. I was able to get involved with the training camp process this year and that was cool to broaden my horizons by helping out with tryouts,” said Rattie. “Strathmore did a heck of a job with the team they had. I’m sure they’ll get another team to come back.”
No matter where Rattie ends up and wherever the Bisons call home, he will always go down as one of the greatest players to play at the Family Centre.