NHL Debut: Josh Samanski (January, 26th, 2026)
Published on January 27, 2026 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Owen Sound Attack News Release
Josh Samanski is set to make his NHL debut tonight with the Edmonton Oilers.
The 23-year-old forward has appeared in 39 games this season with the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL, recording 28 points (7-21-28) while serving as a top-six centre. Samanski is projected to slot in at centre on the Oilers' third line.
"It's obviously awesome," Samanski said pre-game on Monday. "I'm very excited to get things started and just experience my first game. You always want an opportunity, so I'm very happy to get the chance and I'm looking forward to showcasing my skills."
This season marks Samanski's first professional campaign in North America after spending the previous four years with the Straubing Tigers of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).
"Coming back to North America was a bit of a learning curve at first," he said. "But from the staff to the players, everyone did a great job helping me adjust. I felt comfortable pretty quickly, and I think my two-way game has really improved."
Samanski went undrafted in both the OHL and NHL, and although being born in Germany, his Canadian heritage allowed him to join the Owen Sound Attack without taking up one of the team's two roster spots earmarked for imported players. He spent one year in the OHL, appearing in 54 games during the 2019-20 season where he recorded 20 points (4-15-20), before continuing his development in Europe. Edmonton signed him as a free agent to a two-year entry-level contract on April 2, 2025. His brother, Noah, has appeared in a dozen games this season for the WHL's Wenatchee Wild.
Along with an NHL call-up, his strong play has also earned him a spot alongside new Oilers teammate Leon Draisaitl on Team Germany's roster for next month's 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 27, 2026
- Rangers Move into Top Spot in Western Conference with Eighth Straight Victory - Kitchener Rangers
- Generals Drop Tight One to Frontenacs on Retro Night - Oshawa Generals
- Matthew Frost Sparks Frontenacs Win Tuesday - Kingston Frontenacs
- OHL Cup Top 10 Rankings - Week 9: Mississauga Senators Climb to Season-High Fourth Spot - OHL
- Jared Langdon Signs Standard Player Agreement with Attack for 2025-26 Season - Owen Sound Attack
- Fronts this Week: Frontenacs Have a Pair of Home Games as the Schedule Gets Busier - Kingston Frontenacs
- NHL Debut: Josh Samanski (January, 26th, 2026) - Owen Sound Attack
- Windsor Spitfires to Host Mental Health Awareness Game in Partnership with CMHA Windsor-Essex - Windsor Spitfires
- Two Days Later, the Frontenacs Are Ready to Hit the Road against the Generals - Kingston Frontenacs
- Colin Ellsworth Is the Paul Fendley Memorial Student Achievement Award Winner for December 2025 - Guelph Storm
- IceDogs Win Two Games in Two Nights - Niagara IceDogs
- Game Preview: Sarnia Sting at Kitchener Rangers - Kitchener Rangers
- Attack Set to Tangle with Midwest Division Leading Rangers - Owen Sound Attack
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