Former Oilers defenceman Jordan Oesterle retires

A former Edmonton Oilers defenceman has retired.

34-year-old Jordan Oesterle has hung up the skates after a 12-year career, his agency O2K Sports Management announced.

Oesterle joined the Oilers as an undrafted free agent in March 2014 after finishing up a three-year career at the NCAA’s Western Michigan University. He would go on to spend four years in the Oilers organization, primarily with the Oilers’ AHL affiliate, the Oklahoma City Barons, and later the Bakersfield Condors. He played in 157 AHL games, scoring 20 goals and 83 points, and 25 NHL games, scoring six points.

“Jordan, you showed the hockey world that hard work pays off,” his agency wrote in a post on X. “From going undrafted as a college free agent to creating a 12-year pro hockey career, there’s no doubt you left your impact on the game and serve as an inspiration to others looking to follow in your footsteps. Congratulations on a great career, and thank you for letting us be a part of your journey!”

After leaving the Oilers in 2017 as a free agent, signing with the Chicago Blackhawks, he would spend the majority of the remainder of his career playing in the NHL. He played 384 games with the Blackhawks, Arizona Coyotes, Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, and most recently, the Nashville Predators, racking up 23 goals and 90 points. With Calgary, Boston, and Nashville’s AHL affiliates, he scored 19 goals and 73 points in 108 games.

His best NHL season in terms of production came during the 2018-19 season with the Coyotes, where he scored six goals and 20 points in 71 games.