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Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames rookie showcase set for Sept. 14

Photo credit: x.com/edmontonoilers

By Michael Menzies

Aug 26, 2026, 16:00 EDTUpdated: Aug 26, 2026, 16:16 EDT

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We are nearing the first glimpses of Edmonton Oilers players hitting the ice in an actual game.

As of 1 p.m. MT Wednesday, tickets are on sale for the NextGen Showcase game between Oilers rookies and Calgary Flames rookies. The game is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 14, at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

There’s been no announcement yet whether the Oilers will host the Flames in a rookie rubber match at Rogers Place, but don’t expect one. General Manager Stan Bowman indicated on Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer back on Aug. 7 that it would be just one game.

During that interview, he was asked how excited he is to watch Josh Samanski and Isaac Howard in that game.

“I thought they both took a real big step last year,” said Bowman. “For Samanski, it was a big step for him coming from the German league (DEL).

“I think for Howard, coming out of the college ranks, he had a great season for us. You look at his production in Bakersfield — he was the real deal, and I think he got some exposure. I think hopefully that’s going to give him a leg up this year to be able to handle it and take the step kind of like Matt Savoie did.”

Rookie games and competition during or in the lead-up to training camp have

Between 2010 and 2024, Oilers rookies travelled to Penticton to play in the Young Stars Classic tournament 11 times. The event was officially cancelled in 2025, leading to a smaller-scale event or a single game for NHL teams craving competition for their rookies. There were two rookie Battle of Alberta games last September, with the Flames winning both by a goal.

Now, with the pre-season shrinking to four games and the regular season expanding to 84 games, there is less evaluation time than before.

It’s believed the Oilers will begin training camp on Sept. 11. Following the NextGen game, Edmonton’s first pre-season game will be at home on Saturday, Sept. 19, against the Winnipeg Jets.

They’ll go on the road for the next exhibitions, facing the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday, Sept. 22, and the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday, Sept. 24. The Oilers will wrap up pre-season on Saturday, Sept. 26, hosting the Calgary Flames.

Before you know it, the regular season will begin with the home opener on Tuesday, Sept. 29 vs the Canucks.

Michael Menzies is an Oilersnation columnist and co-host of PreGaming and Oilersnation After Dark. He’s also been the play-by-play voice of the Bonnyville Pontiacs in the AJHL since 2019. With seven years of news experience as the Editor-at-Large of Lakeland Connect in Bonnyville, Menzies collects vinyl, books, and stomach issues. Follow him on X at Menzies_4.

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