Fans finally get a look at Bouchard DEREK VAN DIEST

Edmonton Oilers rookie defenceman Evan Bouchard travelled a long way to make his NHL debut.

After an impressive training camp, Bouchard, 18, earned a spot on the roster and went to Europe with the Oilers for an exhibition game in Cologne, Germany, and season opener in Gothenburg, Sweden. He was back in the lineup Thursday for the Oilers home opener against the Boston Bruins.

“It was a great experience to be able to bond with the team and to have a chance to play my first game overseas, that was pretty cool,” Bouchard said. “I think it took time to really get used to playing in the NHL, but I think I adjusted well and playing with the guys we have here, it makes it that much easier for me.”

The 10th overall pick in last summer’s NHL Entry Draft, Bouchard showed good poise in his first three games with the Oilers before sitting out against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday. He averaged 13 minutes of ice time in his three games and had an even rating in losses to the Devils and Bruins, and in the win against the Rangers.

“He’s held his own fairly well,” said Oilers head coach Todd McLellan. “Our fans will see him play at home (Thursday) and he’ll continue developing.”

GOOD TO BE HOME

The Edmonton Oilers have been away for so long, it would not be surprising if they’ve forgotten the feel of playing at Rogers Place.

The Oilers last played a pre-season game there on Sept. 29, before heading off on their European junket and then returning to North America to play three road games.

“It’s been a long road to start the season, so we’re happy to be back at Rogers, and obviously, we want to establish home-ice advantage early this year,” said Oilers goaltender Cam Talbot.

“We didn’t get off to the start that we wanted to last year, so we wanted to make sure we put our best foot forward.”

HOMECOMING FOR DEBRUSK

The first question for Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk on Thursday morning was deflected to his father Louie, the former Oilers winger, now the team’s TV colour man.

Louie DeBrusk asked his son where he inherited his soft hands, considering he had 24 goals in 401 games in the NHL. Jake DeBrusk, meanwhile, has 18 goals in 76 NHL games going into Thursday’s contest against the Oilers.

“I don’t know,” smiled Jake. “Yours were concrete.”

DeBrusk, who turned 22 on Wednesday, was happy to be back in his hometown. The six-foot, 188-pound winger has two goals in his first six games.