Former first-overall pick's son shows promise for the Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers have made most of their headway over the past year for their massive comeback battle into the playoffs, and near success in taking down the Florida Panthers for the Stanley Cup. As a result, the team got to make a move under the radar. One of these happened in March when the team signed Portland Winterhawks forward James Stefan to a three-year entry-level contract.

James Stefan has five WHL seasons and one season with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL. He is just coming off his most impressive year with the Portland Winterhawks year, having scored 50 goals and recording 101 points. Now that he is 21, he is no longer eligible for the WHL, meaning he will likely be on the roster for Edmonton's AHL affiliate team, the Bakersfield Condors.

James Stefan is also the son of a former first-overall pick. This would be the Atlanta Thrasher's 1999 opening pick, Patrik Stefan. Though he started with a lot of promise, he only played seven years in the NHL, never recording more than 34 points in a single season. With 188 points in 455 career games, he is most known for a comical mistake on an empty-net goal.

Though having a family NHL history can prove helpful for players in the league as is the case with Brad and Matthew Tkachuk, James Stefan will likely have a bit to prove when he first steps on the ice in the NHL. Hopefully, he can outlast and outperform his father playing with the Edmonton Oilers.

Source: Oilers Daily
Edmonton Oilers have interesting prospect in son of former first overall pick