Condors prospect update: Oilers prospect Isaac Howard impresses in AHL debut

After being sent down on Friday by the Edmonton Oilers to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, rookie Isaac Howard was given no rest.

He made his AHL debut on Saturday night, lining up on the first line alongside fellow Oilers prospects Josh Samanski and Quinn Hutson.

He quickly acclimatized to his new team, potting two assists on the Condors’ first two goals in the game. His new team faced the Seattle Kraken AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, winning 6-3 off of strong performances from multiple Oilers prospects.

This game gives a great landing spot to check in on how the rest of the Condors and some of the Oilers prospects are performing.

The club is off to a 6-5-3 start this season and although that is not a great record, placing the team 22nd across the entire AHL, there are positives to take away. Multiple Oilers prospects have been able to put together strong performances so far this year.

Young Condors are impressing

Viljami Marjala

When signing a high scoring player form a European professional league, it is always hard to gauge exactly how their game with translate to the North American pro game. Especially when that player is 22 year old Viljami Marjala, a former fifth round selection by the Buffalo Sabres whose rights they allowed to expire.

However, he has been a major driver of offence for the Condors, scoring two goals and 11 assists for 13 points in 14 games played so far. He is a highly skilled player and combining his strong showing during the Oilers training camp and now in the AHL, he is making himself be noticed. If he can continue to rack up points, he may force himself into a call-up situation should the opportunity arise in the NHL.

Quinn Hutson

Howard's linemate during Saturday night's contest, Hutson was a prolific scorer at the NCAA level and has strong hockey bloodlines. His brother Lane was the NHL's 2025 Calder Trophy winner for rookie of the year and his other brother Cole was a high second round selection by the Washington Capitals in 2024.

Quinn himself was a highly touted college free agent that chose the Oilers, having played a cup of coffee with the team at the end of last season. He was also chosen as the Oilers' representative at the 2025 NHLPA Rookie Showcase. This year he has shown his dual-threat scoring ability potting six goals and six assists for 12 points in 14 contests. He too, seems poised to be a call-up option for the Oilers this season with the possibility to compete for a spot next fall.

Roby Jarventie

Speaking of highly touted, Roby Jarventie was hoping to bounce back this season after multiple years plagued by injury and so far, so good. He was acquired from the Ottawa Senators in 2024 and spent all but two games last season sidelined with a knee injury, requiring surgery.

This year he is at a point-per-game pace scoring six goals and four assists for 10 points in as many games. When he was acquired, there was hope he might be able to become an NHL player in the near future and if he can stay healthy and play at this level, this could be very possible still.