FEATURE: Condors talent making an impact with Oilers

EDMONTON, AB - Daryl Katz acquired the Bakersfield Condors because he knew that building a successful NHL organization begins from the ground up by developing through the American Hockey League and ECHL levels.
You have to draft talent, and then you have to develop talent.
The Edmonton Oilers Owner and Governor purchased the ECHL's Bakersfield Condors in January 2014 to add another level to the organization's scouting and development pathway, hoping in the coming years that the road to Edmonton for the club's coaches and players would run through California and hockey's hidden gem in the heart of Kern County.
Over nine seasons later, with the Condors and Oilers officially extending their partnership on Thursday with the renewal of their lease in Bakersfield for five more years, we're seeing Katz's vision for the Oilers and his commitment to the city of Bakersfield come to fruition before our very eyes.
"We said long ago down there that we wanted to produce hockey players for the Edmonton Oilers, and we're starting to see the fruits of that labour bubble up to the surface," Head Coach Jay Woodcroft said.
"I think there's been a lot of resources dedicated toward pro scouting, a lot of resources dedicated toward making sure that the next generation of Edmonton Oilers players are going to be good ones, and that doesn't happen without Daryl's vision. It doesn't happen without the structures in place in Bakersfield.
"I just know that it's a partnership that both sides sincerely appreciate."

Since 2015, there have been 55 players who've played for both the Oilers and Condors, including 19 rookies who made their NHL debuts in Edmonton after starting their professional careers in Bakersfield.
The Oilers current-day roster boasts 12 players who've played at least one game in Bakersfield over their careers, including graduated full-time NHLers like Stuart Skinner, Kailer Yamamoto, Evan Bouchard, Ryan McLeod, Philip Broberg and Vincent Desharnais, who've all taken enormous strides as professionals to contribute to an Oilers team pushing for a Stanley Cup.
"It starts at the top with Daryl's commitment to having a strong development system anchored by the American League team," Oilers GM & President of Hockey Operations Ken Holland said. "Over the last four or five years, we've also invested a lot of money in players down there. We've increased the payroll and certainly, Daryl wants our organization to be strong.
"You've got to draft and you've got to develop. They've got to work their way through your farm team and eventually get to the big club."

The pathway to the NHL through Bakersfield hasn't been limited to just players.
When Woodcroft faced a crossroads in his career on his path toward becoming an NHL head coach, he found a home in Bakersfield to work on his craft before his mid-season appointment to Edmonton helped change the course of the club's season from out of the playoffs to a Western Conference Final appearance.
"I know that I wouldn't have been able to get better without that opportunity and without the great people that were in place already in Bakersfield," Woodcroft said. "We had a great coaching staff. There's a good management group down there. There are a lot of good hockey people that care about winning and care about developing. Most importantly, we had a lot of really good players come through the program and we're proud of that."
In today's NHL, building from the development leagues up to the NHL is not only desired, but a necessity. Katz's commitment to the Condors and the community of Bakersfield have transformed the club's scouting and development programs into an AHL leader that's reaping the rewards for the Oilers at the NHL level.
"I would go down to Bakersfield and we'd have I think two prospects. Now, you look over the last few years and we've had players come from Bakersfield that have impacted the Oilers," Condors General Manager Keith Gretzky said. "We need that in the salary cap system, and I think it's really important that you develop and you spend the money in which Daryl has to really emphasize making this work in every way possible."

The investments made by Katz could never go as far without a proper partner, and the Condors continue to fit the bill with their loyal fanbase and league-leading business and marketing operations that's persisted over a quarter century of AHL and ECHL hockey.
Celebrating their 25th anniversary this season as a professional club, the Condors have helped shepherd the next generation of Oilers players for the past nine seasons while helping grow the greater Bakersfield community by boosting the local economy as a business leader and entertainment staple in the heart of Bakersfield's downtown at Mechanics Bank Arena.
"The Condors are one of the hallmarks of the American Hockey League, the second-greatest hockey league in the world," Condors President Matthew Riley said. "Working with area businesses, schools, churches, and organizations of all shapes, sizes and causes. We try and be there.
"People want to work for companies that are aligned with the Condors, it's just that simple. We are a great investment for local businesses for employee retention and increasing sales and customer satisfaction. The economic impact on the area is millions of dollars per year. That's hundreds of millions of dollars over our existence."
After averaging close to 5,300 fans per game during the 2019-20 season, the Condors attendance has steadily ticked upward back to pre-pandemic levels, including 7,893 fans at Mechanics Bank Arena for Star Wars Night on Jan. 28 in a 5-4 win over the San Jose Barracuda.

For the organization's younger players, playing in Bakersfield is an opportunity to be the centre of attention in one of the AHL's strongest markets while having access to some of the best player development resources to push themselves further down the proven pathway toward the NHL.
"I was here during COVID when it was hard to get fans in the building, but it's been really nice seeing some good crowds this year," defenceman Michael Kesselring, a sixth-round pick by the Oilers at the 2018 NHL Draft.
"I think now just out west in general, it's becoming more hockey. Hockey is getting bigger, so Condorstown has been great and it's nice we get recognized a little bit around the city. You'd never think of Bakersfield as a hockey place, but it really is and you want to do your best for the fans. It's cool to hear little kids call your name and want to be like you, so it's great to have it as a hockey town."