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James Stefan, Portland Winterhawks (Photo Credit: Tri-City Americans)

James Stefan: Oilers Prospect Struggling in First Professional Season

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Jesse Courville-Lynch | Last updated Apr 1, 2025 1:35 PM ET

The Edmonton Oilers decided to sign forward James Stefan from the Portland Winterhawks after he had a strong 2023-24 campaign in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Portland Winterhawks and immediately assigned him to the American Hockey League (AHL) to play with the Bakersfield Condors. In the 2023-24 season with the Winterhawks, he scored 50 goals and added 51 assists for 101 points through 67 games, which comes out to a 1.51 points-per-game average.

He had established himself as a strong offensive producer who played a sound defensive game, and fans were excited about his potential at the professional level. He was second on the Winterhawks in scoring, playing alongside some other strong prospects like Nate Danielson and Josh Davies, and stood out as one of the best all-around players on the team despite going undrafted. His father, Patrik Stefan, also played 455 games in the NHL between 1999 and 2006.

Unfortunately, Stefan struggled to find confidence offensively this season. In 45 games with the Condors, he scored just three goals and was assigned to the ECHL to play with the Fort Wayne Komets. In six games with the Komets, he has two goals. After seeing him play in the WHL and seeing his ability to score from anywhere while having the confidence to create opportunities for himself and his teammates, it was surprising to see him have such a down season. However, it’s just his first season at the professional level, and there’s no reason to panic just yet.

Stefan Should Bounce Back Next Season

While Stefan has found the transition to the professional level more challenging than originally expected, he should be able to bounce back next season. He has all the skills in his toolbox to be able to start producing offensively, he just needs to build more confidence in his own game. Spending time in both the AHL and ECHL this season should give him exactly that as he tries to carve a path to the NHL down the line.

If I had to guess, Stefan will start the 2025-26 season in the AHL with the Condors, and if he comes into training camp after a strong summer, he could get a bigger opportunity with the team. Having an increased role with more ice time should lead to more points, but he just has to fine-tune his game and continue to build speed as he enters a new campaign.

Transitioning to the professional level is difficult for any athlete in any sport, and it’s even tougher for others. Seeing Stefan go from being a 100-point player in the WHL to a single-digit point player in the AHL was a bit of a surprise for sure, but it doesn’t mean he’s a failed project by any means. I had the privilege to watch him at the WHL level live at games, and it was always clear that when he was feeling confident in himself, he could be a difference-maker at both ends of the ice.

Stefan skates well, has an accurate shot, and doesn’t neglect his defensive zone play. The only issue I can pick out from his game in the AHL is the fact that he seemed a little shocked at the difference in speed and physicality. He wasn’t scared by any means, but it was challenging for him. Now that he has that first season out of the way, he should come into his second season with more confidence and should start to put up points at will.

As the 2024-25 season moves along, be sure to continue following The Hockey Writers as your source for news from around the NHL and the hockey world.