Edmonton Oilers sign emergency replacement Matt Berlin to ATO with Stuart Skinner out

The Edmonton Oilers signed U Sports goaltender Matt Berlin to an amateur tryout contract as a substitute for the team’s Saturday game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Berlin will replace Jack Campbell as Stuart Skinner faces illness.

The 25-year-old is in his third season with the University of Alberta, posting a 4-0-1 record with a .892 save percentage with the Golden Bears. He shared the net with Brendan Burke in 2019-20 but has acted as a substitute since.

Alberta currently ranks second in Canada West behind the University of Calgary. The team’s starting goaltender is former Wheat Kings goaltender Brandon Ethan Kruger, while Nick Schneider – a former Calgary Flames system goaltender – has also spent time on the net. ‘Alberta.

Berlin spent three years in the WHL with Spokane, Seattle and Kootenay, posting a 23-18-8 record and was a substitute with Seattle when they won the 2017 WHL championship. He finished his career with the AJHL’s Sherwood Park Crusaders in 2018-19 before embarking on a school term with Alberta, where he won the U Sports Championship in 2021.

Berlin and Skinner carry bantam goalie partners with the SSAC Lions, a team that also included a high-scoring Tyler Benson.

Berlin will wear number 33 for the Oilers, last worn by Cam Talbot from 2016-2019.