Oilers sign Damien Carfagna to entry-level contract

The Edmonton Oilers announced Monday that the club has signed defenseman Damien Carfagna to a two-year, entry-level contract set to begin in the upcoming 2025-26 campaign.

Through 38 appearances this season with the NCAA’s Ohio State Buckeyes, the six-foot rearguard collected seven goals and 21 assists to sit fifth in team scoring and second among defensemen with 28 points coupled with six penalty minutes and a plus-16 rating. In all, through three seasons in the collegiate ranks including his freshman campaign as part of the New Hampshire Wildcats, Carfagna collected 15 goals and 35 assists for 50 points through 107 career contests.

Prior to beginning his college career, Carfagna spent two seasons with the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers and Sioux City Musketeers from 2020-22. In his second season, split between the two squads, Carfagna combined for a career-high 48 points counting six goals and 42 assists coming in 61 games to earn a spot on the USHL’s Third All-Star Team. In the postseason, Carfagna then added two points through 10 appearances to help the Musketeers capture the Clark Cup. Through his two seasons in the USHL, the 22-year-old native of Wood Ridge, N.J., totaled 12 goals and 54 assists for 66 points in 111 career contests.

For the Oilers, on the season the club sits 42-26-5 and two points back of the Los Angeles Kings for second place in the Pacific Division. Following a 3-2 overtime victory over the rival Calgary Flames on Saturday, the Oilers will shoot for their second consecutive win when the club returns to the ice Tuesday to take on the Vegas Golden Knights. The Oilers have qualified for the postseason five years in a row underscored by a run to the Stanley Cup Final last spring before falling to the Florida Panthers in seven games.