Brad Holland, the assistant general manager for the Edmonton Oilers, has parted ways with the team, marking the end of the Holland family’s involvement with the franchise. The decision to mutually separate was recently announced, which appears to be in the best interest of both parties.
There had been speculation that Brad Holland might eventually succeed his father, Ken Holland, as the general manager of the Oilers. While it was unlikely he would take over directly from his father, there was at least some discussion about his potential to hold the position. However, this is now off the table, as the younger Holland will no longer be with the organization.
The news was confirmed by Jeff Jackson, the Oilers’ CEO and President of Hockey Operations, who expressed gratitude for Holland’s contributions. In an official statement, Jackson said, “We thank Brad for his work during his time with the organization and we wish him well in his future endeavors.”
This departure will allow Holland to pursue other opportunities, though the timing is curious, with NHL training camps just starting. While it may seem like Holland chose to leave, there is speculation that the Oilers were the ones pushing for this decision.
Holland, 43, joined the Oilers in 2019 as a scout and worked his way up to assistant general manager.
Despite never being a strong candidate to become the Oilers’ next general manager, Holland has built a solid résumé that could help him land such a role elsewhere in the NHL. His experience, including assisting in the transition between his father’s departure and the hiring of Stan Bowman, has prepared him for future opportunities in hockey management.
Many believe Holland will eventually become a general manager in the NHL, but it won’t be with the Oilers. Interestingly, his next opportunity could still come through family connections. According to Gabriel Foley of Pro Hockey Rumors, Holland might land with the Dallas Stars, the Oilers’ Western Conference rivals, where his uncle Dennis Holland works as an amateur scout.
While Brad Holland’s time with the Oilers has come to an end, his career in hockey management is far from over, and he remains a promising candidate for future leadership roles in the NHL.
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