Edmonton Oilers hire Michael Parkatti as Senior Director of Data and Analytics

The Edmonton Oilers organization announced Thursday that they have hired Michael Parkatti as Senior Director of data and analytics.

“Working closely with the hockey operations department, Parkatti will lead the creation & operation of a new analytics department, providing insight-driven recommendations for the team,” the club said in a statement.

It was just last month that Oilers CEO Jeff Jackson promised innovation and a change to the team. Parkatti will lead the creation and operation of the Oilers new analytics department.

Parkatti is a very knowledgeable asset to the Oilers club. He has spent years tracking data and analytics, building a reputation for himself on Twitter and online in blog columns, and developing industry-standard metrics such as expected goals. Parkatti had previously provided the club with consultancy services from 2013 to 2015 after winning the Oilers-sponsored Analytics Hackathon.

Parkatti most recently worked for oil and gas company Suncor Energy in Calgary, Alberta, at their head office, where he oversaw advanced analytics within the company. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta, a Master of Science in Operations Research from the London School of Economics, and a Master of Science in Analytics from Georgia Tech.

With the addition of Parkatti and an entire analytics department it leaves many fans in Edmonton very excited for the upcoming season and what could transpire with some new hockey minds in the organization.

Oilers training camp is officially underway, and the club will play their first pre-season game on Sunday, Sept. 24, against the Winnipeg Jets. The 2023-24 season will officially get going on Oct. 11 when the Oilers talked on the Vancouver Canucks.