The Edmonton Oilers are reportedly inviting prospects Ethan de Jong, Preston Lounsbury, Josh Van Mulligen, Noah Van Vliet, Nate Misskey, Brady Stonehouse, Jake Sloan, and Antonin Verreault to Rookie Camp. All eight of these players participated in the team’s development camp in July.
Player breakdown
De Jong, 23, is a right winger who has spent the past five seasons playing for Quinnipiac University, helping them win a championship this past season. The 2022–23 season was his best, where he scored 19 goals and 40 points in 41 games. Earlier this offseason, he signed a two-year AHL contract to play with the Bakersfield Condors.
Lounsbury is a small but highly skilled centre looking to grow his game this upcoming season with the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL. In 2022–23, he had 11 goals and 28 points in 58 games. This was his first full season with the Wildcats.
Van Mulligen is a dynamic defender who isn’t afraid to jump into the rush, but his 6’2” frame makes it hard for attackers to get past him, especially if he is lining up a big hit. He spent the 2022–23 season with the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL, where he had nine points in 68 games.
Van Vliet, 19, has spent most of his career thus far working his way up the system in Ontario, with the exception of a quick stint in El Paso in 2021–22. He spent all of 2022–23 with the Hamilton Bulldogs, scoring three goals and 15 points in 61 games, with another three points in six games in the playoffs.
Misskey, another 6’2” defender, has been working his way up the Saskatchewan junior system, graduating from the Melfort Mustangs of the SJHL to spending all of 2022–23 with the Victoria Royals of the WHL. He had five goals and 14 points in 65 games last season with the Royals.
Stonehouse, despite being a smaller winger at 5’10”, is a tenacious and physically engaged player who has a great scoring touch. With the Ottawa 67’s of the OHL in 2022–23, he scored 37 goals and had 57 points in 68 games. He has the potential to not only be a solid depth scorer, but developing into a pest-type player as well.
Sloan is a more local product, who spent many of his developmental years playing in Leduc before graduating to the WHL’s Tri-City Americans, where he has spent time over the past four seasons. Most recently, in 2022–23, he scored 20 goals and had 55 points in 58 games. His size, being a 6’4” forward, combined with his vision and hands give him a unique skillset that will be something to keep an eye on.
Verreault is an interesting player. He is a smaller left wing who is (now) playing with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL. But he has spent the past three seasons with the Gatineau Olympiques, where he has had 104 points in 125 games. His skillset focuses on controlling the play through speed and staying mobile. Making quick decisions and trying to stay one step ahead of the opponents at all times. These playmaking skills could be valuable, if he were to develop.
These eight players will participate in this year’s Young Stars Classic Tournament in Penticton, running from September 15 to 18.
Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire
