The Edmonton Oilers have signed goaltending prospect Nathaniel Day to a three-year, entry-level contract, per a team release. Day was the organization’s sixth round selection in the 2023 draft.
Day was named the OHL Flint Firebird’s 2024-25 team MVP after leading the league in games and minutes played by a goalie. In 59 games, Day recorded a less-than-stellar 26-25-2-3 record and an .894 save percentage but also faced the fourth-most shots in the OHL. He recorded his first three professional shutouts this season, added a .902 save percentage in five playoff games, and was named the OHL’s Goaltender of the Week on three separate occasions.
The Burlington, Ontario native sits at 6’4, 205 pounds and possesses the size coveted by today’s NHL teams. And while only 20-years-old, the 2024-25 campaign marked the fourth season Day has appeared exclusively for the Firebirds. All told, he has appeared in 153 regular season games for Flint and an additional 17 playoff contests. Last fall, he also participated in the 2024 Young Stars Classic representing the Oilers and also made his NHL preseason debut.
Day is among a list of goaltending prospects in the Oilers’ organization, including 2022 fifth round selection Samuel Jonsson, 2018 second round pick Olivier Rodrigue, and current ECHL goalie Connor Ungar. Then there is also Brett Brochu, who recently earned a call-up to AHL’s Bakersfield Condors and has performed admirably, recording a .937 save percentage through three starts. In 35 games in the ECHL this season, Brochu, 22, has recorded a .924 save percentage to go with his 20-10-4 record. He has worked his way up the ranks, showcasing solid stats throughout the PJCHL, OHL, ECHL, and now AHL. Rodrigue was recently recalled to Edmonton to provide support during Stuart Skinner’s injury absence.