This in from Tony Brar of Edmonton Oilers TV, news that for tonight’s rookie game against the Calgary Flames prospects Edmonton has put together it’s two hot shot rookie wingers on the same line.

Ike Howard and Matt Savoie are on the top line with big German import Josh Samanski.

EDM Rookies lineup vs. CGY Rookies:

Howard – Samanski – Savoie
Pitlick – Marjala – Hutson
Clattenburg – Copponi – Lafreniere
Stonehouse – Lewandowski – Stefan

Extra: O’Neill

Carfagna – Akey
Krebs – Von Richter
Woodall – Adam

Extra: Davidson

Jonsson
Day

rookie camp roster 2025

rookie camp roster 2025

My take

1. This is a big prospect game for the Oilers, with top prospects like Howard (second overall in Cult of Hockey prospect rankings), Samanski (5th), Samuel Jonsson (7th), Viljami Marjala (12th), Tommy Lafreniere (14th) and David Lewandowski (15th) playing their first exhibition games for the Oilers. This is their chance to make a strong first impression.

2. The defensive group will be led by Edmonton’s second round pick in the 2003 draft Beau Akey, who has struggled with injury. Akey had 32 points in 52 games in the Ontario Hockey League last winter, which is in the same as some of the unknown puck movers brought in for this camp and playing tonight. D-man Parker Von Richter, who is bigger than Akey and a year younger, had 30 points in 62 games last season in the OHL. Carson Woodall, the same size as Akey but a year younger, had 38 points in 66 games last year in the OHL.

3. Damien Carfagna, who looked smooth and smart at the Oilers development camp, is two years older than Akey but a similar size. He had 28 points in 38 game for Ohio State last year. I expect Carfagna to shine int his game, along with Howard and Savoie. We’ll see who else steps up.

At the Cult of Hockey

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Cult of Hockey prospect series 2025

Forwards: Matt Savoie (1st) Ike Howard (2nd), Maxim Berezkin (3rd), Josh Samanski (5th), Quinn Hutson (6th), William Nicholl (9th), Roby Jarventie (11th), Viljami Marjala (12th), Connor Clattenburg (13th), Tommy Lafreniere (14th). David Lewandowski (15th)

Dmen: Alec Regula (4th) Beau Akey (7th-tie) Atro Leppanen (10th) Paul Fischer (16th), Nikita Yevseyev (18th), Asher Barnett (19th)

Goalies: Samuel Jonsson (7th-tie), Nathaniel Day (17th), Eemil Vinni (20th)