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This just in, news that the Edmonton Oilers have signed James Stefan, 20, the son of former first overall NHL draft pick Patrick Stefan. Stefan has signed a three-year entry level deal.

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More to come…

1. Stefan’s career has developed slowly. In February 2022, he was quoted as saying: “It’s definitely been a journey. Coming into the WHL as a 16-year-old, I didn’t really perform like I wanted to. I felt like I had a bit of an off year and it was kind of a learning curve, and it was weird when COVID-19 hit, then I went over to Lincoln. It was definitely a little weird, but I enjoyed Lincoln, it was fun. I felt like I got a little bit of my touch back and it was a good experience, then I just brought that confidence back to Portland this season.”

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2. For the 2022 draft, he was named as one of the Top 10 undrafted prospects out of the Western Hockey League by Adam Kierszenblat of the Hockey Writers: “The 18-year-old led the Portland Winterhawks in scoring this season with 34 goals and finished second on the team with 79 points in 68 games. He also added six points in 11 games during Portland’s postseason run. Stefan is an offensive weapon that can burn teams with his shot and passing. He can find teammates behind the defence and string passes to them allowing for breakaways and odd-man rushes. Although not the strongest skater, he understands where he needs to be in the offensive zone to make plays and find ways to get open. He may be a late bloomer and should be snagged as a late pick in the draft.”

3. Stefan was not taken in the 2022 or 2023 drafts.

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