EDMONTON – Colton Dach, a 23-year-old forward from Edmonton’s suburb of St. Albert, Alta., always dreamed of playing for the Oilers. The lifelong fan now prepares for his hometown debut after joining the team before the NHL trade deadline.
Dach’s Family Shares the Excitement
Dach skated with his new teammates Friday morning. “I think my mom and dad were probably the two most excited people on the planet when they found out,” he said. His parents and sister plan to attend his Oilers debut at Rogers Place that evening. “Pretty crazy,” Dach added. “We’ve been coming to games since I don’t even know how old I was. It’s a pretty surreal moment.”
Trade Breakdown
The Oilers stayed active earlier in the week ahead of Friday’s 3 p.m. ET deadline. Chicago retained 50 percent of Dickinson’s US$4.25-million salary cap hit on his expiring contract. The move followed the Blackhawks’ trade of veteran defenseman Connor Murphy to Edmonton for a second-round pick in the 2028 draft, with half of Murphy’s salary also retained.
Dach and Dickinson traveled to Edmonton together Thursday. The newcomer appreciated the veteran’s guidance. “I was calling him probably every 15 minutes about what to pack, what to do,” Dach said with a grin.
Player Profiles and Expectations
The six-foot-four Dach brings three goals and nine points from 53 games this season. Dickinson, six-foot-two, tallied six goals and 13 points in 47 appearances. “I think it’s a great opportunity. Super excited to be here,” Dach stated. “I’m just going to try to bring some physicality, some energy, use my size to my advantage.”
Both players look forward to teaming up with Connor McDavid. Dickinson, from Georgetown, Ont., faced the superstar center many times. “I’ve definitely had my struggles with him. I’ve loved doing it. But it’ll be a lot nicer to watch him do his thing,” he said.
Playoff Hunger
The 30-year-old center craves postseason action. Edmonton reached the Stanley Cup Final in back-to-back seasons, and Dickinson aims to help deliver a championship. “The opportunity to play in the playoffs is something to cherish because it’s been six years since my last crack at the playoffs,” he noted. “As a young guy, you don’t always appreciate the opportunity in front of you sometimes and the fact that it is fleeting.”
