Arizona Coyotes Spotlight: Jordan Oesterle seeking fresh start

After getting a sense of a full-time NHL spot with the Chicago Blackhawks, 26-year-old defenseman will look to go all out in a fresh start with the Arizona Coyotes.

Acquired in the seven-player trade with the Chicago Blackhawks earlier in the offseason, the Arizona Coyotes acquired defenseman Jordan Oesterle — who after struggling with the Edmonton Oilers his first few years in the league, got his first real taste of the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Blackhawks last season, and is looking forward to a fresh start with a young and promising Coyotes squad.

In his first few years in the NHL, Oesterle spent the better part in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Oilers AHL Affiliate, Bakersfield Condors (previously the Oklahoma City Barons), recording a career-best 32 points in 2016-17 with the Condors.

Depending on how he performs during training camp, Oesterle has the opportunity to join a Coyotes defense that found success late last season, while also being able to add onto his own skill set to the roster.

Background

Born in Dearborn, Michigan, Oesterle worked up the ranks until he was able to play for his home-state Western Michigan Broncos (2011-2013)  where he played 34 games for the Broncos before getting called up to the Condors for his first four professional games in the AHL.

Oesterle made his NHL debut in the 2014-15 season with the Edmonton Oilers, where he played six games during the season for the Oilers but spent most of his time with Oklahoma City playing 65 games, and recording 25 points in the season.

Oesterle continued to make NHL appearances with the Oilers during 2015 and 2016, but continued to spend most of his time in the AHL with the relocated Bakersfield Condors.

Signed as a free agent by the Blackhawks on July 1, 2017, Oesterle was able to get his first taste of a real NHL position, as Oesterle played 55 games with the Blackhawks recording 15 points.

What he can bring to the Coyotes

Oesterle is a solid two-way puck-moving defenseman who plays a steady game from the blue line. Despite his size,  Oesterle has the ability to go largely unnoticed due to being able to limit his mistakes on the ice.

Where can he improve?

Standing at 6 foot, 182 pounds Oesterle does not have the ideal size of a defenseman in the National Hockey League, and on top of that, his physicality is lacking. Known as a puck-moving defenseman, Oesterle does have limitations in terms of offensive production and will act more as a depth defenseman for the Coyotes.