Holloway signs with Oilers but remains out after surgery

2020 first-round pick still recovering from thumb injury suffered in college game

Dylan Holloway has left the classroom at the University of Wisconsin for a different version of higher learning — his first pro contract with the Edmonton Oilers.

So, two thumbs up for the 2020 first-round pick — although one of those thumbs is surgically repaired after he damaged his hand a month ago when it got jammed against the boards in a game against Penn State.

Holloway's three-year NHL entry-level contract doesn't start until 2021-22 because of his thumb injury, so he won't be joining the Oilers for the playoffs as one of their black aces.

But there's a slim chance the 19-year-old college sophomore, who was majoring in personal finance, could sign an American Hockey League amateur tryout agreement to play in Bakersfield, Calif., as former Northeastern University defenceman Michael Kesselring did with the Oilers a few weeks back.

The Condors' season ends

May 16. The team is rolling behind the No. 1 line of Cooper Marody, Tyler Benson and Ryan Mcleod, all top-10 in league scoring. There's no word whether the AHL will have a playoff session in this COVID -19 season.

Holloway, who had 35 points (fifth in NCAA scoring) in 23 games playing for Tony Granato at the University of Wisconsin, made the final 10 in voting for the NCAA'S Hobey Baker Award. He played centre at school but likely factors as an Oilers left-winger.

With the Oilers small on the left side and with Dominik

Kahun and Tyler Ennis's contracts up at the end of the season, the 203-pound teenager has a fair shot at making the team next season, although he is only 19.

He was used all over the place with Andre Tourigny's Canadian world junior squad, including on the penalty kill and in more of a defensive role. But he broke out at school in a big way.

Holloway's college teammate, Cole Caufield, also a first-round pick ( by Montreal), won the Hobey Baker and signed with the Habs. Did that have a bearing on Holloway's pro decision? Holloway could have returned to school and maybe been captain at Wisconsin in the fall.

“Not really. Cole was unbelievable this year (30 goals in 31 games) and he was ready to make the step. He's done really well in the AHL (three goals in two games) and is up with their Montreal taxi squad. But I wasn't influenced by anybody else,” said Holloway, who liked what he heard from Oilers general manager Ken Holland, though.

“When you're talking to the GM and he says that he thinks you're ready for pro, it makes you feel pretty good,” said Holloway, who would rather not have broken his hand, obviously.

“It was the first shift against Penn State. I was forechecking and my hand got caught on the boards. Just a little play. I've been hit a lot harder than that. Next day, I couldn't squeeze my hand, though. I was able to play with a cast later but turned out I broke it. Had surgery about three days after we were eliminated (NCAA tournament in Round 1).

“My hand was in a hard cast. Getting slashed didn't hurt it because it was like a club for a hand. But I couldn't stickhandle very well, just kind of shoved the puck at the net,” said Holloway.

As a finance major, he's able to comprehend the dollar signs on his three-year deal. He has no plans to buy himself anything right now but he might cast a wider net with his dad.

“I might buy him a new fly rod,” he said. “He's a big fly fisher.”