Former 1st overall picks son signs NHL contract

When Atlanta returned to the National Hockey League for the second time, they were awarded the first overall pick in the 1999 Entry Draft, which they used to select Patrik Stefan. Twenty-five years later, Stefan's son, twenty-year-old James Stefan, is hoping to forge a different path in the NHL, as the youngster has been signed as an undrafted free agent by the Edmonton Oilers.

The younger Stefan, born in Long Beach, California, has played Major Junior hockey in the Western Hockey League for the Portland Winter hawks where he amassed 242 points including 104 goals in 202 games played.


Along with arguably being the biggest bust in terms of first overall picks, Stefans father was famous for missing an empty net goal while playing for the Dallas Stars on January 4th, 2007. After turning the puck over, the Oilers raced down to the other end of the ice tying the game late. Lucky for Stefan the Stars won the game in a shootout.


When a young player gets an opportunity to play for a National Hockey League franchise there seems to be a certain level of pressure put on them to perform and being the son of a player who didn't necessarily pan out is likely worse. Hopefully the young Stefan gets an opportunity to prove whether or not he deserves the chance afforded to him and is able to play in the league for years to come.