Michael Parkatti Leads Edmonton Oilers Hockey Operations Updates With VP Promotion
Michael Parkatti leads the edmonton oilers hockey operations updates after the club promoted him to Vice President, Analytics and Technology. The move is part of a wider shuffle across hockey operations that reaches analytics, scouting, player development, European work and player services.
Stan Bowman said, “We are pleased to be announcing these important promotions and updates today.” He added, “These talented individuals represent our continued efforts over the past number of months to improve our scouting, player development, hockey analytics and player services departments.”
Parkatti’s expanded analytics role
Parkatti arrived in 2023 as Senior Director, Data and Analytics after previously providing consultancy services to the Oilers from 2013 to 2015. His promotion puts him at the center of the club’s analytics and technology work, and he recently added Hassaan Inayatali as Senior Data Scientist, Jordan Vani as Hockey Data Engineer and CJ Gilroy as Full Stack Developer.
The added hires point to a department that is getting broader, not narrower. Parkatti’s portfolio now sits alongside player services and hockey operations work that the organization has been trying to sharpen over the past number of months.
Hill and Larsson take larger jobs
Kirt Hill was named Assistant GM, Player Procurement after spending the past eight seasons as President of Hockey Operations and General Manager of the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings. His new group covers pro and amateur scouting as well as undrafted free agents, and he also brings experience from a stint as an amateur scout with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2017-18.
Kalle Larsson, who joined the organization in 2024, was named Assistant GM, Player Development and Innovation. He will continue working with senior management and coaches for the Oilers and Bakersfield Condors, oversee staff members building individual plans for prospect development, and monitor skills and performance coaches so similar plans can be built for current players.
Europe and player services
Toby Salmelainen, now in his third year with Edmonton, will lead a newly formed group responsible for all European operations. That group includes amateur and pro scouting, free agent recruiting and player procurement, and he will also lend his expertise to European player development as the Oilers increase their focus on Europe as a growing source of exceptional hockey talent.
Andreas Karlsson’s expanded role includes leading the creation and continuous oversight of individual development plans for drafted and signed prospects in the AHL, CHL, NCAA and Europe. Justin Mahe, beginning his 17th season with the club, will manage hockey operations budgeting, immigration and regulation compliance, while also leading relocation support for new players arriving in Edmonton.
The staff changes also reach the Edmonton Oil Kings, where Michael Chan was named President, GM and WHL Alternate Governor and Jamie Jackson was named Director, Scouting. Bowman said the changes reflect the club’s push to strengthen several departments at once, with Europe, scouting and player development all getting more defined leadership.
Edmonton Oil Kings changes
The practical effect is simple: more of the Oilers’ front office now has specific ownership over the paths that feed the roster, from amateur scouting to development plans to the support systems for new arrivals. For a club trying to keep its pipeline organized, this announcement puts named people in charge of the jobs that shape the next wave.
