All Eyes On Holloway As Oilers Prospect Shines In AHL Debut

BAKERSFIELD, CA - The smile on his face late Saturday night at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield, Ca. said it all.

Dylan Holloway is just happy to be back playing hockey.

"I actually felt pretty tired, but I guess that's what happens when you don't play a game for nine months," said Holloway, 20, after making his professional debut for the American Hockey League Condors in a 4-3 win over San Jose. "But it's awesome. An awesome group of guys to make my pro debut with."

Holloway was drafted in the first round (14th overall) by the Edmonton Oilers in 2020 and many thought he would crack the Oilers lineup this past fall after putting up 35 points (11-24) in 23 games as a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin.

As it turned out, surgery late last March for a scaphoid injury on his left wrist suffered at Wisconsin did not heal properly which forced a second surgery, and a lengthy healing process.

Then, just when he was about to be cleared physically to play earlier this month, he was sidetracked by a bout with COVID-19.

"It definitely wasn't easy," Holloway said of coming back from his injury. "There were a lot of days where I was kind of grinding there. It just feels really, really good to be back."

His skill set was on full display Saturday as he had a pair of assists to help the ever-changing Condors (COVID and call ups) to a sixth straight win.

"I think it was a good start," Condors head coach Jay Woodcroft said of Holloway's performance. "He's been [away from] team play for almost a year, so for him to get out there in real action and play big minutes, he played big minutes tonight in most situations, for him to do that it's a credit to all the work he put in to make sure he's healthy. He's got to feel good about getting through the game and not worrying about injury."

Holloway, listed on the roster at 6-foot-1 and 203 pounds, nearly scored his first pro goal with just over five minutes left in the first period when he made a great move to deke around a defender, firing a shot from between the circles which was gloved by San Jose netminder Alexei Melnichuk.

His passing skills came to the forefront midway though the second period when his outlet pass sent James Hamblin streaking all alone into the San Jose zone for a goal as the Condors started their comeback from a 2-1 deficit.

Holloway had a secondary assist on a power-play goal by Adam Cracknell midway through the third to put Bakersfield up 4-2.

"I thought he made a lot of plays out there," Woodcroft said. "I think he's got a lot of gas in the tank and he's only going to get better. He's in a good spot to work on his game. I know when he's in our lineup he makes us a better team."

Holloway was signed to an NHL contract on April 16, 2021 and actually spent time with the Condors last year as they worked their way toward a Pacific Division title. He was able to skate, but not play.

"As tough as it is, you actually learn a lot watching," he said. "The pace and everything... turning pro from the NCAA level is a big jump up and the more you can watch and kind of dissect little things that players do helps in your game for sure."

Already considered an elite skater, being able to skate while recovering from his second surgery only helped him improve in that area.

"I had a great support system when I was up in Edmonton when I was recovering and rehabbing," he said, adding, "I owe a lot to my skating coach up there, David Pelletier. He's an unreal guy and a really good skating coach and he made the days go by a little bit quicker."

Holloway wants to get to the NHL as quickly as he can and the Oilers, who just snapped a horrendous stretch of hockey and a seven-game losing streak on Saturday with a 5-3 win over Calgary, could no doubt use a player with his skills.

But Holloway needs to be ready to take that next step. Getting into game shape and honing his skills in a low pressure situation is what he needs at this point, said Condors General Manager Keith Gretzky.

"He hasn't played in 10 months," Gretzky said. "You can see the elements he has in his game. He's a strong skater, strong on his feet. Great vision and he's physical. He's a good player."

"When he's ready and Ken (Holland, Edmonton GM) wants him, that's good for him. But he hasn't played in 10 months and we've done that before when guys have raced up ... it just takes time. It's a good spot being down here."

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