A Look To This Season

 It has been a roller coaster off-season for the MOB. Even though we are still about a month away from training camp, the 2025/26 roster is slowly starting to take shape. Fort McMurray could have around 15 returners from last season. This can give the Barons an edge on some other teams. Let's take a peak at the how the Oil Barons could look heading into the new campaign.

Forwards

With ten returning forwards, there will be plenty of competition for roster spots. Dustin Good, Drew Freer and Ryan Arnold will be leaned on to lead the charge as overagers this year. When healthy, Good can be dynamic in all situations, Freer brings plenty of leadership qualities with almost 140 games of WHL experience, while Arnold has the most points out of any Oil Baron. The biggest key is how big of a step will the second year players take. Cade Petersen and Leo Adams will be looking to be contributors on a nightly basis. Can Griffin Gidney, Reis Nyland and Nolan Eastwood become every day grinders who wear down the opposing team? Does Trennen Redlick make the Spokane Chiefs, or will he return to provide Fort McMurray a true power forward? Then there are the rookies. Local kids Cash Brebant and Jaggar John will attempt to make their respective WHL squads. If they don't, they will play with their hometown team. If they are in Fort McMurray, how much of an impact will they make and how much of an opportunity will they receive? Evan Benoit may be the most explosive of the rookies. The Calgary product has tons of hockey IQ and improves his line-mates each shift. He could be the Oil Barons first Rookie of the Year since 1997. Chase Campbell will look to become a reliable center, while TJ Terpsma has junior A experience and can fit into any role. The biggest x-factor for the MOB is the status of Justin Dumais. The Longueuil, Quebec will attempt to make a QMJHL team, but if he doesn't, he will return to potentially give Fort McMurray the scariest top line in the AJHL. That said, it is expected he will be playing major junior hockey this season.

Benoit - Petersen - Arnold

Adams - John - Good

Gidney - Brebant - Freer

Nyland - Campbell - Eastwood

Terpsma - Redlick

Defence

Fort McMurray's defence will be full of veterans. With potentially five returning players, the Barons are looking for the unit to be the backbone of the team. Patani Mutambo hopes his sophomore campaign will see him move into the top two defenders on the team. With the potential of quarterbacking Fort McMurray's power-play, Mutambo will be the biggest threat offensively from the defence. Spencer Kunz is the best skater on the team. His ability to read the play, plus his leadership qualities, makes Kunz one of the top defenders on the MOB. Cody Nordstrom and Willem Terwoord will be used to instill fear in opposing team offences. Any time they are on the ice, opponents will need to take note, or risk seeing their best players get run over. Jason Walia is an interesting piece. The Edmonton product show flashes of offensive ability, while also playing with a bit of snarl. If his foot speed has improved and if he shows a bit of maturity, he will be an everyday player with the ability to grow into one of the league's best in 2026/27. The three rookies who signed LOI's are all intriguing. Ben Morton could be on a similar trajectory as Mutambo. Morton is a smooth skater with the ability to create plays offensively. He could force his way into the lineup on a regular basis. Ben Albers adds size and more bite to an already intimidating defence. Meanwhile, Maclean Leonard is a steady defender who does all the little things right. Not only is the Barons defence set for this season, the future is bright too.

Mutambo - Kunz

Walia - Nordstrom

Terwoord - Morton

Albers - Leonard

Goalies

This is the Oil Barons biggest question mark. What we know is that Sergio Davidson signed his letter of intent to join the team. The Portland Winterhawks prospect has championship pedigree, athleticism off the charts, and the ability to be five steps ahead of any play. For a 2008-born prospect, the time is a little early for Davidson to be a starter. So who will be the starting goaltender? In an alternate reality, it would either be Noah Nelson or Jason Tremblay, but Fort McMurray moved on from both of them last year. Ideally, a veteran with major junior experience would be available. Maybe Rhett Stoesser with the Kelowna Rockets, or Alex Garrett with Wenatchee. Maybe the Barons go back to the QMJHL and get Mathys Routhier from Baie-Comeau, or Cedric Masse at Val d'Or. There is the off chance the MOB goes with two rookies. Possibly Berney Weston, who is battling for a spot in Swift Current, or a very young but extremely confident Oliver Bryks. Whatever decision the Oil Barons come to, goaltending could make or break their season.

Veteran to be named

Davidson

Conclusion

After a dramatic period from late April through early May, Fort McMurray has set a direction for their franchise. With Sam Klassen returning to the team, he can build the systems that he wants to run. With him adding the General Manager role, he can have the players he wants to execute those systems. One massive plus for Fort McMurray is the number of returning players. Young men who will build the culture of the new program. The number of returning players could also put the Barons in contention for a North Division title. The only thing that may hold them back is goaltending. The sooner they sort that out, the more likely they are to have a successful season. Something not experienced since 2020/21.