The Edmonton Oilers have a number of players currently developing across the various campuses in the NCAA. This is something that was bound to become more common, especially after the league began allowing Canadian major junior players to go to school down south.
It was something that was banned until last season, paving the way for an enormous wave of Canadian Hockey League (CHL) players to continue their careers at the collegiate level. It is something that is expected to drastically impact the prospect landscape in many ways, some of which have yet to be realized.
As a result of these changes, the Oilers currently have five prospects currently in the NCAA as the season is ready to wrap up over the next few weeks. General manager Stan Bowman may also sign NCAA free agents soon, making the league even more intriguing to Oilers fans.
Paul Fischer
The Oilers acquired Paul Fischer from the St. Louis Blues as a piece of the return for their successful offerhseet of Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg. Fischer was drafted in the fifth round by the Blues in 2023, joining the University of Notre Dame that fall and has taken steps every year since. This year, in 32 games for the Fighting Irish he has six goals and 17 assists for 23 points, already reaching career highs in goals and points.
Fischer has a sturdy frame at 6'0 and 203lbs and he plays a strong two-way game with adept skills in his own end and a growing offensive game. He has quickly proven to be one of the Oilers' most underrated prospects with intriguing skills all over the ice, flashing good hockey sense and abilities with and without the puck.
It is unclear if the 21 year old turns pro this season but it seems most likely that he will finish out his Senior year with Notre Dame before signing his entry-level contract. That decision will likely start to become more obvious in the coming weeks and we will have an answer soon.
Bauer Berry
The Oilers seventh round selection in the 2024 NHL draft, Bauer Berry is another NCAA defenceman, finishing off his Freshman year with the University of St. Thomas. He is a big-bodied bruising defenceman at 6'4 218lbs with a developing offensive game having scored three goals and nine assists for 12 points in 35 games this year.
He has an interesting skillset, showing real potential as a player capable of being more than a shutdown defenceman. He has competent skill as a puck retriever and at breaking the puck out with some real mobility. At 20 years old, he is likely to be a project player, taking a few years to develop at the NCAA level before turning pro.
Dalyn Wakely
Another college Freshman in the Oilers pool, Dalyn Wakely is a forechecking forward who broke out as a double overager, causing him to be drafted by the Oilers in the sixth round in 2024 after posting 39 goals and 65 points for 104 points with the North Bay Battalion. He is a player who benefitted from the expanded NCAA eligibility rules, allowing him to join Umass-Lowell this season.
Through 34 games so far this season, the 22 year old has scored seven goals and 12 assists for 19 points. He provides value outside of just his point scoring and as with most sixth rounders, will continue to develop on a long term track.
Aidan Park
The Oilers seventh round pick at the 2025 draft, Aidan Park is another Freshman playing with the University of Michigan. The California raised forward plays the game with speed and power and has found himself carving out a consistent spot in the lineup as a role player largely because of his sound two-way game.
In 34 games, he has scored eight goals with seven assists for 15 points playing primarily bottom-six minutes for the Wolverines. At 20 years old, there is a long runway for the second-last pick in the draft and he will be afforded the time necessary to develop at the NCAA level for the next few years.
Asher Barnett
The final prospect is another Freshman for the Michigan Wolverines, defenceman Asher Barnett. Originally drafted in the fifth round last June, he has a stout build at 6'1 and 201lbs with a lot of projectable traits as a modern defenceman. Through 34 games with the Wolverines, Barnett has scored five goals and 12 assists for 17 points in his first NCAA season. He was also selected to represent Team USA at the World Juniors this season as they failed to medal.
Barnett is a strong and mobile defender who provides a lot of value up and down the ice as a two-way defenceman. He can defend using his body, carry the puck in transition and help to push the play in a positive direction. The 18 year old is one of the Oilers most intriguing prospects who profiles very similar to fellow NCAA blueliner and Oilers prospect, Paul Fischer.
He has plenty of time to develop and is expected to continue to do so for the next few years with a top notch program in Michigan. It is likely that he is a full four-year college player, meaning he will finish out his Senior year before turning pro at 22 years old.
Many of these prospects have joined the Oilers since current general manager Stan Bowman took over, with plenty of them showing legitimately projectable traits with flashes of higher potential. This appears to be the Oilers playbook moving forward when drafting prospects, something that could pay off well for a team that will need players to fill out their depth going forward.