In a first-year journalism class, I was tasked with profiling a media organization I might want to work for one day.Standing at the front of the lecture hall in front of my fellow students, I gushed about a relatively new outlet called The Athletic, how it produced the best sports journalism and why it was a place I could see myself in the not-too-distant future.By “not too distant,” I’d have handicapped it at more than five years away, certainly long after I graduated from university. But sometimes life comes at you fast. Indeed, I’ve swapped my home province of Ontario for the “Wild Rose Country” of Alberta and joined The Athletic to cover one of the NHL’s most fascinating stories: the Edmonton Oilers.Following stops covering the Ottawa Senators and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL, I get to cover the team with arguably the most urgent win-now mission in the entire NHL. With a core in its late prime years and a controversial yet accomplished coach brought in to get them over the hump, the Oilers are at an inflection point.For readers, that should mean no shortage of stories, analysis and insight from The Athletic.It’s both incredibly exciting and a little daunting. This is a team that was on the cusp of Stanley Cup glory in 2024 and 2025, armed with the world’s best player in Connor McDavid and blessed with one of the richest histories of any NHL franchise. I also know how much a winning team matters to this city.I consider myself extremely fortunate to now work alongside many of the best sportswriters in the business. I won’t rest in my pursuit to match — and hopefully elevate — the excellent standard they’ve set.I expect a lot from myself, and my goal is to deliver quality, in-depth storytelling. I want to tell original stories about the players and people around the Oilers organization. Some of my favourite stories centre on unusual pregame rituals, battles against adversity and feel-good triumphs. I also plan to pair that with analysis that situates the small and mundane moments of the season in a bigger context. As a guiding principle, all of my work will be anchored by a commitment to balanced and fair reporting around the biggest stories in Oil Country.Covering the Oilers is an incredible opportunity. I do not take it for granted, and I credit my family, friends, colleagues, professors and readers for getting me here. Oilers fans, I can’t wait to get started.As an appetizer, here are the storylines I’m most excited to cover in the 2026-27 season: