Oilers 2025 draft picks Tommy Lafreniere, David Lewandowski, Asher Barnett, Daniel Salonen, and Aidan Park were officially welcomed to the organization as they each received their team jersey and hat from general manager Stan Bowman during Development Camp.
The moment an NHL draft pick receives their team jersey and hat from the general manager is one that solidifies a dream years in the making. For the Edmonton Oilers’ 2025 draft class—Tommy Lafreniere, David Lewandowski, Asher Barnett, Daniel Salonen, and Aidan Park—that dream became a reality during Development Camp when they were personally handed their Oilers jerseys and caps by GM Stan Bowman. The exchange wasn’t just symbolic. It marked the official beginning of their professional journeys, a declaration that they are now part of a storied franchise and a culture rich in both expectation and opportunity.
For the Oilers, this year’s draft was about more than just adding names to a depth chart. It was about infusing their pipeline with talent that reflects their long-term vision. Each of these five prospects brings a unique blend of skill, potential, and hunger—traits the Oilers believe are vital for sustained success. When Stan Bowman, a veteran executive with a championship pedigree, handed out those jerseys, he wasn’t just checking off a procedural task. He was delivering a message: you are not here by accident, and we expect greatness.
Tommy Lafreniere, a versatile forward with an elite hockey IQ, was one of the most talked-about names entering the draft. His performance at the junior level had already turned heads, but it was his composure, work ethic, and ability to lead by example that truly stood out to scouts. Standing at 6’1″ and weighing in at just over 190 pounds, Lafreniere blends skill and physicality in a way that fits perfectly with the modern NHL game. During his time at Development Camp, he quickly emerged as a leader on the ice, showing a natural command in drills and scrimmages. Coaches were impressed not only by his hands and vision but also by his ability to adapt to systems and his willingness to be coached.
David Lewandowski, the big-bodied defenseman with a booming shot and a shutdown mentality, has the kind of upside that NHL blue lines are built around. He’s not the flashiest player, but he may be the most reliable among the group. His game is predicated on sound positional play, strength in board battles, and a mean streak that’s difficult to teach. The Oilers have long been in search of physicality on the back end, and Lewandowski looks like he could eventually be a solution. While there’s still some polish needed in his puck-moving game, the foundation is rock solid. What impressed the coaching staff during Development Camp was his demeanor. Quiet off the ice, he transforms into a competitor the second the whistle blows. His battles in front of the net drew attention, as did his stick positioning and ability to read offensive zone entries.
Asher Barnett, meanwhile, brings a flair to the ice that Oilers fans may find exciting in the years ahead. A gifted skater with explosive acceleration and a keen offensive instinct, Barnett is the type of forward who can change the momentum of a game with a single shift. Draft analysts had him pegged as a potential steal where Edmonton selected him, citing his underrated shot release and creativity with the puck. His performance during Development Camp underscored that belief. He played fast, made plays in tight spaces, and didn’t shy away from driving the net. Barnett’s ceiling appears to be high, especially if he continues developing his two-way game and grows into his frame. Coaches noted that he brings an element of unpredictability—he can score, he can pass, and he’s not afraid to try high-risk, high-reward plays when the situation calls for it.
Daniel Salonen might not have garnered as much media attention as some of the others, but internally, the Oilers are thrilled with what they’ve seen. A Finnish center known for his smooth skating and hockey sense, Salonen brings consistency and versatility to the table. He impressed the Oilers’ scouting staff with his performances in Finland’s top junior league and has already shown flashes of being a reliable two-way player who can excel in all three zones. At Development Camp, Salonen was a quiet force—always in the right position, always making the smart play. He might not make the highlight reels every night, but his coaches have taken note of how rarely he makes mistakes. Salonen projects as the kind of player who could anchor a third line or perhaps grow into a second-line role with the right development. His attitude stood out as well. Polite and reserved off the ice, he carries himself with a quiet confidence and a willingness to do whatever it takes to help the team.
Rounding out the group is Aidan Park, a high-energy winger who plays the game with a motor that doesn’t stop. What Park may lack in size, he makes up for with effort, speed, and heart. He is relentless on the forecheck, a thorn in the side of opposing defensemen, and a spark plug in transition. The Oilers were drawn to Park’s tenacity and his ability to make an impact even when he’s not scoring. During Development Camp, Park was everywhere—digging pucks out of the corners, blocking shots, and pestering puck carriers into turnovers. Coaches praised his conditioning and compete level, noting that he pushes the pace in every drill. Park’s game is well-suited for the NHL’s bottom six, where energy and effort can turn the tide of a game or swing momentum during a long road trip.
What’s most encouraging for the Oilers organization is the camaraderie already forming among the group. Even though they come from different backgrounds—Canadian juniors, U.S. development leagues, European pro circuits—they’ve bonded quickly. The shared experience of being welcomed into the Oilers family by a figure like Stan Bowman has a unifying effect. Bowman, who has won at the highest level, brings a gravitas to moments like these. For the prospects, receiving that jersey and hat from a GM with Stanley Cups on his résumé was more than ceremonial—it was a challenge and a promise.
Behind the scenes, Development Camp is as much about teaching culture and expectation as it is about refining technique. Players participate in off-ice sessions that include nutrition, media training, and mental skills development. They are immersed in what it means to be an Oiler—not just the systems on the ice, but the standards of professionalism, accountability, and effort that are expected at all levels of the organization. This year’s class embraced the process. They asked questions. They sought feedback. They pushed each other.
The Oilers coaching and player development staff, including the AHL affiliates, now have the responsibility of charting a path for these five players. For some, that might mean time in the minors. For others, perhaps another season in junior or in Europe. But the message is clear: the organization believes in their potential, and there’s a plan in place to help each of them reach it.
Fans in Edmonton, still basking in recent playoff success and hungry for a championship, should take comfort in knowing that the pipeline remains strong. These aren’t just players—they’re investments in the future of the franchise. And while their NHL debuts may still be on the horizon, the first chapter has already been written. That chapter began the moment they shook hands with Stan Bowman, slid on the Oilers jersey, and put on the team hat.
For Lafreniere, Lewandowski, Barnett, Salonen, and Park, the next steps will be filled with challenges. They’ll have to battle for roster spots, earn ice time, and prove that they belong. But if Development Camp was any indication, the group is ready. They’ve already shown the character, work ethic, and commitment that the Oilers value so deeply.
There will be setbacks. There always are. But these five young men now carry the crest of a franchise with a rich history and a passionate fanbase. That alone is motivation enough to keep grinding. In time, some of them will skate onto NHL ice wearing that same jersey for real—not in a ceremony, but in a game that counts.
For now, though, the moment belongs to them. A jersey, a hat, a handshake—and a future waiting to be claimed.
