EDMONTON, AB - Tobias Rieder spoke to the media following Friday's Oilers practice, commenting on some criticism he received from Oilers CEO Bob Nicholson on Thursday.
"Yesterday before the game, I got a call that woke me up from my pre-game nap," Rieder, standing in front of an Oilers banner in a Downtown Community Arena dressing room, said.
"At that point, I didn't know what was going on. He (Oilers Entertainment Group CEO Bob Nicholson) apologized for what he was saying. At that point, I didn't really know to what extent this was going to be. Then my phone blew up and it was all over the news and everything. I know he feels bad about it."
Rieder said he was disappointed when he heard the criticism but has since accepted the apology from Nicholson. The winger was also appreciative of his teammates for supporting him during the situation.
"I'm not proud of the season I'm having and I'm the first one to admit that I'm not playing to my capabilities," he said. "I think it went a little too far and I think Bob knows that, too.
"You don't want it dragging on forever. Whatever happened, happened. That's how it is in this business and you just have to get over it. We're still in the race for the playoffs. I'm still going to go out there and play my heart out, play for the guys and my friends in the locker room and do my best to help the team win."
Rieder, who scored 12 goals last season, has 11 assists in 60 games this year.
"He's a no-maintenance player," said Oilers Head Coach Ken Hitchcock. "He hasn't scored like he normally does, it's probably put a lot of pressure on him, but he's a good teammate. He's done the right things all year for us."
BLOG: Rieder addresses media
"I'm the first one to admit that I'm not playing to my capabilities. I think it went a little too far and I think Bob (Nicholson) knows that, too," said Oilers forward Tobias Rieder
