Oilers recall forward Ike Howard, loan James Hamblin to AHL

With just one day before the Edmonton Oilers open their 2025-26 season against the Calgary Flames, the roster is still being tinkered with.

Left winger Ike Howard was recalled by Edmonton from the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors on Tuesday, the team announced. In a corresponding move, forward James Hamblin was loaned to Bakersfield.

Howard, the reigning Hobey Baker Award winner, was one of the headliners of the Oilers’ rookie roster in September for two games against the Flames. He ended up playing in six pre-season games for Edmonton, logging a goal and three assists with nine shots on goal and 15:56 of average ice time.

The 21-year-old was acquired by Edmonton in an off-season trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for fellow prospect Sam O’Reilly.

Howard was named the top player in NCAA hockey last season after posting 52 points (26 goals, 26 assists) for Michigan State.

After the summer trade, the former first-round pick (31st overall) in the 2022 draft by Tampa Bay signed an entry-level deal with Edmonton.