Oilers sign defenceman Riley Stillman, goalie Matt Tomkins


The NHL’s Edmonton Oilers announced Tuesday that assistant general manager Brad Holland is leaving the club. Lights and logos cover the arena before the Edmonton Oilers and the Vancouver Canucks play Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, May 8, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

The Edmonton Oilers have signed a new defenceman and goalie, both with two-year, two-way $775,000 contracts.

City of Champions native Matt Tomkins made six National Hockey League (NHL) appearances in 2023-24 with the Tampa Bay Lightning and represented Canada at the 2022 Olympics, playing three games.

Montreal Canadiens’ Jake Evans (71) tries to get his stick on the puck as Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Matt Tomkins (90) makes a save during second period NHL hockey action in Montreal on Tuesday, Nov., 7, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi)

The 31-year-old was the original seventh-round selection of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2012. He’s played 91 American Hockey League games over six seasons with Rockford and Syracuse with a career record of 38-42-11, a 2.86 goals against average, a .901 save percentage and four shutouts.

Defenceman Riley Stillman will join the Oilers’ roster after playing five games for the Carolina Hurricanes last season. He made his NHL debut in the 2018-19 season and has played a total of 163 games with Florida, Chicago, Vancouver, Buffalo, and the aforementioned Carolina.

Chicago Blackhawks’ Riley Stillman (61) and Edmonton Oilers’ Jesse Puljujarvi (13) battle for the puck during first period NHL action in Edmonton on Saturday, November 20, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

The 27-year-old also skated in 35 games with the Chicago Wolves in 2024-25, recording three goals and six assists with 58 penalty minutes.

While in Chicago in 2021-22, Stillman played 52 games, tallying two goals and 10 assists while logging over 15 minutes time-on-ice per game.