Noel Hoefenmayer signs entry-level contract with Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers have signed defenseman Noel Hoefenmayer to a one-year entry-level contract worth $845,000.

Hoefenmayer just completed his first AHL season, scoring 11 goals, 38 points and 114 penalty minutes in 65 games with the Toronto Marlies. He had 40 points in 46 ECHL games the year before, and has 47 points in 91 AHL games overall, all with the Marlies.

This is the first NHL deal for Hoefenmayer, who made his mark as a two-way defender with the Ottawa 67s. The Arizona Coyotes drafted him in 2017, but he wasn’t when his rights were up in 2019, leaving the Marlies to sign him to a minor league deal in 2020-21.

The Oilers have $4.775 million in available cap space with eight defensemen signed. Evan Bouchard and Ryan McLeod are both set for new deals as RFAs. with Bouchard expected to get a solid raise on his new contract.