RELEASE: Bouchard assigned to Bakersfield

EDMONTON, AB - The Edmonton Oilers have assigned defenceman Evan Bouchard to the American Hockey League's Bakersfield Condors. Bouchard is expected to join the Condors prior to Game 1 of their Calder Cup Playoff series tomorrow night versus the Colorado Eagles.
Bouchard, 19, signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Oilers on July 17, 2018 and spent this season with the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights, serving as team captain for the last two seasons. Bouchard registered 53 points (16G, 37A) in 45 games and earned a +28 plus-minus rating during the 2018-19 regular season. Bouchard led the 2018-19 OHL Playoffs in scoring through two rounds, with 21 points (4G, 17A) in 11 games. The London Knights were eliminated in the second round of the OHL playoffs on Tuesday, in a Game Seven loss to the Guelph Storm.
In his OHL rookie season, Bouchard helped the Knights capture the OHL Championship and 2016 Memorial Cup. He was named a finalist for the Max Kaminsky Trophy as Defenceman of the Year and the Red Tilson Trophy as MVP of the OHL following his 2017-18 campaign. The 6'2, 198-pound native of Oakville, Ontario registered 201 points (54G, 147A), 142 penalty minutes and a +96 plus-minus rating in 223 career OHL games (four seasons) with the Knights.
Bouchard has represented Canada internationally on three occasions, including the 2019 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup and the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. He served as an alternate captain at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, collecting three points (0G, 3A) in five games, with a +6 plus-minus and won gold with Canada White at the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, registering six points (1G, 5A) in six games.
The Oilers first round pick selected 10th overall in the 2018 NHL Draft played seven games with the Oilers this season and recorded his first NHL goal in a 4-1 win against the Washington Capitals on October 25.