and spent the majority of the season with the Oilers, only appearing in two games with Hamilton as part of a conditioning stint. The next season, Horcoff played the entire year with Edmonton, appearing in the 2003 NHL YoungStars Game. In the 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs, Horcoff led the Oilers in goals. In 2003–04, Horcoff set career highs in goals, assists and points, and was named the Oilers' Outstanding Defensive Forward. During the NHL lockout, Horcoff sought out a team where he would be able to play more of an offensive role., and signed a contract with for Mora IK of the Swedish Elitserien. This season marked a turning point in his career, where he played the role of an offensive leader (finishing fourth in the league in scoring) with a professional team. He has also represented Canada at the Ice Hockey World Championships. After the lockout, Horcoff returned to the NHL in 2005–06 and experienced an offensive breakthrough, posting career highs in goals, assists and points, and for the first time in his career took on the role of number one centre. He also tied Wayne Gretzky's team record for most points in a period when he assisted on four third period goals against the Detroit Red Wings on November 18, 2005. On January 10, 2006, Horcoff scored his first career NHL hat-trick, scoring all Oiler goals in a 3–1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Horcoff was part of the Edmonton Oilers team that made a run to the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals. However, the Oilers lost in Game 7 of the Finals to the Carolina Hurricanes. Horcoff had seven goals and 12 assists in the 2006 playoffs. In July 2006, Horcoff re-signed with the Oilers on a three-year contract. After a disappointing 2006–07 season, Horcoff used the off-season to make some changes. In addition to a demanding conditioning regimen, Horcoff went to the Easton Hockey factory in Tijuana, Mexico, and had a stick custom designed for him. In the summer of 2007, with the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) looking for a replacement for ousted leader Ted Saskin, Horcoff was one of five players named to the search committee that eventually selected Paul Kelly. In 2008, Horcoff was elected to the 56th NHL All-Star Game, held in Atlanta, where he won Fastest Skater in the Skills Competition. In February 2008, Horcoff underwent shoulder surgery, ending his 2007–08