RELEASE: Oilers announce updates to hockey activities

EDMONTON, AB – The Edmonton Oilers have announced the following hockey promotions:

Michael Parkatti: Vice President, Analytics and Technology
Kirt Hill: Assistant GM, Player Acquisition
Phone conversation Larsson: Assistant GM, Player Development and Innovation
Toby Salmelainen: Assistant GM, European Operations
Andrew Karlsson: Director, Player Development
Justin Mahe: Director, Hockey Operations and Player Experience
Michael Can: President, GM and WHL Deputy Governor, Edmonton Oil Kings
Jamie Jackson: Director, Scouting, Edmonton Oil Kings

“We are pleased to announce these important promotions and updates today,” said Stan Bowman, Oilers Executive Vice President and General Manager. “These talented individuals represent our continued efforts over the past several months to enhance our scouting, player development, hockey analytics and player services departments. Each of these areas is equally critical to our success now and in the years to come, as is our increased focus on Europe as a growing source of exceptional hockey talent.”

Michael Parkatti joined the Oilers in 2023 as Senior Director, Data and Analytics and provides the hockey operations department with valuable, insight-driven recommendations. Parkatti, an established name in the world of hockey analytics who developed industry-standard metrics such as expected goals, had previously provided the club with consulting services from 2013 to 2015.

Parkatti recently welcomed three valuable members to its growing analytics staff, including Hassaan Inayatali as Senior Data Scientist, Jordan Vani as Hockey Data Engineer and CJ Gilroy as Full Stack Developer.

Kirt Hill comes to the Oilers after spending the past eight seasons as President of Hockey Operations and General Manager of the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings. In his new role, Kirt will lead the player buying group, which consists of professional and amateur scouting and undrafted free agents. He previously served as an amateur scout with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2017-18 and spent three seasons as director of hockey operations and manager of player development and recruiting for the WHL.

Kalle Larsson, who joined the organization in 2024, continues his work collaborating and consulting with fellow senior management and coaches for both the Oilers and AHL’s Bakersfield Condors. In addition to overseeing the staff responsible for individual prospect development plans, Kalle will also monitor Oilers skills and performance coaches to create similar plans for current players.

Toby Salmelainen enters his third year with Edmonton and leads a newly formed group responsible for all European operations, including amateur and professional scouting, free agent recruitment and player recruitment. He will also use his expertise and experience for the development of European players.

In his expanded role as Director of Player Development, Andreas Karlsson will now take on a leadership role in establishing and continuously overseeing individual development plans for drafted and signed prospects in the AHL, CHL, NCAA and Europe.

Justin Mahe enters his 17th season at the club, where he originally worked in player development before switching to hockey analytics eight years ago. In his new role, he will manage budgeting, immigration and regulatory compliance for hockey operations. He will also take the lead role in assisting new players in all areas of relocation to Edmonton and Bakersfield, providing concierge-level support for free agent signings, as well as special settlement support for international players and their families.

Michael Chan begins his first season as president and general manager of the Edmonton Oil Kings after serving as the club’s director of scouting for five seasons. The Edmonton native had also worked as the team’s video coach and hockey operations coordinator from 2017 to 2020.

Jamie Jackson takes over as Oil Kings Director of Scouting from Chan after serving as an area scout for the team since 2021. Most recently, he also worked behind the bench as Head Coach and Director of Player Development at the Northern Alberta Xtreme Hockey Academy.