Jordan Eberle poses with a dedicated fan at Sunday afternoon's ATB Financial Oilers Autograph Session (Photo by Andy Devlin / Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club). PHOTOS Click here to view the photo gallery

Edmonton, AB – West Edmonton Mall was a sea of orange & blue as more than 10,000 Oilers fans of all ages converged on the mall today as the team hosted the annual ATB Financial Edmonton Oilers Autograph Session.  Eager fans arrived as early as 5:30am, braving the brisk winter morning to guarantee the chance to meet their favourite Oilers the morning after the team’s third consecutive win at Rexall Place.

“It’s always a day we look forward to and to see the amount of people that showed up was outstanding,” said Oilers Captain Shawn Horcoff. “Every year there’s a huge turnout at this event and it shows how much support the Oilers have in Oil Country.”

Massive lines met the players who were stationed throughout West Edmonton Mall.

“It’s an exciting time to be an Oilers fan; we’re in the middle of a rebuild and being able to meet the players is great,” said Oilers fan, Randy Fernandez.

With the Autograph Session held on the Family Day weekend, many out-of-town fans decided to make the trek to Edmonton from the far corners of Oil Country, including Fort McMurray, Beaver Lodge & Camrose for today’s event.

For rookies Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Magnus Paajarvi and Linus Omark, their first ATB Financial Oilers Autograph Session was a memorable one.

“I was talking with some fans on my way in who said they had been here for 5-6 hours before the session began and I was amazed,” said Oilers Jordan Eberle. “For guys like us that are new to the NHL and in the community, it’s incredible to see that kind of support.”

Edmonton Oilers hockey is presented in part by the Rexall Family of Pharmacies, Molson Canadian, ATB Financial, Cenovus Energy and Ford.