Scouting shakeup: Oilers make big change at the director level

Aug 22 2023, 9:03 pm

The Edmonton Oilers have made a significant change to their scouting department.

The team announced Tuesday that they have parted ways with Director of Amateur Scouting Tyler Wright, who was hired back in 2019.

At the same time, the team also revealed Wright’s replacement, naming Rick Pracey the new director of amateur scouting.

Pracey, a seasoned scout with over two decades of experience, steps into this role after his recent stint as an amateur scout with the Philadelphia Flyers. Hailing from Hamilton, Ontario, Pracey spent 13 years with the Colorado Avalanche, where he held the position of director of amateur scouting for six seasons from 2008 to 2014.

During his tenure with the Avalanche, Pracey played a pivotal role in shaping the roster, spearheading selections that introduced star players like Nathan MacKinnon, Matt Duchene, Gabriel Landeskog, Ryan O’Reilly, and Tyson Barrie.

Before becoming a scout, Pracey was a goaltender for Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Windsor for five seasons before venturing into the UHL in 1997-98. After hanging up his skates, he transitioned into coaching, lending his expertise as a goaltender coach with the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires in 2000.

ADVERTISEMENT