September 13, 2023 by Ryan Lotsberg

The Edmonton Oilers announced details for the upcoming Young Stars Classic on Tuesday. The event is an annual showcase for young prospects of the Oilers, Calgary Flames, Winnipeg Jets, and Vancouver Canucks. The teams play a three-game round robin tournament. This year’s event will be held from September 15-18 in Penticton.

The group representing the Oilers will be headlined by 2021 first round pick Xavier Bourgault, who is entering his second professional season. Carter Savoie, Ty Tullio, and Carl Berglund are the only other players that played for the Bakersfield Condors last season that will be a part of this event. It should be noted that Berglund only got six games with the Condors. Likely first year professionals Matvei Petrov, Maximus Wanner, Jayden Grubbe, and Jake Chiasson will also be on this team. 2023 Oiler draftees Beau Akey and Nathan Day will also be in Penticton.

This roster is admittedly lackluster. Only eight of the 25 players invited to this event are Oilers draft picks. Berglund was signed as a free agent, and Grubbe was acquired via trade earlier this summer. The other fifteen players on this roster are camp invites.

As an Oilers fan, I’m most excited to see what Bourgault can do in this tournament. I thought he was great on a line with Dylan Holloway at least year’s event. As one of three 2021 first round picks in this tournament, he should be a force for the Oilers.

I’m also really excited to see what Petrov can do in this tournament. He wasn’t all that noticeable in last year’s event, but he had another big year in the OHL with 93 points in 65 games. He also looked great in this summer’s development camp. He’s a noted sniper that added an element of playmaking last season.

Akey is going to be really interesting to watch this weekend as well. The 2023 second round pick of the Oilers is a smooth skating right-handed offensive defenceman. He will look to build upon his 47 points in 66 games with the Barrie Colts this season.

The Flames roster will be highlighted by 2021 first rounder Matt Coronato. The Harvard product did get into one NHL game for the Flames last season, and he’ll be looking to earn his way onto the Flames roster this season. 2023 first rounder Samuel Honzek will be another intriguing Flames prospect to keep an eye on this weekend.

Related: 3 Stars: Oilers Rookies defeat Flames Rookies 4-1

Seven players from last year’s team will return to this tournament for the Canucks. Aatu Raty was acquired in the Bo Horvat trade. He’s an important prospect for the Canucks, and he’ll be a player worth watching this weekend. 2021 second rounder Danila Klimovich stood out at last year’s tournament and had a decent sophomore season in the AHL with 29 points in 67 games last year. 

Related: 3 Stars: Oilers Rookies Defeat Canucks Rookies 5-2

The Jets will be sending their three most recent first round picks to this tournament. Chaz Lucius, Brad Lambert, and Colby Barlow will provide plenty of excitement for Jets fans this weekend. Lucius and Lambert are high flying skill guys, and Barlow brings more of an all-around competitive game. Former Edmonton Oil King Simon Kubicek will be there as well. The defenceman was a second pairing defenceman on the 2022 WHL Championship team.

Related: 3 Stars: Oilers Rookies Defeat Jets Rookies 3-2

The Oilers will play the Jets on Friday at 5 pm MST, the Flames on Saturday at 8:30 pm MST, and the Canucks on Monday at 3:30 pm MST. The games will be streamed on Oilers Plus. The team said that the event can be viewed for free with a free three-day trial of Oilers Plus. They’re also offering a special discount code (ROOKIE23) that will allow fans to purchase a full year of access to Oilers Plus for $23.99. The code will be active through Monday, September 18.

The Young Stars Classic is always a great way to wet your whistle for Oilers hockey right before training camp starts. It’s always fun to get a chance to view prospects that you wouldn’t ordinarily get to see all that often. This version of the Oielrs Rookies doesn’t appear to be strong, but the results really don’t matter in this tournament. It’s a fun showcase for the fans and for the players.