As most leagues around the world enter into their holiday break, prospects within the Edmonton Oilers system have been getting some last-minute hockey in. With the last edition of prospect update before Christmas, let’s take a look to see how nice some of the Oilers prospects have been this year.
Despite the break, hockey doesn’t stop everywhere all at once, so let’s take a look at this past week.
Welcome to the TOR Edmonton Oilers prospect update. Each week, we’ll take a dive into how the Oilers’ prospects have done in their respective leagues to go along with a feature on one standout prospect in Edmonton’s system. We have defined a prospect as a skater who has played fewer than 65 NHL games, and is born 2001 or earlier.
James Stefan, F, Bakersfield Condors
Who is James Stefan?
James Stefan is a name not many Oilers fans might be familiar with, and for good reason. The 2003-born undrafted free agent wrapped up his WHL career with the Portland Winterhawks after the 2023–24 season. Across parts of five seasons and 254 WHL games, the forward posted 256 career points.
The soft skill forward plays a high-frequency shot game, which demonstrates his aptitude as a sniper. His overall game is highlighted by strong shooting, decent puck skills, and adequate offensive instincts.
Stefan’s road to pro-hockey
Stefan initially signed with the Edmonton Oilers on March 21, 2024 near the end of his over-age year with the Portland Winterhawks. Entering the 2024–25 season, the American winger was then assigned to the Bakersfield Condors, but would be assigned back and forth from them to the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets.
Across his first 45 AHL games Stefan scored only three times for the Condors, while also having a -16, plus-minus rating.
As a player who is primarily known as a scorer, his adjustment to professional hockey wasn’t off to a smooth start as he struggled adjusting to the offensive pace, play reads, and situational awareness of more mature professional players. Soon after
The undrafted forward found moderate success at the ECHL ranks, being a consistent focal point and primary scorer for the Fort Wayne Komets, hinting at Stefan being a late bloomer and finally adjusting to the ranks of professional hockey.
Stefan’s season so far
Stefan has been the best player for the Komets in the 2025–26 campaign so far. The 6’0” winger has led all players in production with 12 goals and 10 assists good for 22 points across 23 games. Stefan also averages around 17:00 of TOI per game, including a whopping 2:34 of power play time.
This heavy usage of him on the man-advantage contributes to his 2.1 scoring chances, and 5.1 shots per game. He also has some hidden finishing and clutch ability as the 22-year-old converts on 19% of his chances, and has a 0.24 goals expected rate.
His puck skills has also grown as his passes look better timed while being more accurate (85% on 18 per game), smoother, and his handling routinely generates 3.8 zone entries per game. His offensive soft skill is his selling point as a pro player.
Offensively all of these key categories demonstrate just how well his shooting, and offensive instincts have translated to the ECHL in his early career.
This production, growth and likely the impending ECHL players’ strike have led the Oilers to assign the 2003-born late bloomer to Bakersfield. In three games since Stefan’s reassignment, the sniper looks to be playing a bottom-six secondary scorer role with the AHL affiliate in limited ice time.
Look for the American winger to round out his game more with a higher compete level, and stronger physicality to elevate his game to the next level.
NHL ETA: three years
NHL potential: Bottom-six scorer, but likely a top-six AHLer
Edmonton Oilers prospect updates
AHL
- The Bakersfield Condors had a solid past week, going 2–1–0 in their three games. They lost their first game of the week to the Ontario Reign 4–0 on the 17th. Then swept the Coachella Valley Firebirds in their series with a 5–4 win on the 19th, and a 3–2 win on the 20th.
- Bakersfield remains sixth in the AHL’s Pacific division with a 13–9–5 record and 31 points.
- Since being sent down, Isaac Howard remains a scoring force, and this past week was no exception setting up three plays for three assists on the 19th, and scoring a hat trick on the 20th. If the American forward can figure out his senses in all three zones he could be called up soon.
- After the Tristan Jarry injury, Connor Ingram was called up on the 18th, and ECHL goaltender Connor Ungar was called up in a corresponding move. Quinn Hutson was also reassigned to the Condors on the 20th, after Jack Roslovic was activated from the Oilers’ injury reserve.
ECHL
- The East Coast Hockey League is facing an impending players’ strike over more rest days, community engagement duties/compensation, and fairer wages. It is quite likely if the strike happens, fans see all Oilers-affiliated players reassigned to AHL teams.
- Fort Wayne had mixed results this week, going 1–0–2 in their three games. They beat the Bloomington Bisons 4–3 on the 17th, but fell 2–1 in OT to the Indy Fuel on the 19th, and 4–3 in OT to the Cincinnati Cyclones on the 20th.
- Despite these mixed results the Komets remain in first place of the ECHL’s Central Division. Fort Wayne now has a 16–6–4 record.
