Oilers announce multiple promotions within hockey operations
The Edmonton Oilers may have fired head coach Kris Knoblauch after falling to the Anaheim Ducks in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but they’ve just decided that a number of others in their hockey operations are worthy of a promotion.
On Thursday, the Oilers announced a total of eight promotions within their hockey operations.
Among the most prominent of the promotions was that of Michael Parkatti to the role of Vice President, Analytics and Technology. Parkatti, who joined Edmonton in September of 2023, had previously been in the role of Senior Director, Data & Analytics, where he led the operations of the team’s analytics staff. He also provided the Oilers with consultancy services from 2013 to 2015.
The addition of Kirt Hill to the role of Assistant GM, Player Procurement was also notable. Hill has spent the last eight years as the president of hockey operations and general manager of the Western Hockey League’s Edmonton Oil Kings, during which time they won the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL champions in 2022. With the Oilers, he will lead professional and amateur scouting.
The remaining promotions are as follows: Kalle Larsson to the role of Assistant GM, Player Development and Innovation; Toby Salmelainen to the role of Assistant GM, European Operations; Andreas Karlsson to the role of Director, Player Development; Justin Mahe to the role of Director, Hockey Operations and Player Experience; Michael Chan to the role of President, GM and WHL Alternate Governor, Edmonton Oil Kings; and Jamie Jackson to the role of Director, Scouting, Edmonton Oil Kings.
In a statement released by the Oilers, general manager Stan Bowman spoke about his team’s bundle of promotions within hockey operations.
“We are pleased to be announcing these important promotions and updates today,” he said. “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.”