Jaxon Pisani and Marcus Laraque, sons of former Oilers, drafted into the WHL

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The sons of two former Edmonton Oilers were drafted into the Western Hockey League on Thursday during their annual bantam selection draft.

First to go off the board was Jaxon Pisani, son of Fernando, who was selected in the second round, 39th overall, by the Everett Silvertips. Born in Sturgeon County in 2009, Pisani has spent the last two years in the St. Albert Sabres’ u15 AAA team. A 5’10, 150-lb left-shot defenceman, Pisani racked up nine goals and 46 points in 34 games this year for the Sabres en route to an AEHL u15 Championship.Pisani joins a rebuilding Silvertips team that drafted defenceman Landon DuPont with the first overall selection, the second WHL prospect to ever be granted exceptional status.

Jaxon’s older brother, Teo, was drafted by the Edmonton Oil Kings in the fourth round of the 2021 draft, but opted to go the Junior A route, playing last season for the AJHL/BCHL’s Spruce Grove Saints. He’s committed to the University of Nebraska-Omaha for the 2025-26 season.

Fernando, meanwhile, was drafted by the Oilers in the eighth round of the 1996 draft. He spent four years at the NCAA’s Providence College before spending time with the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs. He joined the Oilers in 2002-03, spending six years with the NHL club. His best season came in 2005-06, when he scored 18 goals and 37 points in the regular season. He then went on an incredible run in the playoffs, scoring 14 goals and 18 points in 24 games.

Marcus Laraque, meanwhile, was drafted in the fourth round, 79th overall by the Seattle Thunderbirds. Born in Edmonton in 2009, Laraque has the size of his father, standing at a booming 6’4, 181 lbs. The right-shot right winger spent last season with HC Edmonton’s u15 team in the JPHL, scoring 13 goals and 40 points in 28 games.

Georges was drafted by the Oilers in the second round of the 1995 draft. He spent another season in the QMJHL before turning pro. He split his first two pro seasons between the AHL and NHL before joining the Oilers full-time in 1999-00. Known as one of the game’s most feared enforcers, many in Edmonton remember him for his hat trick on Feb. 21, 2000, against the L.A. Kings.