FEATURE: Revelling in Gravel

EDMONTON, AB - Defenceman Kevin Gravel is putting his best foot forward every chance he gets in a bid for a consistent place in the Oilers lineup as an impactful third-pairing blueliner, whether that be during a game or preparing for one.
The results are beginning to show.
The Kingsford, Michigan product has started the last five games with the big club after jumping between the Oilers lineup, the press box, and the Bakersfield Condors, whom he played five games for this season in the American Hockey League (AHL), for a majority of the season.
Following a down season hindered by Crohn's Disease in 2017-18 that saw the 26-year-old make 16 appearances with the Los Angeles Kings and a further 25 in the AHL with the Manchester Monarchs, Gravel now has two assists in 14 games with the Oilers this season and is earning the trust of his teammates and the coaching staff while averaging just over 13 minutes of ice time a night.

"I think every day I just try to show up and put my work in," Gravel said following Saturday's practice. "Last year was last year, it didn't go the way I'd planned, but that's okay and sometimes that happens. But I'm here now and it's been good so far and I've enjoyed every minute of it.
"As a player you want to be put out in situations and help the team as much as possible, and for the last few games I've had the opportunity to play consistently and sometimes that makes it easier when you're in the flow of everything.
Gravel has found consistency in his pairings as well, regularly being deployed on the left side with Matt Benning.
"I've been playing with [Benning] for the most part and we're working well together," Gravel said. "He's easy to play with, a very vocal on the ice, and he's a good player."
Hitchcock admitted to not having been too familiar with Gravel's game on arrival in Edmonton, but the Oilers bench boss is finding comfort in the defenceman's ability to play a defensive game while contributing to the rush offensively.
"I'm still trying to find out who he is. I knew him a little bit from Los Angeles and I didn't pay too much attention to him," Hitchcock said. "The part I like about him is he's got a great stick. His angling, his body and stick positioning, he's able to disrupt plays down low a lot.
"To me that's what we saw in LA - that he's a smart player and has a great stick. If he gets caught up to the pace he could be a full-time NHLer."
The 6-foot-4 rearguard is one of the Oilers role players vying for their place in the lineup every game and every practice, waiting for their opportunity to impress during a long season where their contributions can be felt over an 82-game stretch.
"Everyone knows what their roles are - some guys are scorers, some guys are depth guys, and some guys keep the puck out of the net," Gravel added. "Every role is just as important. Some aren't as glamorous as others, but it's a long season and over the course of 82 games certainly everyone is needed."