James Hamblin scores first NHL goal

The Edmonton native made his NHL debut with the Oilers during the 2022-23 season after two years spent playing in the AHL on a minor-league contract. Hamblin was passed over in the WHL draft and signed with the Bakersfield Condors in 2020 after scoring 92 points in 63 games in his final season with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL.

He scored 15 points in 38 games for the Condors in the shortened 2021 season and broke out the following year in 2021-22 with 21 goals and 35 points in 64 games. The Oilers signed Hamblin to a two-year, entry-level contract in March of 2022 while in the midst of that second season.

Hamblin was called up last November and made his NHL debut at home in a win over the Florida Panthers. He played 10 games before being sent back to the AHL and finished off 2022-23 with 10 goals and 28 points in 52 games for the Condors.

Hamblin started the 2023-24 season with the Condors and scored three goals and five points over six games before being called up to the Oilers as an injury replacement. This game against the Lightning is his sixth of the season and the goal is his first point in the NHL.