Sam Gagner's pedigree and head for the game trumped his birth certificate Monday when it came time for the Edmonton Oilers to decide whether to sign him or return him to junior. Instead of getting a ticket back to the OHL's London Knights as many expected, the 18-year-old son of former NHLer Dave Gagner got a three-year, entry level contract with the Oilers. Gagner is hockey-smart beyond his years and could go from being a longshot to make the club when training camp began to facing Joe Thornton when the Oilers open their regular season against San Jose at Rexall Place Thursday.