- With James Stefan being called up to the Condors last week, expect Oilers-affiliated forwards Brady Stonehouse and Jayden Grubbe, and goaltenders Nathaniel Day and Samuel Jonsson to be the organization’s focal point on the Komets now.
Europe
- 2025 sixth-round netminder, Daniel Salonen appeared in one game this past week, collecting a 4–2 win against HPK on the 20th. Look for Salonen to be a classic late-blooming goaltender.
- Eemil Vinni had one of his best performances of the season in a 4–1 loss to Jokerit on the 20th. He stopped 33 of 35 shots he faced, and displayed good mobility and senses throughout the game.
- 2024 sixth-rounder Albin Sundin appeared in two games this past week. The 21-year-old defender is consistently improving his play in all three zones, showcasing better defensive awareness, conservative positioning, and stable decision-making. This growth has led to more trust from his head coach, Tommy Samuelsson.
NCAA
- The NCAA is now on their holiday break.
WHL
- David Lewandowski made his debut with Team Germany for the pre-tournament games at the 2026 WJC, and he posted a pair of assists against Team Finland.
Russia
- Amur Khabarovsk defender, and Oilers 2022 sixth rounder, Nikita Yevseyev found the scoresheet in one of his two games this past week. Yevseyev played Admiral Vladivostok on the 17th, where his club won 3–1, and he posted that assist On the 21st he played Sibir Novosibirsk, which was a 4–2 loss.
- Maxim Beryozkin’s rough season continues as he appeared in just one game this past week, a 3–2 shootout win against Dinamo Minsk on the 16th. He also logged a season low 8:19 of TOI. His flaws remain his senses and skating, as he looks to be chasing plays rather than contributing to them this season.
Forwards
| Player | Position | GP | G | A | P | P/GP | PIM | Team | League |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maxim Beryozkin | RW | 37 | 3 | 12 | 15 | 0.41 | 8 | Yaroslavl Lokomitiv | KHL |
| Samuel Poulin | W/C | 26 | 9 | 13 | 22 | 0.85 | 20 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Jayden Grubbe | C/RW | 20 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 0.65 | 17 | Fort Wayne Komets | ECHL |
| Isaac Howard | LW/RW | 14 | 9 | 10 | 19 | 1.36 | 2 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Petr Hauser | RW | 27 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 0.26 | 14 | HC Vitkovice | Czechia |
| Quinn Hutson | RW/LW | 24 | 16 | 12 | 28 | 1.17 | 22 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Roby Järventie | LW/RW | 23 | 10 | 9 | 19 | 0.83 | 16 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Tommy Lafreniere | RW/C | 32 | 22 | 17 | 39 | 1.22 | 8 | Kamloops Blazers | WHL |
| David Lewandowski | LW | 28 | 8 | 24 | 32 | 1.14 | 20 | Saskatoon Blades | WHL |
| Viljami Marjala | LW/C | 27 | 7 | 17 | 24 | 0.89 | 6 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| William Nicholl | C/LW | – | – | – | – | – | – | London Knights | OHL |
| Aidan Park | C | 20 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 0.50 | 18 | University of Michigan | NCAA |
| Matvei Petrov | LW/RW | 14 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0.29 | 2 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Josh Samanski | C/LW | 27 | 5 | 17 | 22 | 0.81 | 32 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| James Stefan | RW/LW | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Brady Stonehouse | RW/LW | 26 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 0.42 | 18 | Fort Wayne Komets | ECHL |
| Dalyn Wakely | C | 17 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 0.71 | 16 | UMass-Lowell | NCAA |
Defence
| Player | Position | GP | G | A | P | P/GP | PIM | Team | League |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beau Akey | RD | 14 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0.36 | 6 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Asher Barnett | LD | 20 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0.40 | 8 | University of Michigan | NCAA |
| Bauer Berry | LD | 18 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0.22 | 10 | University of St. Thomas | NCAA |
| Damien Carfagna | LD | 21 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 0.33 | 6 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Paul Fischer | LD | 16 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 0.94 | 20 | University of Notre Dame | NCAA |
| Albin Sundin | RD | 27 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 0.22 | 10 | Timra IK | SHL |
| Nikita Yevseyev | LD | 35 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 0.29 | 24 | Amur Khabarovsk | KHL |
Goaltenders
| Player | GP | GAA | SV% | Record | SO | Team | League |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nathaniel Day | 15 | 2.53 | .895 | 9-4–2 | 2 | Fort Wayne Komets | ECHL |
| Samuel Jonsson | 9 | 2.39 | .898 | 5-2-2 | 3 | Fort Wayne Komets | ECHL |
| Connor Ungar | 1 | 2.00 | .946 | 1-0-0 | 0 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL |
| Daniel Salonen | 17 | 2.65 | .876 | 8-5-2 | 2 | Lukko | Liiga |
| Eemil Vinni | 16 | 2.92 | .886 | 8-4-4 | 1 | JoKP | Mestis |
