July 8, 2023 by Spencer Pomoty

Building relationships is always the main focus at the Edmonton Oilers Development Camp, so no one was graded by the organization this week. Still, I made my own observations on the prospects in attendance in the areas where they have made progress, as well as where they can improve.

The games were played at 3-on-3 for 10 minutes and the ice was cut into a third using only the blueline to the end boards. Additionally, goalies Zachary Bowen (camp invite), Nathan Day, and Samuel Jonsson all rotated nets for each game.

Here were the rosters for the four teams:

Team Gretzky

Xavier Bourgault was the only first-round pick at Oilers Development Camp this year. His edge work remains one of his strongest assets. He can weave around defenders, evade checks with them and it helps him in small area situations. While he’s still creative with the puck, I was hoping for a bit more from Bourgault, but he had a good stretch of games.

Matt Copponi was the Oilers seventh-round selection this year, and he showed off great skating ability with an excellent first two steps. The 20-year-old also showed off some flashes off good playmaking ability, stuck on the perimeter, but he found ways to get the puck to the middle with some of his passes.

Noel Hoefenmeyer was originally selected by the Arizona Coyotes in the fourth-round in 2017, and he showed well during the scrimmages. He displays excellent passing ability and shows some instances of real deception. But ever since his days with the Ottawa 67’s, skating has been his issue. I think he’ll provide some great depth for the Bakersfield Condors this season and help them get some offence running from the backend.

Carl Berglund has skating issues but has a fine ability to keep pressure on his backside. I like his commitment to the defensive side. The former UMass-Lowell captain will provide some bottom-six depth for Bakersfield in my eyes. As for Verreault and Van Mulligan, they didn’t show well in the scrimmages.

Team Messier

This squad featured two of the newest Oilers prospects. Beau Akey, who was selected 56th overall in the 2023 draft, comes as advertised. He’s a smooth-skating defender who can carry the puck up ice. His ability to transition from forwards to backwards, along with his stops and starts really stood out to me. The 18-year-old loves getting open for a shot, and he will create his own angles with drag moves and fakes. I’m excited to see how he grows his game over the next couple of years.

Jayden Grubbe was acquired from the New York Rangers in a trade where Edmonton sent their fifth-round pick in 2023 the other way. I liked of what I saw from Grubbe in 2020-211, but due to injury he was limited to five games. The former third-round pick in 2020 showed off some of his strong defensive game sticking to checks and being hard to play against. With the puck he slows the game down and looks for areas to pass it to, he does most of his offensive work down low. The Calgary native will provide the Condors with a right-handed center this year.

Carter Savoie is always fun to watch. The St. Albert product can make some incredible plays with the puck and his shot is excellent. He was finding teammates sticks, and constantly looking for ways to break down his defender. His skating is still a concern for me, though. His edges are fine, he can hold pressure on his back, but he doesn’t have a pull away gear. A healthy Savoie has the potential to be an impact player for the Condors in his second AHL season.

As for Noah Van Vliet, Preston Lounsbury, and Jake Sloan, they were just average camp invites.

Team Lowe

Tyler Tullio was the standout performer for Team Lowe. I loved what the tenacious winger brought to the game during his draft year in 2020, and I was thrilled when the Oilers selected him in the fourth-round. He keeps impressing me, his shot is accurate and comes off the stick lightning quick. I also noticed a bit more of a playmaking ability this year during the mini tournament. He was more adamant at getting to the middle of the ice. His skating will never be elite, but the work ethic will cover up some flaws. I’m excited to see his continued progression tin his sophomore pro season.

Jake Chiasson showed alright during the skate. He used his shot a ton and was relentless in pursuit of the puck, though he might have some trouble adjusting to the speed of the pro game. Still, he will give Bakersfield some two-way depth on the wing next year.

Max Wanner is continuing to grow as a player, and his confidence is shining through. The Estevan, Saskatchewan native now gets involved offensively a ton, and I started noticing it this year with the Moose Jaw Wariors, so I don’t think its due to the 3-on-3 environment. He’s another exciting prospect to follow.

Joel Maatta played a power game and prefers to be down low. Will Zapernick played alright for a camp invite, making some plays and stop ups with the puck. As for Mike Brown, he was just another camp invite in my eyes, with nothing eye popping.

Team Kurri

Team Kurri won the 2023 Bill Moores Cup, with Matvey Petrov leading the way offensively. The Russian winger showed a real offensive flare during the games. His wrist looks even deadlier than last year. The power and accuracy was always there, but now he’s working to create lanes with fakes, drags, and shooting under sticks. In addition, his playmaking has taken a huge step since being selected in the sixth-round in 2021. He’s actively looking to involve his teammates on plays now. If he can blend his hands with his skating, he will continue to raise his value in my books. He’s the player I’m most excited to see in a pro setting.

The most intriguing player for me on the day was Tomas Mazura. I liked him pre-pandemic during another development camp, and since then he hasn’t been able to play due to injuries and/or complications from 2020-2022. He only played in 12 games during that span, and finally got back to playing consistently with 28 games last season. At 6-foot-4, his size, skating, and vision make him an intriguing prospect for the Oilers. He showed great edge work, using them to stop up and change directions. But I was impressed with how he could set up plays or find and create passing lanes. His work ethic off puck was also very noticeable, he can make the odd move on a player shaking them off with his deceptively quick feet and then uses his size to go by. I would like to see him find the middle of the ice more, but he will be 23 in September, and it makes me wonder how much more room does he have to grow? I think this year will be massive for his development and whether the Oilers will sign him or not, I will have my eye on his progress this year.

Shane Lachance showed well, with his main asset being his shot. It’s accurate, heavy, and he can release it quick. I liked his game around the net, showing some finishing ability and looking for sticks from behind the net.