Starting right when he was drafted in the seventh round of the 2024 NHL Draft, William Nicholl had ‘late-round gem’ written all over him. After an outstanding draft-plus-one year with the champion London Knights, and an injury limited 2025–26 season that has had him play just 32 games to date, he has now officially taken the next step towards his professional career.
On Wednesday morning, the Edmonton Oilers announced that Nicholl had signed a three-year, entry-level contract beginning in 2026–27.
Nicholl, now 19, has spent his OHL career entirely with the London Knights. He has progressively gotten better, notching a career high 22 goals and 57 points in the 2024–25 season. Nicholl has been a part of two OHL championship-winning Knights teams, winning back-to-back in 2023–24 and 2024–25, as well as one Memorial Cup Title in 2025.
What is next for William Nicholl
Nicholl has shown through his junior career that he is an incredibly versatile player. He has been a fixture in all parts of the lineup, top to bottom and jumps between centre and wing regularly.
His pace of play and drive project him to be among incredible bottom-six forward who could slot in as a top-six forward when needed, similar to what the Oilers have in Kasperi Kapanen right now. He is the exact type of prospect that Edmonton has been targeting in recent years, valuing work ethic and pace of play.
That work ethic and drive are what will likely propel him upwards in the depth chart in the coming years. Expect Nicholl to challenge for a spot in training camp as he looks to transition up to the professional game. His likely placement for next season will be with the Bakersfield Condors, where he can join an exciting and fast-paced group of younger players making up the core of the Oilers’ AHL affiliate.
