There will be no shortage of University of Alberta connections in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, with 14 UofA Alumni, current and former staff members on the Edmonton Oilers roster.

Two Golden Bears Hockey Alumni — forward Derek Ryan and head coach Kris Knobluach — will play critical roles in the Oilers quest for a sixth Stanley Cup Championship, and first since 1990. Additionally, three Oilers coaches are University of Alberta Alumni, as are two athletic therapists, two hockey operations staff members, and the team's Neuropsychologist. 

In total, 22 UofA Alumni, current and former staff members, and Athletics staff work in some capacity with the Edmonton Oilers, including the Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG) and Katz Group. 

The 2024 Stanley Cup Final will begin on June 8th in Sunrise, Florida, with the Oilers meeting the Florida Panthers in a best-of-seven series. Edmonton will host Games 3 and 4 on June 13th and 15th, with a possible Game 6 scheduled for June 21st.  
 

Edmonton Oilers – Players, Coaches, and Team Staff

Derek Ryan, '11 BSc

• Ryan played four seasons with the Golden Bears Hockey program (2007-08 to 2010-11), helping the Bears capture the 2008 University Cup, and four-straight Canada West conference titles.
• Ryan was named the 2011 Canada West Player of the Year, and the 2009 Canada West Sportsmanship & Ability Award winner.
• Prior to joining the Oilers in 2021, Ryan spent time with the Carolina Hurricanes (2015-2018) and Calgary Flames (2018-2021).
• He is one of 14 Golden Bears Hockey alumni to play in the NHL.  

Kris Knoblauch, '04 BEd

• Knoblauch five seasons (1999-00 to 2003-04) with Golden Bears, winning the University Cup in 1999-00.
• He also helped lead the Golden Bears to four-straight Canada West titles from 2001-2004.
• Knoblauch assisted on Russ Hewson's 2000 University Cup winning goal in double overtime versus New Brunswick in Saskatoon.
• Prior to being named the head coach of the Edmonton Oilers earlier this season, Knoblauch spent time as the head coach of the WHL's Kootenay Ice (2010-12), OHL's Erie Otters (2012-17), AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack (2019-23), and as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Flyers (2017-19).

Dustin Schwartz, 04 BEd, 05 Dipl(Ed)

• Schwartz played five seasons (2000-01 to 2004-05) with the Golden Bears.
• He won the University Cup in 2005, and five-straight Canada West titles.
• Schwartz has been the Oilers Goaltending Coach since November 2014.

David Pelletier

• Pelletier served as a Golden Bears assistant coach for two seasons (2018-19 to 2019-20). He is currently serving as the Oilers Skating Coach.

TD Forss, '91 BPE, '94 MA

• Forss was the Golden Bears Hockey student trainer for three seasons (1990-91 to 1992-93).
• He was member of Golden Bears 1992 University Cup championship team.
• Forss is currently the Edmonton Oilers Head Athletic Therapist.

Joel Jackson, '11 BSc, '15 MSc

• Jackson was the Strength & Conditioning Coach for Golden Bears and Pandas Hockey for nine seasons (2012-13 to 2020-21).
• He was a member of the Golden Bears University Cup championship teams in 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2017-18. Jackson is now in his third season as the Oilers Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach.

Dr. Dhiren Naidu

• Dr. Naidu is the Team physician for the Edmonton Oilers.
• He is an associate professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the U of A. He also works at HealthPointe Medical Centre, a multidisciplinary musculoskeletal clinic specializing in chronic injury.
• Dr. Naidu is also the team physician for the Golden Bears Football team, one of the lead physicians for Golden Bears and Pandas Athletics, and is the team physician for the Edmonton Elks.

Dr. Martin Mrazik, '89 Bsc, '94 MEd

• Dr. Mrazik is a Neuropsychologist with the Edmonton Oilers, Edmonton Elks, and formerly with FC Edmonton. He is the concussion lead for Golden Bears and Pandas Athletics.
• Dr. Mrazik is a Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Alberta, and holds two degrees from the U of A.
• He also serves as a clinical neuropsychologist and consult with the sports medicine physicians about sports concussions. He is one of the team members on the Complex Concussion Team.

Michael Parkatti, '04 BCom

• Parkatti is the Senior Director, Data & Analytics for the Edmonton Oilers. Working closely with the hockey operations department, he leads the operation of the analytics staff and provides valuable insight-driven recommendations.
• He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta, a Master's of Science in Operations Research from the London School of Economics, and a Master's of Science in Analytics from Georgia Tech.

