Contemporary off the 2024 NHL Draft at Sphere in Las Vegas, the place they chose London Knights ahead Sam O’Reilly with the thirty second general decide, the Edmonton Oilers held their annual Growth Camp final week, bringing 17 prospects collectively for 3 days within the Alberta capital.
Based mostly out of Rogers Place, the camp was carried out fully off-ice and included medicals, health testing, coaching periods and team-building actions.
Broad Vary of Prospects
The 17 prospects included 10 forwards, 4 defencemen and three goaltenders. The youngest, William Nicholl, simply turned 18 on the finish of Might, whereas the oldest, Tomas Mazuka, turns 24 in September.
| Participant | Place | Acquired | 2023-24 Staff |
| Beau Akey | D | Drafted 56th general in 2023 | Barrie Colts (OHL) |
| Bauer Berry | D | Drafted 218th general in 2024 | Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) |
| Connor Clattenburg | F | Drafted 160th general in 2024 | Flint Firebirds (OHL) |
| Matt Copponi | F | Drafted 216th general in 2023 | Merrimack School (NCAA) |
| Nathaniel Day | G | Drafted 184th general in 2023 | Flint Firebirds (OHL) |
| Samuel Jonsson | G | Drafted 158th general in 2022 | Bofors IK (Sweden) |
| Shane Lachance | F | Drafted 186th general in 2021 | Boston College (NCAA) |
| Tomas Mazuka | F | Drafted 162nd general in 2019 | St. Lawrence College (NCAA) |
| Luca Munzenberger | D | Drafted 90th general in 2021 | College of Vermont (NCAA) |
| William Nicholl | F | Drafted 196th general in 2024 | London Knights (OHL) |
| Joel Maatta | F | Drafted 222nd general in 2022 | College of Vermont (NCAA) |
| Sam O’Reilly | F | Drafted 32nd general in 2024 | London Knights (OHL) |
| James Stefan | F | Signed as free agent in 2024 | Portland Winterhawks (WHL) |
| Brady Stonehouse | F | Signed as free agent in 2023 | Ottawa 67’s (OHL) |
| Albin Sundin | D | Drafted 183rd general in 2024 | Vastra Frolunda (Sweden) |
| Connor Ungar | G | Signed as free agent in 2024 | Brock College (U Sports activities) |
| Dalyn Wakely | F | Drafted 192nd general in 2024 | North Bay Battalion (OHL) |
Almost half of the prospects spent final season within the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), with seven enjoying within the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and one within the Western Hockey League (WHL). Bauer Berry, who was in the USA Hockey League (USHL) final season, was additionally in attendance. One other 5 of the prospects performed within the NCAA and one performed U Sports activities hockey in 2023-24, whereas two spent final season in Sweden.
Six of the seven gamers chosen by Edmonton within the 2024 NHL Draft final month had been on the camp; solely Finnish netminder Eemil Vinni, the 64th general decide, was absent. All three members of Edmonton’s 2023 Draft class had been in attendance. The prospect listing additional included two gamers every from the 2021 and 2022 Draft lessons, in addition to 2019 draft decide Mazuka. Three of the camp attendees weren’t drafted, however signed by Edmonton as skilled free brokers inside the final 12 months.
Oilers Hold Off the Ice
Breaking from each their very own custom and the norm for many NHL groups, the Oilers determined to not have any on-ice actions throughout their 2024 Growth Camp. As a substitute, there was an emphasis on the prospects bonding collectively away from the rink, enjoying pickleball sooner or later and {golfing} the following.
“I really like pickleball and I really like golf, I play quite a lot of each in the summertime, so it’s quite a lot of enjoyable,” stated California native James Stefan, a ahead from the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks who signed a three-year entry-level contract (ELC) with the Oilers in March. “(You get to) have enjoyable with the opposite guys, take a break from every part, all of the hockey facet of every part, and simply have some enjoyable.”
The prospects additionally had a session with George Mumford, a famend sports activities psychologist and psychological expertise coach. Mumford labored with the Oilers all through the 2023-24 NHL season and 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and has been credited with serving to Connor McDavid, Stuart Skinner and their teammates overcome many challenges to get all the way in which to Recreation 7 of the championship sequence.
Oilers Downsize Camp From Earlier Years
Edmonton’s 2024 Growth Camp was considerably smaller than final 12 months, when camp spanned 4 days and comprised 29 gamers (17 forwards, eight blueliners, and 4 goalies).
“I like how we’re doing it this 12 months,” stated ahead Shane Lachance, who was attending his third Growth Camp since being drafted by the Oilers in 2021. “It’s good that it’s a bit of little bit of a smaller group. You’re in a position to discuss to extra individuals, get to know extra individuals, and it’s simply, you are feeling extra comfy.”
First Spherical Decide Will get First Take a look at Rogers Place
Lower than per week after listening to the Oilers name his title with the ultimate decide of the primary spherical, O’Reilly visited Rogers Place for the primary time.
Associated: 5 Issues to Know About Oilers’ First-Spherical Draft Decide Sam O’Reilly
“Individuals inform you how wonderful it’s, however I can inform you seeing it in particular person, it’s a unique degree,” stated O’Reilly, who helped the Knights win the OHL championship this spring. “It’s onerous to explain how it’s as a result of it’s important to see it first particular person, however its fairly unreal the way it’s constructed right here, the room and the power and all that. So it’s simply unreal, that’s how I prefer to put it.”
O’Reilly and others will return to Edmonton in September for the crew’s 2024 Rookie Camp, which takes place forward of Oilers’ most important camp.
