The Edmonton Oilers are making some adjustments to their hockey operations department.
Kirt Hill, formerly general manager and president of hockey operations for the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings, joins the Oilers as assistant general manager, player procurement. In this role, Hill will be responsible for professional and amateur scouting, as well as undrafted free agents.
Andreas Karlsson also received a promotion, now assuming the role of director of player development. He will be in charge of creating development plans for drafted signed prospects in the AHL, CHL, NCAA and in Europe.
The Oilers also created a new group within their front-office staff to focus on acquiring talent from Europe. Toby Salmelainen, in his third year with the Oilers, has been tapped to lead the group as AGM, European Operations.
“These talented individuals represent our continued efforts over the past number of months to improve our scouting, player development, hockey analytics and player services departments,” general manager Stan Bowman said in a statement released by the team. “Each of these areas is equally critical to our success now and in years to come, as is our increased focus on Europe as a growing source of exceptional hockey talent.”
Other promotions include Michael Parkatti to vice president of analytics and technology; Kalle Larsson to assistant general manager, player development and innovation; Justin Mahe to director of hockey operations and player experience; Michael Chan to president, general manager and WHL alternate governor of the Edmonton Oil Kings; Jamie Jackson to director of scouting for the Oil Kings.
Bowman fired head coach Kris Knoblauch and assistant Mark Stuart on May 14 after the Oilers’ first-round loss to the Anaheim Ducks, marking the first major change made by the general manager since his appointment in 2024.