Justin Mahe, '11 BCom

• Mahe is the Manager of Hockey Analytics for the Edmonton Oilers.

Jeff Cubos

• Cubos is a consulting chiropractor for the Edmonton Oilers. He has worked with the Golden Bears & Pandas Track & Field program, providing service within the Athletics Varsity Health spaces and at Track & Field meets.

Stephen Lines

• Lines is the massage therapist for the Edmonton Oilers. He has worked with the Golden Bears & Pandas Track & Field program, providing service within the Athletics Varsity Health spaces and at Track & Field meets.

Chris Davie, '99 BPE

• Davie is an Assistant Athletic Therapist with the Edmonton Oilers. While Davie never formally worked for Golden Bears and Pandas Athletics, he has been involved in several teaching courses with Athletics and Varsity Health Staff.

Donovan Orr, '10 BPE

• Orr is one of the Athletic Therapists for Edmonton Oilers, having joined the team in 2021.
• He previously worked for Golden Bears and Pandas Athletics in the Varsity Health Clinic, at Saville Community Sports Centre, and closely with Golden Bears Football.
• Donovan was also an assistant athletic therapist with the Edmonton Elks from 2014-2021.

 

Oilers Entertainment Group Inc. (OEG)

Daryl Katz, '82 BA, '85 LLB

• Katz is the Owner, Chairman, Governor, of OEG Inc. He began building what is now OEG Inc. (formerly Oilers Entertainment Group) in 2008. Today, OEG Inc. is a North American leader in sports and entertainment, and hospitality. OEG Inc. houses OEG Sports & Entertainment (OEGSE), a portfolio that includes the iconic Edmonton Oilers franchise, along with the AHL Bakersfield Condors, the WHL Edmonton Oil Kings, the world's best entertainment venues and events, including Rogers Place, ICE District Plaza and the Fan Park, an industry-leading community foundation and the film production company, Dark Castle Entertainment.
• Daryl graduated from the University of Alberta's Faculty of Law in 1985.

Colleen Cebuliak, '91 BCom, 94 LLB

• Colleen Cebuliak is Senior Vice President, and General Counsel for OEG Inc., overseeing all legal, regulatory and insurance risk matters for the company.

Jason Quilley, '95 BCom

• Jason Quilley serves in an expanded role as EVP Finance for OEG and provides strategic business and finance leadership across OEG and Katz Group. He is responsible for financial, legal, insurance risk management and corporate procurement services, while providing overall leadership and execution for OEG's financial and shared service operations.

Tim Shipton, '99 BA

• Tim Shipton expanded his role as EVP, OEG Communications & Gaming in May 2021. He is responsible for all OEG and Katz Group communications, corporate affairs & government relations, the EOCF & hockey programming. He is also responsible for WIN50, sports betting & gaming, and OEG's digital subscription strategy.

Bob Stauffer

• Stauffer joined the Oilers radio broadcast team in 2008. He spent 13 seasons as the play-by-play voice for the University of Alberta Golden Bears hockey and football teams, calling six CIS University Cup national hockey championships.
• He also served as the Communications Officer and Broadcast Director for the University of Alberta's Department of Athletics for eight seasons (2000-2008).

Ryan Williams, 04 BSc PT

• Completed his sport physio certification thru the PT fellowship with GB Football team;  he also worked for Athletics clinically for a season.

 

Katz Group 

Brad Gilewich, '95 BCom

• Brad is President, Katz Group, reporting to Founder and Chairman, Daryl Katz. Brad is responsible for oversight of the Katz Group business investment portfolio and works closely with the executive leadership teams in OEG Inc. and KGRE.

Fabio Guarducci, '82 BA(Spec), '85 LLB

• Fabio is President, KGRE. Fabio is responsible for oversight of the construction of the new Canadian Western Bank Tower, planning for Phase 2 and The Village at ICE District north of Rogers Place, and the management and leasing of SKY Residences, SKY Signature Suites and Legends Private Residences. Fabio will also lead the KGRE team that will collaborate with our affiliate OEG Sports & Entertainment in respect of the oversight management responsibilities for the ICE District Plaza, JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District, ICE District Central Parkade and OEG Headquarters.