Oilers re-sign Owen Michaels to two-year contract
The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed restricted free agent forward Owen Michaels to a two-year contract, the club announced Monday morning.
According to the Oilers, Michael’s new contract carries a $900,000 NHL cap hit. Depending on how many games he plays over the duration of the deal, the Detroit, Mich. product will either become an RFA or a Group 6 UFA in 2028.
Michaels, 24, spent the 2025-26 season at Western Michigan University, collecting 13 goals and 26 points in 39 games as a junior with the Broncos. The 6’2″ right-shot forward signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Oilers this past April.
The #Oilers have signed forward Owen Michaels to a two-year contract with an AAV of $900,000. nhl.com/oilers/news/re…
An undrafted player, Michaels played his junior hockey with the USHL’s Lincoln Stars and Dubuque Fighting Saints, as well as the NAHL’s Bismarck Bobcats, before heading to Western Michigan ahead of the 2023-24 academic year and hockey season.
After managing just two goals and seven points in 38 games with the Broncos as a freshman, Michaels emerged as an impact player in his sophomore year, scoring 18 goals and 36 points in 42 games. He played an instrumental role in Western Michigan capturing its first-ever national championship in 2025, scoring two goals in the Frozen Four semi-final against Denver and adding two more in the title game against Boston University.
Across his three seasons with the Broncos, Michaels collected 33 goals, 69 points, and 22 penalty minutes; he finished his tenure with a career plus-43 rating. He served as captain of the Broncos in the 2025-26 season and was named a nominee for the Hobey Baker Award.
With Michaels now signed, the Oilers have just one RFA remaining to deal with this summer in Colton Dach (they also have Roby Jarventie, who has signed a contract with HC Ambri-Piotta of the Swiss National League). Additionally, the Oilers are now eligible to negotiate contract extensions with their 2027 RFAs, including Matt Savoie, Josh Samanski, and Devon Levi.