As the Edmonton Oilers strive to defeat the Dallas Stars and advance to the Stanley Cup Final, their activities off the ice remain steady. In a recent announcement from the team, they’ve appointed Kalle Larsson as the Senior Director of Player Development.
The Oilers have announced the addition of Kalle Larsson as Senior Director of Player Development, with him also set to be involved with the Bakersfield Condors.
In his new role, Larsson will work closely with senior management and coaches of both the Oilers and the Bakersfield Condors. His responsibilities include overseeing the development of the organization’s draft picks and negotiating contracts with prospects.
Originally from Gothenburg, Sweden, Larsson brings extensive experience spanning over two decades, primarily in the USHL. Notably, he spent nine seasons with the Dubuque Fighting Saints, serving in various capacities such as director of player personnel, general manager, and president of hockey operations.
Larsson’s tenure with the Fighting Saints was marked by consistent success, with the team never finishing below .500 during his time there and consistently making the playoffs. Despite their recent loss to the Fargo Force in the Clark Cup Championship, the Fighting Saints finished atop the Eastern Conference in the last season.
Interestingly, Larsson wasn’t actively seeking a new position, as he was content with his role at the Fighting Saints. However, circumstances led him to join the Oilers, with Larsson expressing appreciation for the organic process and alignment of ideas between himself and the Oilers’ management.
Discussing his objectives with the Oilers, Larsson emphasized the comprehensive nature of his role, focusing on maximizing each player’s potential to become an NHL player, regardless of whether they are drafted prospects or part of the NHL team. While not directly involved in on-ice activities, Larsson’s approach will be strategic, aiming to measure and enhance player development effectively.
Additionally, Larsson’s background includes playing as a center for four seasons with the Lawrence University Vikings in NCAA III. Brett Wall, the current head coach of the Vikings, expressed pride in Larsson’s achievements and anticipated his significant impact on the Oilers organization.
