2024 Edmonton Oilers prospects
#12 W Shane LaChance
To keep on winning in the playoffs, the Edmonton Oilers are going to need a steady supply of young forwards who can step into the NHL and not break the salary cap bank.
The Oil were counting on a number of skilled forwards last year, Xavier Bourgault, Ty Tullio, Carter Savoie and Matvey Petrov to name four, but all their games went sideways in Bakersfield last season. Maybe Edmonton will now do better in the grinder department, as they have a number of bigger, more rugged forward prospects in the system, including one Shane LaChance, 6-feet, 5-inches, 220-pounds.
Last season at Boston University, LaChance, who turns 21 next week, road shotgun on a line with phenom Macklin Celebrini, the #1 pick in the NHL draft. LaChance put up a solid 27 points in 40 games.
Is it possible that LaChance can continue to trend up now that Celebrini has turned pro? Can he have a big year, maybe even earn an Entry Level Contract and start his pro apprenticeship in Bakersfield? Perhaps even ride shotgun on a line with a skilled Edmonton Oilers attacker or two one day?
He’s a long shot, taken in the sixth round of the 2021 draft, but if he pans out that would go some way in redeeming the draft record of former top scout Tyler Wright in his time with the Edmonton Oilers.
When he was drafted, Dave Gregory of Central Scouting said of LaChance, “Amazing hands in tight quarters. Very good net-front guy. Hockey sense is good in all areas.”
And E.J. Hradek of NHL.com: “Gets to the net, can really get into those tight areas and make things happen. The question mark for Shane will be, can his skating improve to the point where those other things make a difference.”
And Steve Kournianos, The Draft Analyst: “A hulking winger who dominates the low slot, Lachance is a physical yet soft-mitted power winger who proved to be too overpowering for his circuit… Whether he’s hitting in open ice or mashing a defender into the boards, Lachance impacts shifts without blinding speed.”
This past month NHL.com ranked LaChance as the fifth top prospect in the Oilers system. The Cult of Hockey has him ranked 12th this year, up from 17th last year, and 27th the year before.
What’s to like? His bloodlines, for one. He’s the son of former NHLer Scott LaChance and the grandson of legendary Boston University hockey coach Jack Parker.
His junior coach at Youngstown of the USHL, Ryan Ward, said of him in 2023: “He’s an unbelievable person, unbelievable player and unbelievable leader. When I needed him to get on my side and ride guys he did it and he’s honestly been just an extension of our coaching staff… His teammates respect him and that kid has a bright future ahead of him.”
“He’s a very intelligent hockey player,” Boston University coach Jay Pandolfo told Gerry Moddejonge of NHL.com. “He understands his identity as a player and what makes him successful. He’s a big body, he understands how to use his size and that he needs to be strong on the puck and on the walls. He needs to make sure he gets to the net.
“And he’s intelligent. He has a high hockey IQ where he can really play with anyone in your lineup. We saw that this year. We used him in all sorts of different roles, and toward the end, obviously found his way to play on the top line with the best player in college hockey. He fit in really nicely because he has the hockey IQ to play with him.”
The Athletic’s Corey Pronman said of LaChance: “He’s a huge winger with very good hands, but his skating is rough.”
And Bruce Curlock of Oilers Nation: “LaChance definitely has that one translatable skill scouts try to find in prospects. His unique ability to score from distance and from net front really makes him a compelling prospect.”
“He’ll stay in school and depending on his year, we’ll see,” Edmonton’s new top scout Rick Pracey told NHL.com’s Derek Van Diest this season. “With this particular prospect, we’re going year by year. With his size, skill set and potential, we’re real excited about his development path.”
Expectations for 2024-25: This year LaChance has been named co-captain of the Boston University Terriers, the first sophomore to ever have that honour. The goal for the player should be to play in all game situations and try to up his points scoring without Celebrini at his side. “He’ll stay in school and depending on his year, we’ll see,” Edmonton’s new top scout Rick Pracey told NHL.com’s Derek Van Diest this summer. “With this particular prospect, we’re going year by year. With his size, skill set and potential, we’re real excited about his development path.”
At the Cult of Hockey
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