James Stefan signs NHL contract with Edmonton Oilers
Portland, Ore. –The Portland Winterhawks Hockey Club is proud to announce today that forward James Stefan has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League.
The Laguna Beach, Calif. native put pen to paper with the Oilers as a free agent this week after playing five seasons in the Western Hockey League. Before beginning his professional career, Stefan will remain with the Winterhawks through the remainder of the 2023-24 season and will participate in the 2024 WHL Playoffs.
James Stefan. He's him. 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/SrXmYk3x4R
— Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) March 3, 2024
Stefan, 20, is enjoying an impressive final season with Portland, leading the team with 48 goals in 64 games and amassing a career-best 99 points thus far. His 48 goals rank ninth in the Canadian Hockey League this season and he became the 21st Winterhawk all-time to surpass 250 career WHL points earlier this month. Stefan is also tied for the franchise lead with four overtime-winning goals.
The 6-foot-0, 185-pound winger has dominated during his time in Portland and has produced at over a point-per-game pace. His 254 career points are the third-most in Winterhawks history among U.S.-born skaters. The former Little Caesar’s AAA standout originally signed with Portland in November 2018 following his first Winterhawks Neely Cup training camp and broke into the league as a 16-year-old during the 2019-20 season.
Stefan becomes the fourth active Winterhawk with a signed NHL contract, joining Marek Alscher (FLA), Nate Danielson (DET) and Josh Davies (FLA).
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Tickets for the Winterhawks 2024 WHL Playoffs run are on sale NOW! Click here to purchase single-game tickets (more games will be added as they are announced/needed), or pick up a “Chase The Dream” Playoff Pass to secure your seat at EVERY potential home playoff game for just $175! Be there as your hometown Hawks chase a fourth WHL Championship!
