Oilers sign 23 year old, 6'5 German free agent center Samanski to two year contract

The Edmonton Oilers have announced that they've signed 23 year old free agent forward Josh Samanski to a two year entry-level contract that begins next season.

The German-born forward, who also holds Canadian citizenship, scored 14 goals and 40 points in 52 games for the DEL's Staubing Tigers this past season. At 6'5, 190 lbs the lanky centerman has some size and some snarl to his game.

Samanski gives the Oilers some much needed depth at the center ice position and will most likely start next campaign with the AHL's Bakersfield Condors.

From the Oilers' official press release announcement:

EDMONTON, AB – The Edmonton Oilers announced today they have signed German forward Josh Samanski to a two-year entry-level contract beginning in the 2025-26 season.

The 23-year-old centreman from Erding, who also has Canadian citizenship, scored 14 goals and 26 assists for 40 points in 52 games during the 2024-25 season to lead the Straubing Tigers of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).

Samanski spent one year in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Owen Sound Attack in 2019-20, tallying four goals and 16 assists in 54 games before joining Straubing for the past four seasons.

The 6-foot-5 pivot has competed for the German national team at two World Junior Championship tournaments and one Deutschland Cup, in addition to playing with Straubing at the 2024 Spengler Cup, scoring two goals and one assist in five games.

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