Edmonton Oilers select offensive forward Xavier Bourgault in 1st round of NHL entry draft

The Edmonton Oilers selected forward Xavier Bourgault in the first round of the NHL entry draft on Friday night.

READ MORE: Edmonton Oilers set for NHL draft; re-sign goalie Mike Smith 

The Oilers’ nabbed the offensive QMJHL player with the 22nd overall pick.

“I’m just shook right now. I’m so happy,” Bourgault told 630 CHED shortly after being drafted.

Bourgault was watching the draft with over 50 family and friends.

Edmonton had come into the draft holding the No. 20 pick. Just before they were due to make the selection, they traded that pick to the Minnesota Wild for the 22nd overall pick and the 90th overall pick.

“We had a cluster of guys. We didn’t want to move too far back,” said Tyler Wright, the Oilers’ director of amateur scouting. “He’s a highly skilled offensive player.

“He can play centre. He can play the wing. He has good size. He has excellent vision, excellent skill. He’s a student of the game. He’s a very mature young man.”

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Edmonton had come into the draft holding the No. 20 pick but just before they were due to make a selection, traded that pick to the Minnesota Wild for the 22nd overall pick and the 90th overall pick.

READ MORE: Unusual year creates unusual NHL entry draft for prospects, scouts 

Bourgault, who turns 19 in October, picked up 40 points in 29 games in a COVID-shortened season with the Shawinigan Cataractes. The Quebec native has played both centre and on the wing.

“This season was shut down sometimes. It was hard mentally,” explained Bourgault, who said T.J. Oshie of the Washington Capitals is one of his favourite NHL players.

“I’m a very good player offensively. Very good shot, very good playmaker. I’m very serious in everything, on the ice, off the ice. I like to put forth the effort.”

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READ MORE: Edmonton Oilers open NHL regular season Oct. 13 vs. Canucks

Bourgault was the No. 13-ranked North American skater heading into the draft.

Rounds two through seven of the draft will be held on Saturday. Coverage on 630 CHED runs from 10 a.m. to noon.

–With a file from The Canadian Press

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