BLOG: Samorukov looking to continue his stay in Edmonton

EDMONTON, AB - Dmitri Samorukov made Edmonton his home in the offseason and heading into Oilers Training Camp, he's hoping to make that move permanent.
"The summer was really good. It was sunny in Edmonton and that was really enjoyable," Samorukov said on Tuesday following an informal skate at the Downtown Community Arena. "I've spent some good time here and put in some work. The season's coming, so it's an exciting time."
The 2017 third-round pick has spent the majority of his offseason in Edmonton, adjusting to life in the city and staying close to the team facilities prior to what is an important year in the defender's development.
Samorukov is coming off a career year in the American Hockey League in which he was able to suit up for 51 games for the Bakersfield Condors last season. The defenceman set career highs in across the board with three goals, 15 assists and a plus-16 rating for the California club.

The 23-year-old's numbers may have been more impressive if it wasn't for an injury bug which bit him hard last season. The defenceman broke his jaw during Rookie Camp against the Calgary Flames, essentially snuffing his chances to make the Oilers opening night roster out of Training Camp. Despite the injury, Samorukov would still end up making his NHL debut on Dec. 29 against the St. Louis Blues -- but it was the lone game the Russian played with the big club.
Samorukov ended up returning to Bakersfield where he played an important role for the Condors until he suffered a shoulder injury on April 2, putting him out of the lineup for the remainder of the AHL campaign.
Entering this year's Training Camp, Samorukov finds himself healthy and in a battle with a plethora of young Oilers blueliners like Philip Broberg, Vincent Desharnais, and Markus Niemelainen.
"Those things (injuries) happen. You just got to work through it and be smart with it," he said. "You have to put yourself back into great shape and prove you can still be the best one. It's always a battle. Everybody wants to come and prove they're the best.
"My job is pretty simple -- just prove I'm the best. Mindwise, I'm ready and it's going to be fun and really exciting."

This year is a vital one for the career of Samorukov, who must pass through waivers in order to be sent down to the American Hockey League. He is on the cusp of becoming a fulltime NHL defenceman, but there are a plethora of bodies vying for limited spots on an Oilers blueline which already features veterans in Darnell Nurse, Cody Ceci, Tyson Barrie, Brett Kulak, and Evan Bouchard.
Those circumstances made the defender's decision to stay in Edmonton to prepare for the season an easier one. Samorukov has taken a very business-like approach to his preparation, with his priority set on getting in the right mindset for the upcoming NHL season.
"Put your head down, you work, go back, sleep, and then you put your head down and you work again," Samorukov said about his process. "It's an easy recipe, you just got to look yourself in the mirror and be better every day."
Samorukov isn't going through the daily grind in an unfamiliar country alone, however, as his wife Anastasia has joined him in Edmonton. It's a decision which the Samorukov couple are happy to have made.
"We really like Canada and think it's a great place to live," Dmitri said. "We enjoy every day and we'll try to have more of our family come out later this year."
When the Volgograd, Russia product isn't putting in work at the rink or the gym, he is usually spending his time wandering Edmonton -- not to mention the traditional Albertan pastime of going to Banff.
"We went for a couple walks just over the bridges and over the river. It's a nice place just for walks, it's really calm and there are some nice views," Samorukov said
Samorukov is hoping that his familiarity with the city will pay dividends in the '22-23 season, while he looks to cement a role on the Oilers blueline. However, with all Edmonton and Alberta has to offer, Samorukov had a one-word response when asked where his go-to place in the city was.
"Couch," he said with a smile.