FUTURE WATCH: Schaefer hat trick highlights strong prospect starts

EDMONTON, AB -Reid Schaefer just can't stop scoring goals.
The Oilers top pick in the 2022 NHL Draft (32nd overall) had continued his red-hot start to his Western Hockey League season, picking up a hat trick on Tuesday night in the Seattle Thunderbirds 6-3 victory over the Prince George Cougars.
Schaefer showed off both his quick release and his smooth hands around the net in the game's first period, one timing a quick shot from the slot for the Thunderbirds second goal of the game. The 6-foot-4 forward later notched his second of the period, collecting a rebound in front of Cougars goalie Tyler Brennan and swiftly backhanding the puck past the sprawling keeper.
The Oilers prospect would cap off the evening for the Thunderbirds with an empty netter for the hat trick.
The 19-year-old is currently tied for the WHL lead in goals with exceptional status top prospect Connor Bedard, with 13 goals in 10 games. The Edmonton product is well on his way to eclipsing the 32 goals Schaefer scored as a draft eligible winger last season.

MORE PROSPECT NOTES

Undrafted college free agent Noah Philp recorded his first American Hockey League goal on Wednesday, scoring the Bakersfield Condors first goal in their 3-2 win over the San Diego Gulls.
The former University of Alberta Golden Bear was signed by the Oilers last April after two seasons with the U-Sports club, recording 20 goals and 18 assists in 36 games.
Oilers defensive prospect Luca Munzenberger is off to a strong start to his college hockey season. The 2021 third-round pick (90-overall) has recorded four assists in the University of Vermont's first six games, eclipsing his point total from all of last season where he recorded just three assists in 32 games.
In the Ontario Hockey League, Oilers 2021 sixth-round pick (180-overall) Matvey Petrov currently leads the North Bay Battalion's offence with 14 points in the winger's first 11 games. The Moscow, Russia product is coming off a monster first season in the OHL where he recorded 40 goals, 50 assists (90 points) in 63 games.