Corban Knight (right) converses with Oilers Head Coach James PooleAs he gets set to begin his pre-season cracking the Florida Panthers roster, High River's Corban Knight took some time to go back to his roots skating with the Okotoks Oilers this week.

Knight, 24 spent just one season with the Oilers before committing to the University of North Dakota but has never forgotten where he came from.

Knight says it was nice to be back on the ice in Okotoks.

"It's crazy as each year goes by, I don't know quite as many guys as the year before," he says. "But it's still nice coming out Poolie (Oilers Head Coach James Poole) is a great guy allowing me to come out and skate, it's nice to come out and get some ice in with these guys."

When asked if the 2015-16 Oilers would ask a player who was the AJHL's Rookie of the Year,  played four years of NCAA Hockey and has scored a goal in NHL goal for advice, Knight had this to say.

"I think if anything I should have asked them for advice," he smiled. "I was little sluggish out there today, but they're good guys though you can tell they're really receptive out there and they're joking around so it's fun being out there."

The last time the former Oiler was in an Alberta Junior Hockey League game was 2009 and says there's been quite a few changes since then.

"Every year it's getting more skilled, back when I played it was a bit of a slower game and with some bigger guys out there," Knight says. "I mean it wasn't that long ago, but even in the short time it's been you can tell the pace has picked up a lot."

Knight will head to his alma matter in North Dakota next week to skate with pro alumni before heading off to Florida's training camp the following week.