Once his ATO was signed, Tanner House scored 1-4-5 in 6 games for the Oklahoma City Barons this season (Steven Christy Photography) RELATED House's career stats & bio

Tanner House is a decorated and intelligent Edmonton Oilers prospect.

On the ice, House has been noticed for his hard work and dedication.  Need examples?  He served the last two seasons as team captain of the University of Maine Black Bears. He was named the Gladiator Hockey Best Defensive Forward in Hockey East for the 2010-11 season and the 25-year-old forward was named a finalist for the Lowes Senior Class Award and made the Lowe’s Senior Class first team for the 2010-2011 season.

Did we also mention he’s intelligent?

A finance major, House had a 3.8 GPA as a senior. House was named the winner of the Dean Smith Award, presented annually by the University of Maine’s M Club to the top male and female student-athletes at the university. The award is normally given to seniors, but House claimed it as a junior.  He was named to the Hockey East Academic All-Star Team in 2008 and received league Academic Honor Roll honors multiple times. He is a Dean’s List student and an inducted member of the business honors society at Maine and is a three-time Maine Scholar-Athlete Award winner..

Needless to say, House’s resume is complete regardless of whether one is looking at the academic side or the athletic side.

Did we mention intangibles like character and leadership abilities?

House can provide that. He was a two-year captain for the Black Bears of the University of Maine. He was also heavily involved with the university’s community service activities and an avid volunteer for programs like the YMCA and Toys for Tots.

House played four seasons for the University of Maine from 07-11, collecting 109 points (39-70-109) in 138 games.  His most productive season was his junior season when he scored 39 points (18-21-39) in 35 games.  That total was good for fourth on the team. As a senior, House scored 10 goals and 25 assists in 35 games.

House signed a two-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers on March 20, that will take effect this season. He came to the Oklahoma City Barons on an ATO (Amateur Tryout) during OKC’s late season playoff push.  In his time with OKC, House appeared in six games, and scored one goal and added four assists.

“It was a lot of fun,” House said. “Definitely a good experience and way different than college. It was good to get my feet wet, come in, kind of see how things are done and help them have their playoff push. It was a lot of fun, it was a good experience and I’m glad I came.”

The taste of professional hockey gave the 6-1, 202-pound center from Cochrane, Alberta some things to focus on over the summer.

“I think this summer I’ll know a lot more what to expect. Guys are a lot bigger and stronger so I’ve got to make sure I keep working on that. Just that confidence of knowing that I can play at this level so coming in next year, hopefully I won’t have those nerves that I had when I did play those few games here at the end of the year.”

House enjoyed his time in the AHL. He even got to meet a few fans with some common interests.

Author: Chris Wescott | OKCBarons.com

2010-11 OILERS PROSPECT STATS (PLAYOFFS)