After entering the 2022 entry draft without much of an idea who the Edmonton Oilers were targeting with their first round pick, we finally got our answer when Tyler Wright stepped up to the podium and grabbed Reid Schaefer with the 32nd overall pick. Schaefer, a 6’3′ left winger from the Seattle Thunderbirds, was a guy that Ken Holland and his staff clearly thought would be a quality pick for them at #32 after trading up on Zack Kassian and drop three. points to grab him. Known as a capable finisher in the WHL, the 214-pound Schaefer is projected by some to be a middle-six player at the NHL level, which would be a welcome addition to this team’s depth chart considering how shallow it is up front. Schaefer, who turns 19 in September, will return to Seattle for one more year of development before making the jump to the pros, and I have no doubt he’ll be a prospect to follow as he adds a much-needed dose of size and skill to a depth chart that needs it. The supposedly tenacious Schaefer scored at a rate of 0.48 goals/game in the WHL last season, and I will be eager to see if he can build on that success and improve his skills as a shooter and playmaker. Despite being years away from helping at the NHL level, my first impression on draft night is that the Oilers just brought in a big, underrated forward, and I think we can all agree they need more of him in the system. . In 66 games played with the Thunderbirds, Schaefer scored 32 goals and 58 points to go along with 88 PIM and a +29 rating. In 25 playoff games, Shaffer had six goals and 15 assists. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
WHO IS REID SCHAEFER???
Now that we know Reid Schaefer is the newest Oiler, I got into the Google machine to figure out exactly what we have here and how it can help our hockey team get down the line. Let the Internet be our guide. “A breakout junior this season, Schaefer was an important part of Seattle’s run to the WHL Finals. He’s big, skates for his size and has 32 goals in 66 games this season. He plays the game with power, but also has a soft touch on the puck that has seen him rise in draft picks all season.” – Chris Peters, DailyFaceoff “Reid Schaefer of the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) is a developing story in this year’s draft. A projected mid-round pick early in the year, he has the size (6-foot-3, 214 pounds) and enough skill to score 32 goals in 66 WHL games. He easily earns position in the net and hits hard and often. Like Gaucher, he’s more of a power forward, but presents an interesting option as a big troublemaker with scoring ability.” – Lowetide, The Athletic “Schaefer has certainly proven predictions wrong during the NHL Draft. He opened the year with a ‘C’ grade from NHL Central Scouting, which is awarded to those considered prospects who will be selected in the fourth round or later. He was No. 85 on the North American Skaters list at midseason, but after scoring 32 goals in 66 games, he moved up to No. 31 in the final rankings.” -TSN director of scouting Craig Button has Schaefer No. 20 on his final all-prospect list. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below “His birthday is in late September, Schaefer is one of the biggest players in the draft class. He will have to spend one more year in the WHL before moving up to the NHL. Players with the power forward style often take a while to transition to the professional game as they play against men. As a result, the team that drafts Schaefer will have to be patient and prepared to see him in junior/AHL hockey for two to three years before he’s ready for the NHL. Shafer has improved his skating this season. If he can continue to do that and improve his playmaking, Schaefer could be a winger in the NHL. If the offense doesn’t translate, Schaefer still has the size and skating ability to develop into a bottom-six player in the NHL. His game reminds me of Josh Anderson. This is a stylistic comparison only and not based on skill and ability.” -Last word about sports
WHERE HE RANKED
SCHAEFER’S CAREER SO FAR
Season Team League GP GA PIM Points +/- PGP GA PIM Points 2019-20 Spruce Grove Saints AJHL 33 6 10 16 32 2 0 0 0 2 2019-20 Seattle Thunderbirds WHL 7 0 1 12 109 Spruce Grove Saints 3 0 0 0 2 2020-21 Seattle Thunderbirds WHL 18 0 2 2 14 -4 2021-22 Seattle Thunderbirds WHL 66 32 26 58 88 29 25 6 15 21 32
