Oilers Release Forward Hoffman from PTO, Win Against Vancouver Canucks

Summary:

• Edmonton Oilers have released Mike Hoffman from his professional tryout contract.
• The former QMJHL has scored a total of 228 goals and tallied 487 points. 
• On Monday, the Oilers defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 marking their second straight pre-season game.

The Edmonton Oilers have announced that they have released veteran forward Mike Hoffman from his professional tryout (PTO) contract. 

Hoffman, a seasoned National Hockey League player with 745 regular-season games in his record of achievements, was competing for a prestigious spot on the Oilers’ roster. 

On Monday, the team won its second straight pre-season game 3-2 against the Vancouver Canucks.

Impressive Career with 228 Goals and 487 Tallied Points 

Hoffman’s NHL career has seen him play for several teams, including the Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers, St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, and San Jose Sharks. 

Over his career, the forward has scored 228 goals and tallied 487 points. His postseason record is, however, just as impressive, consisting of 11 goals and 20 points in 33 total playoff games.

Hoffman’s journey to the NHL was not, however, an easy one. After he was cut from the Kitchener Rangers in the Ontario Hockey League, he made his way into the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and eventually joined the Drummondville Voltigeurs after a few brief stints with the Gatineau Olympiques. 

Alongside Drummondville, Hoffman started to show just how bright he could shine, finishing third in team scoring in his second year and leading them to a QMJHL postseason championship.

Following his success in Drummondville, Hoffman joined the Saint John Sea Dogs, further solidifying his place as a standout in the QMJHL. 

In total, the Kitchener, ONT-born accumulated no less than 122 goals and a whopping 227 points in 180 regular-season games in the league, to which he added 32 goals and 58 points in the 40 postseason appearances that he made. 

Hoffman was selected 130th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2009 NHL Draft. 

He went on to win the Calder Cup in 2011 as part of the Binghamton Senators, Ottawa’s American Hockey League affiliate.

Oilers Wish Hoffman the Best, Win Second Straight Pre-Season Game

Though released from the Oilers, Hoffman’s proven ability as a consistent goal scorer, with six seasons of 22 or more goals, makes it likely that he will find a new opportunity, whether in the NHL or overseas.

The Oilers have wished Hoffman the best in his future endeavors.

On Monday, the team, who is still a work in progress, came out with flying colors out of their second straight pre-season game, defeating the visiting Vancouver Canucks 3-2 with help from Leon Draisaitl who scored the shootout winner on a slapshot, alongside Corey Perry and Ben Gleason. 

Captain Connor McDavid commented on the result, explaining they wanted to get their “battle level up a little bit” while explaining the importance of getting “some rhythm and some camaraderie” in the context of them not having played much with their group. 

“They are just getting used to each other right now”, added head coach Kris Knoblauch, who also called the victory “a good first step”.