The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed a key college prospect.
Forward Owen Michaels inked a two-year contract extension on Monday. He was a pending Restricted Free Agent. The AAV is $900k. Michaels had originally signed a one-year ELC at the tail end of the 2026 season. Whether he remains an RFA or becomes a Group 6 UFA at the end of this deal it still to be determined. In Year 1, the deal pays him a reduced $225K in the minors. However, the contract converts into a one-way agreement in Year 2.
Born in Detroit, the right-shot twenty-four-year-old was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award in 2024-25 and was also NCAA Tournament MVP. Michaels scored the winning goal in double-OT against Denver to send the Broncos to the championship game.
The 6’2, 185 LB Michaels went 33-33-66 in 119 games for Western Michigan over a three-year stint. In 2025-26 he was 13-13-26 in 39 GP and was +10.
He was also team captain in his final season. But he was never drafted.
The development side of Michael’s career will be critical. Right-shot centers are often much-sought-after. And it is not an organizational strength of the Oilers.
Michaels is ticketed for the Bakersfield Condors in 2026-27.
Colton Dach is the Oilers last remaining pending RFA.
More to come…
This article is not AI generated.
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