Oilers Ryan Whitney & Taylor Hall pose with a fan at the Draft Lottery Tweetup Tuesday, April 12, 2011. (Photo by Andy Devlin / Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club)

On Tuesday, April 12 Hudsons Downtown was packed with an overflow crowd of passionate Oilers fans ready to watch as history was made at the Edmonton Oilers exclusive Draft Lottery Tweetup.  Oilers Twitter followers packed the Hudsons Canadian Taphouse downtown location for the exclusive event where they mingled with their fellow tweeps to talk hockey and to watch the Draft Lottery take place.

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Over 350 people RSVP’d for the party and Hudsons was filled to the brim with excited Oilers fans who were anxiously awaiting to see if their team would be picking first overall again in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.  Complimentary appetizers and beverages were made available to the guests, courtesy of Hudsons, Molson and the Edmonton Oilers.  A few lucky attendees also got great prizes to take home including team signed Oilers jerseys and Hudsons gift cards.

It wasn’t just fans who were taking part in the excitement of the Tweetup though.  Oilers defenceman Ryan Whitney and last year’s first overall draft pick Taylor Hall took in the festivities.

“This Tweetup goes to show how great our fans are,” Ryan Whitney said of the fan support at the Tweetup, “They’re really passionate about the team and to see this many people here is unreal.”

The tweeters in attendance were overjoyed at the fact they had the opportunity to meet members of the Oilers.

“I got my Windsor Spitfires jersey signed by Taylor Hall,” said an excited Kevin Rohoman, “I got it exactly a year ago today so it’s a nice anniversary gift.”

With the capacity crowd in full anticipation at 6:20pm MDT, the NHL’s Deputy Commissioner, Bill Daly announced the Oilers will be picking first overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

“It’s great to get the first overall pick two years in a row; I’d like a defenceman, so I hope we draft Adam Larsson with the pick,” said lifetime Oilers fan Louise Macinnes, “It’s been a really great night and the Tweetup was a first for me.”

Members of Oilers Octane, who were also in attendance, couldn’t help but be thrilled for Oilers fans.

“I’m always amazed at how much Oilers fans support the team,” said Octane member Nikki, “Tonight was a big night and it’s good to know the fans left with big smiles knowing they have the first overall pick again.”

A guest appearance by Oilers legend and Hall of Famer Glenn Anderson capped off a great night in Oil Country.

 “Seeing all these Oilers fans here reminds me of the rallies we used to host in the 1980s, this event speaks volumes about Oilers fans,” said Anderson.

Throughout the evening, live-cut ins and mentions of the Oilers Tweetup were made on TSN’s live draft lottery broadcast.  630CHED was also on location during the event, with Dan Tencer and Bob Stauffer broadcasting all the action.

The 2011 NHL Entry Draft will take place on June 24-25, 2011 in St. Paul, Minnesota.