NHL Prospect Watch – Edmonton Oilers

In the lead-up to the 2023-24 NHL season, we’re taking a look at the current and former WHL talent in each NHL Club’s prospect pool. In this 32-part series, we’ll highlight the WHL players signed to an NHL contract or recently drafted, 25 years of age or younger with 50 or fewer NHL games played. Join us for a brand-new season of NHL Prospect Watch!

We continue with the prospect pool of the Edmonton Oilers.

Jake Chiasson
Forward Jake Chiasson signed an entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers in March after being selected by the Club in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL Draft. Chiasson, who hails from Abbotsford, B.C., split the 2022-23 campaign between the Brandon Wheat Kings and Saskatoon Blades, totalling 20 goals and 58 points between the two Clubs during the 2022-23 regular season. With Brandon, Chiasson appeared in 37 games before being traded to Saskatoon ahead of the 2023 WHL Trade Deadline. As a Blade, the 20-year-old collected 30 points (10G-20A) in 33 games, adding nine more points as the Blades reached the Eastern Conference Championship. Overall, Chiasson has earned 111 points from his 174 career regular season contests in the WHL since being selected by the Wheat Kings in the first round of the 2018 WHL Draft.

JAKE CHIASSON WINS IT IN WHOA-VERTIME FOR THE BLADES!@BladesHockey | @EdmontonOilers#WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingTheFuture pic.twitter.com/4o6K33LdxW

— The WHL (@TheWHL) April 6, 2023

Jayden Grubbe
Red Deer Rebels captain Jayden Grubbe signed an entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers this past spring after having his NHL rights traded by the New York Rangers. Originally selected by the Rangers in the third round of the 2021 NHL Draft, Grubbe enjoyed a career year in 2022-23, his third season as Red Deer’s captain. The Calgarian totalled 67 points (18G-49A) from his 64 regular season outings, adding 16 points in the Rebels’ two-round foray into the 2023 WHL Playoffs. His 49 assists during the regular season more than doubled his previous personal best with Red Deer, while his 67 points in 2022-23 were 32 more than he accrued during the 2021-22 campaign. Grubbe was named to the WHL Central Division Second All-Star Team, and holds career totals of 39 goals and 134 points from his 194 regular season games as a Rebel.

"It seems like there’s some room for some young guys to step in."

After being traded to the #Oilers in May, Jayden Grubbe shares his thoughts on his first Development Camp in Edmonton. @FordCanada | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/vmPzr49HK3

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) July 4, 2023

James Hamblin
Former Medicine Hat Tigers sniper James Hamblin made his NHL debut with the Edmonton Oilers in 2022-23, appearing in 10 regular season games with the NHL Club in his third full campaign of professional hockey. Hamblin, who calls Edmonton home, put up 28 points (10G-18A) during the 2022-23 AHL regular season with the Bakersfield Condors, chipping in with one goal in two post-season contests this past spring. Hamblin, a three-year Tigers captain, scored 20 or more goals in all but one of his five WHL seasons in Medicine Hat, topping out at 36 goals and 92 points during the 2019-20 campaign. During that season, he was named to the WHL Eastern Conference First All-Star Team. Hamblin begins his fourth pro season with 167 AHL regular season and playoff games under his belt, during which he has collected 82 points.

"It was just a super special day overall."

James Hamblin shares his perspective on his @NHL debut. pic.twitter.com/WOnKw6wZLh

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) November 29, 2022

Max Wanner
A seventh-round pick by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2021 NHL Draft, defenceman Max Wanner signed an entry-level contract with the NHL Club in September of 2022. Wanner, who hails from Estevan, Sask., enjoyed career-best numbers with the Moose Jaw Warriors in 2022-23, recording 30 points (8G-22A) and a +23 rating from his 44 regular season appearances. The 20-year-old added seven points during the playoffs as Moose Jaw reached the Second Round for the second consecutive spring. In 121 career WHL regular season contests, all with the Warriors, Wanner has scored 14 goals, collecting 58 career points from the Moose Jaw blueline.

"You come in with the mindset to play the best hockey you can."#Oilers 2021 seventh-round pick Max Wanner on how he’s feeling ahead of Rookie Camp this week. @Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/aieK7v0TDm

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 13, 2023