Oilers loan Tyler Benson to the GCK Lions of the Swiss League

This morning, the Edmonton Oilers announced via their social media channels that the team has loaned forward, @Tyler Benson, to the GCK Lions of the Swiss League.

As we’ve seen throughout the offseason so far, Ken Holland continues his fine work of placing prospects in European leagues to ensure that they’re getting some ice time and today, it was Tyler Benson’s turn to get an assignment. Like many of his teammates, Benson will be heading overseas to kick off his year and will be playing for the GCK Lions in the Swiss League while he waits for the Condors to get going again, which will hopefully be happening at some point in December or early January.

Benson, 22, was drafted by the Oilers at 32nd overall back in June of 2016 and has spent the past two seasons cutting his teeth down in Bakersfield. Unquestionably a prospect of interest for many Oilers fans, Benson continues to hone his craft and as he works his way to becoming an NHL regular, which makes his assignment to the Swiss League that much more important. Benson made his NHL debut last season, playing in seven games with the Oilers and registering a single assist. In 47 games with the Bakersfield Condors, Benson finished the 2019-20 season with nine goals and 27 assists for 36 points.

Benson marks the 13th Oilers prospect to be placed with a European squad as Ken Holland continues to grind and make sure that his guys won’t have to wait another few months before they’re able to play. At the time of posting, the AHL is still shooting to get started on December 4th, 2020, but that’s still miles away and today’s move will ensure that Benson gets the chance to keep his legs fresh and keep developing over the next few months rather than sitting idle.

Here’s the full list of where Oilers players will be playing this fall: