Chimera stands alone from Edmonton’s 1997 draft class

It’s pretty remarkable that the Edmonton Oilers 1997 draft class combined for 1,035 NHL games.

Especially when you consider that nine of those 10 picks combined for just 19 of them.

Nobody would have guessed back then that a fifth-rounder from Edmonton would be the prize of the entire lot — still going strong 20 years and 1,016 games later.

“You just keep plugging away doing the little things right and hopefully you do enough to keep people wanting you,” said 37-year-old Jason Chimera, who spent the first two seasons in Edmonton before the Oilers traded him to Phoenix for draft picks that turned out to be Geoff Paukovich and Liam Reddox.

“I’d be lying if I said I thought I’d still be kicking around. You would never envision as a 20-year-old in Hamilton that 1,000 games later you would still be playing in the NHL. It’s been a good ride, but it’s hopefully nowhere near done.”

While the other Oilers selected that year are in the “Where are they now?” file — Michel Riesen (12 NHL games), Patrick Dovigi (one), Sergei Yerkovich (none), Jonas Elofsson (none), Peter Sarno (seven), Kevin Bolibruck (none), Chad Hinz (none), Chris Kerr (none) and Alex Fomitchev (none) — Chimera is closing in on a 20-goal season.

He’s still fast, still plays hard, still good in the room and former teammate-turned-coach Doug Weight said they’re glad to have him.

“He was way louder now,” joked Weight. “And it is healthy for our room. We have a pretty quiet group, so he’s been huge for this team.”

One thousand and counting. Not a lot of fifth-rounders can say that.

“I’m not a guy who’s going to stand out with goals and assists,” said Chimera. “But to play 1,000 games, longevity is a pretty cool thing. You stare at that number and it’s pretty cool to see 1,000 beside your name. It’s pretty humbling to be part of that group.

“I have a lot of people to thank, a lot of people helped me get there.”

WHAT’S IN A NUMBER?

It’s become one of the most ridiculous “debates” in the NHL: Is it OK for Islanders rookie Josh HoSang to wear No. 66?

While the vast majority of hockey fans don’t have an issue with Ho-Sang paying tribute to Mario Lemieux, one of his hockey idols, there is a very small segment of the game that it doesn’t sit well with.

Those people need to give their head a shake, said his coach.

“It’s a homage,” said Weight. “He has the utmost respect for a great player. People try to paint him as a bad kid because he looked up to him?”