From Junior Oiler Blue to WHL Warrior and Edmonton Oilers Development Camp: Josh Banini Forges a True Hometown Path to Pro Ambitions

Edmonton, AB - For many young hockey players in Oil Country, the dream of wearing the iconic blue and orange NHL jersey starts early. For Edmonton's own Josh Banini, that dream has taken a significant step closer to reality. The former Junior Oilers Blue U18AAA goaltender and product of the Canadian Athletic Club (CAC) minor hockey system, who also recently completed a season with the WHL's Moose Jaw Warriors, has earned a coveted invitation to the Edmonton Oilers 2025 NHL Development Camp. Banini's journey is a vivid illustration of the pathway that is obtainable from the elite stream local minor hockey ranks to the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers.

Rooted in Edmonton Minor Hockey

Banini's hockey story is deeply rooted in his hometown. As an Edmonton resident, he spent his entire minor hockey career developing his skills within the Canadian Athletic Club. From the CAC Canadians U15AA and U15AAA teams to the U16AAA squad, his progression through the local system was marked by consistent growth and development.

Josh Banini himself reflects on this period: "Playing at CAC was a huge part of my development. Over the three years I spent there, I was able to build strong habits that prepared me for the next level. Every coach I worked with at CAC focused on creating a winning culture, which helped shape me both as a player and a person. I learned early on that nothing is given to me, everything is earned. Starting in U15AA, I worked to develop the habits and mindset that eventually helped me make the jump to the AAA level.” This foundational experience prepared him for the pinnacle of Edmonton's minor hockey elite: the Edmonton Jr. Oilers U18AAA program.

Rick McAdie, CAC President, praises Banini's character during his time with the club: "Josh was the player that had a smile on his face at all times. His great attitude, humor and love of the game beamed from him daily and was contagious with his teammates who loved him.”

A Standout with the Junior Oilers

During the 2023-2024 season with the Edmonton Jr. Oilers Blue U18AAA, Banini truly soared, solidifying his reputation as one of the province's top netminders. His remarkable performance earned him multiple prestigious accolades from the Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL). He was named the AEHL U18 Top Goaltender and earned a spot on the highly competitive AEHL U18 First All-Star Team. Banini led the entire league with an impressive .929 AEHL U18 Best Save Percentage. His stellar regular season saw him post

14 wins, 8 losses, and 2 ties in 25 games, complemented by a sharp 2.46 goals-against average and 3 shutouts.

Nathan Papirny, Junior Oilers Blue U18AAA Head Coach, raves about Banini's impact: "Coaching Josh Banini was an incredible ride every night. The swagger he brings to the rink is something you can't teach; he walks in with that confidence that lifts the whole room. His energy was contagious; guys feed off it, whether it’s in the room, on the bench, or out on the ice. He plays with that edge, that spark, and it just pulls people into the fight with him. He was the heartbeat out there."

Lee Zalasky, former CAC U16AAA Head Coach and current Junior Oilers Orange U18AAA Head Coach, reflects on Banini's consistent approach: "Josh always arrived with a great attitude: humble, open to feedback, and ready to learn. I remember him as someone who elevated the group with his positivity and team-first mindset, never resting on past successes, but always staying grounded and supportive. Essentially, he epitomized what it means to be an excellent athlete and even better teammate. Josh was our U16AAA Playoff MVP that 2021-22 Championship Season and the 'salt of the earth' type of person. I am truly excited for receiving this opportunity as I know he has worked every inch of it!”

Transition to Major Junior

Banini's talent did not go unnoticed on the major junior hockey landscape. He was originally drafted by the Moose Jaw Warriors in the eighth round (160th overall) of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft. While his 2023-24 season predominantly featured his award-winning efforts with the Junior Oilers Blue, he made his WHL debut with the Warriors in a relief appearance in September 2023.

His full transition to the WHL came in the 2024-25 season, where Banini played a significant role for the Moose Jaw Warriors. In 26 games, he recorded 3 wins, 17 losses, and 1 tie, maintaining a 4.00 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage. His time in Moose Jaw was highlighted by a spectacular first WHL start on October 11, 2024, where he made an astounding 48 saves in a 4-2 victory over the Everett Silvertips, earning him First Star honors and praise for one of the best goaltending debuts in Warriors' modern history. This performance also led to him being named WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending October 13, 2024. His popular rookie campaign was further recognized with the Yara Fans Choice Award at the Warriors' season-end awards night.

The Junior Oiler to Edmonton Oiler Progression

Banini's journey from a young CAC player, through his award-winning season with the Junior Oilers Blue, and his development with the Moose Jaw Warriors, to now participating in the Edmonton Oilers NHL Development Camp, perfectly embodies the envisioned Junior Oiler to Edmonton Oiler development. This invitation underscores the unique and groundbreaking partnership between the NHL's Edmonton Oilers and the grassroots Junior Oilers U18AAA program.

Pat Garland, OEG Director, Hockey Engagement & Alumni Relations, highlights the significance of Banini's invitation: "Josh’s invitation to the Edmonton Oilers Development Camp is a proud moment for everyone associated with the Jr. Oilers program. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication Josh has shown on and off the ice, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see a Jr. Oilers Alumni recognized at this level. The opportunity for a Jr. Oiler to take part in an NHL development camp reinforces the strength of the program and the support network around these young athletes. The Jr. Oilers program has seen remarkable growth in a short period of time, and Josh’s achievement reflects that momentum. We’re committed to creating meaningful development opportunities for minor hockey players, and it’s exciting to see that vision come to life in such a tangible way.”

This collaboration, the first of its kind in Canada, was specifically designed by Hockey Edmonton and OEG Sports and Entertainment to create an unparalleled development stream for elite local minor hockey talent. The Junior Oilers program offers its athletes direct access to "world-class NHL resources, opportunities, experiences, and relationships," actively building a seamless transition for homegrown prospects. The core vision of this program is to prioritize and support Edmonton resident players, providing them with a clear, affordable, and elite pathway right within their own city.

Josh Banini himself acknowledges the pivotal role of the program: "I owe so much to the Junior Oilers U18 AAA program; from the trainers, coaches, and management to the culture they built around us. During my time with Jr. Oilers Blue, I was fortunate to have a coach like Nathan Papirny, who genuinely believed in me and my potential. Being part of the inaugural season, our mission was to create a culture and establish an identity. We did that through the mindset of 'burning the boat’, going all in and leaving nothing to chance. That mentality still drives me today and has allowed me to grow and compete at an elite level. The Jr. Oilers program gave me everything I needed to take the next step into the Western Hockey League the following year. Wearing the Oilers logo is something every Edmonton kid takes pride in, and thanks to Hockey Edmonton and OEG Sports and Entertainment, my teammates and I had the opportunity to develop with first class tools and coaching as well as represent it through what I believe is the best U18 AAA program in Alberta.”

Josh Banini stands as a testament to this vision. His trajectory from a proud Edmonton native, developed within local Hockey Edmonton Athletic Clubs, excelling in the Junior Oilers program, making his mark in the WHL, and now on the cusp of the NHL, truly showcases how the city's commitment to nurturing its own talent can lead to the highest levels of the sport.

>> Learn more about the Hockey Edmonton Advantage and Elite Stream Structure here.