Edmonton Oilers sign Jason Stefan to three years contract

Despite putting up impressive numbers in the Western Hockey League over the past three seasons, this 20-year-old forward somehow slipped through the cracks in the NHL Entry Draft . Yet James Stefan finally got his wish after a stellar career with the Portland Winterhawks, and now, he's snagged himself an entry-level deal with the
Edmonton Oilers.

Jason Stefan Joins the Edmonton Oilers

Meet Jason Stefan, son of Patrik Stefan, who was the top pick in the NHL draft back in '99 for the Atlanta Thrashers. Jason's now a member of the Edmonton Oilers.


Now, let's talk numbers. This past season was definitely his best, but don't think he wasn't a name before that. In his first couple of seasons in the WHL, he still put up some solid numbers—like 34 goals and 79 points in 68 games in his first season, and 22 goals and 64 points in 64 games in his second. This year he has 48 goals and 99 points in 64 games.

Jason Stefan is following in the footsteps of his dad, Patrik Stefan. Now, his father's NHL career was a rollercoaster ride. His best season was with the Atlanta Thrashers in 2002-03, scoring 14 goals and 41 points. However, he's infamous for one of the worst missed empty-net goals in NHL history. With the Dallas Stars up 5-4 late in a game against the Edmonton Oilers, Stefan stole the puck and had a clear shot at the empty net, and... whiffed it. The Oilers' Ales Hemsky swooped in and tied the game with just seconds left. Dallas won in the shootout but that standings point moving them below the Chicago Blackhawks in the Patrick Kane draft. Imagine Conor Mcdavid, Leon Draisaitl and him?

Yet back to the present. Jason Stefan isn't the only one making waves for the Oilers. They also snagged goalie Connor Ungar, who's been tearing it up for the Brock Badgers. He had a 26-6-0, with an .932 save percentage, and a 2.15 goals against average. Even though he went undrafted, he's proving himself as a goalie with potential . Looks like the Oilers are eyeing some hidden gems to beef up their roster for the future, while still keeping an eye on the playoffs this season. It's a smart move, and one that is low-risk high reward from Ken Holland as he looks to deepen the Edmonton farm system and help the Bakersfield Condors (AHL) Calder Cup chances.