DRAFT: A look back at the 2021 Oilers draft class

EDMONTON, AB - The Oilers are set to announce the next generation of prospects to join the organization from July 7-8 in Montreal, but before that takes place we're looking back at the most recent group to have their names called by the team on draft day.
Last year, NHL scouts had to navigate as difficult a draft situation as can be remembered. Due to the pandemic, many junior hockey players were forced into abbreviated or even missed seasons during a crucial development period.
The Oilers entered the 2021 NHL Draft with five picks -- having parted ways with their second-round selection in a deadline deal for Andreas Athanasiou, their third-round pick in the Milan Lucic-James Neal trade, and their fifth-round pick as a result of the Tyler Ennis acquisition.
General Manager and President of Hockey Operations Ken Holland was able to recoup a third-round pick on draft day, trading down two spots in the first round with the Minnesota Wild to end up with six selections in 2021.
Here is a look back at everyone who became a member of the Oilers in last year's draft:

Round 1 (22nd overall): Xavier Bourgault, C, Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)
The Oilers traded down while still getting their man in Xavier Bourgault, and the forward has not disappointed. The 19-year-old lit up the QMJHL to the tune of 75 points (36G, 39A) in only 43 games. The 6-foot centre continued his torrid pace into the post-season, notching 12 goals and 22 points in 16 games while leading the Cataractes to a Presidents Cup victory.
The L'Islet, Quebec product finished the 2022 Memorial Cup tied for second in scoring with seven points in four games, but the Cataractes fell just short of claiming the championship. In all, it would be hard to argue that Bourgault didn't at least meet or exceed expectations in his post-draft season.
Outside of an injury sustained while playing for Team Canada at the World Juniors and a blip in the schedule due to the pandemic, the year couldn't have gone more to plan for the Oilers first selection in 2021.
Round 3 (90th overall): Luca Munzenburger, D, University of Vermont (NCAA)
The hulking defenceman out of Dusseldorf, Germany was a bit of an unknown for some coming out of the draft, but the 19-year-old made some strides in his post-draft season. Munzenburger played under Oilers Head Coach Jay Woodcroft's brother Todd at the University of Vermont in '21-22.
While his scoring numbers don't come across as overly impressive with three assists in 32 games, the defenceman played significant minutes as one of the youngest players on an offensively starved roster where the leading scorer had 16 points in 35 games.
Munzenburger had the chance to impress while at the 2022 World Juniors with Germany, where he recorded a goal and an assist in two games before the tournament was halted. The defenceman will still have a few years to develop at the NCAA level before getting his shot with the Blue & Orange.
Round 4 (116th overall): Jake Chiasson, RW, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
It was a tough start to the year for the Oilers fourth-round selection, when the winger injured his shoulder while attending training camp in September. The injury was severe enough to require surgery and derailed the majority of his '21-22 season. However, Chiasson was able to return late in the year for the Wheat Kings, recording 18 points (6G, 12A) in 20 games. Chiasson will in all likelyhood return to the WHL for his 19-year-old season for a full year of evaluation.

Round 6 (180th overall): Matvey Petrov, LW, North Bay Battalion (OHL)
Early returns on the Moscow, Russia product have been nothing but exceptional. Petrov finished his draft-plus-one season ninth in the Ontario Hockey League in scoring with 90 points (40G, 50A) on the year. A 6-foot-2 right-shot forward, Petrov has already signed his ELC with the Oilers and has represented Russia at the World U-18 Championship.
Due to his international status, Petrov is eligible for both a return to the OHL or a jump to the professional ranks with the Bakersfield Condors in the AHL for the next step in his development in '22-23. Regardless of where he plays, Petrov is a name for Oilers fans to get excited about moving forward.
Round 6 (186th overall): Shane LaChance, LW, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
The Andover, Massachusetts product is the second of the two Oilers 2021 sixth-round picks. LaChance is blessed with both size and a National Hockey League pedigree, with his dad Scott playing over 800 games as a former fourth-overall pick in 1991. The 6-foot-5 winger played with the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL last season, alongside a potential top-50 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft in Adam Ingram. LaChance finished sixth on his team in scoring, registering 11 goals and 23 points in 55 games, and is set to join Boston University next season.
Round 7 (212th overall) Maximus Wanner, D, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
The Oilers final selection in 2021, Wanner was a steady presence on the blue line for the Moose Jaw Warriors last season. The rearguard recorded 23 points (6G, 17A) in 55 games with the Warriors, but stepped his game up in the WHL playoffs with seven points in nine post-season appearances.
The Estevan, Saskatchewan native projects as a shutdown defenceman with good size, currently listed at 6-foot-3. He will likely return to the Warriors next year and man a back end with Minnesota Wild 2020 third-round pick Daemon Hunt and projected 2022 first-round selection Denton Mateychuk.