Despite the Oilers season being over for a while, the front office has remained busy with a flurry of promotions from within hockey operations. The organization sees a new revamped front office with the additions or promotion of three new assistant general managers, a new vice president, and directors.
Lets take a look at all the new faces in new roles:
Promotions for the Edmonton Oilers
- Michael Parkatti- Vice President Analytics and Technology
Parkatti is promoted from the role of Senior Analytics staff member in the previous seasons. Was a prior analytics consultant for the Oilers from 2013-2015.
- Kirt Hill – Assistant GM, Player Procurement
Hill is promoted from his role as General Manager and President of Hockey Operations with the Edmonton Oil Kings, a post he’s held since the 2018-2019 season. During that span, the Oil Kings won the WHL championship in the 2021-2022 season and had two other Eastern Conference quarterfinal appearances.
- Kalle Larsson – Assistant GM, Player Development and Innovation
Larsson is promoted from the role of senior director of player development, where Larsson has served since the 2023-2024 season. The 44-year-old Swede also has front-office experience as a former general manager of the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints.
- Toby Salmelainen – Assistant GM, European Operations
Salmelainen is a former European pro with prior experience as a Team Manager with HIFK in the Finnish Liiga. The 41-year-old Finn previously served as the Oilers primary European Development coach for the past two seasons. He joins the Oilers newer department, which is entirely responsible for amateur/pro European scouting and recruitment. Toby is the brother of former Oilers draft pick Tony Salmelainen, who played 23 games with Edmonton in 2003–04.
- Andreas Karlson – Director of Player Development
Karlson knows junior hockey, as the 50-year-old has been a head coach at the J20 level in Sweden, an assistant coach at the OHL, and USports levels. Most recently, Karlson has been a development coach with the Oilers since the 2024-2025 season. His new role has him creating development plans for all drafted and signed prospects in the AHL, CHL, NCAA, and Europe.
- Justin Mahe – Director Hockey Operations, and Player Experience
Justin Mahe has worked with the Oilers for the past 17 years and jumps into the role of Director of Hockey Operations after serving as an analyst for the past 6 seasons.
Promotions for the Edmonton Oil Kings
- Michael Chan – President, GM, and Alternate Govenor
- Jamie Jackson – Director of Scouting
What does this mean for the Oilers?
Entering the 2026-2027 season, the Oilers have sought to increase their efficiency, maximize prospect development, and provide greater coaching insight. All of the new promotions are examples of this. The Oilers are poised to compete for the Stanley Cup again this upcoming season, and with more roster tweaks be it on the prospect development side or European scouting side the Alberta team could be in an even better position.
How do you feel about the promotions? Let us know in the comments below.
