Riley Stillman Bio
Riley Stillman is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who plays for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born in Calgary on March 9, 1998, Stillman was selected by the Florida Panthers in the fourth round, 114th overall, of the 2016 NHL entry draft. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 207 pounds, he shoots left and has built his career as a steady, defence-first blueliner. Following his junior career, he began his professional journey in 2018 and has since played for multiple organizations across both the NHL and the American Hockey League (AHL).
Early Life and Background
Riley Stillman was born in Calgary, Alberta, on March 9, 1998, while his father Cory was a member of the Calgary Flames. The family later settled in Peterborough, Ontario, after his father’s playing career came to a close. Growing up in a hockey household gave Stillman early exposure to the sport and shaped his development as a defenceman from a young age.
Stillman played bantam and midget hockey within the Peterborough Petes organization before moving on to junior competition. He honed his game in the Ontario Junior Hockey League, where his physical and defensive approach began to take shape. His upbringing in Peterborough, combined with his father’s NHL background, helped lay the foundation for his future in professional hockey.
Path to Hockey
Stillman’s competitive junior path began in the 2014–15 season, when he joined the Cobourg Cougars of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. He had been selected 63rd overall in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection by the Oshawa Generals, and he finished that year by appearing in nine games with the Generals to close out the season.
In the 2015–16 season, Stillman posted 21 points in 62 games on the Oshawa blueline, earning notice from NHL scouts. He was selected 114th overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2016 NHL entry draft. His development continued in the OHL, and on March 5, 2018, he signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Panthers after a productive junior campaign that included a J. Ross Robertson Cup with the Hamilton Bulldogs.
Riley Stillman Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
After attending the Panthers’ 2018 training camp, Stillman was assigned to begin his professional career with their AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, for the 2018–19 season. He posted 11 points through 46 games while playing a responsible two-way game, which earned him his first NHL recall on February 26, 2019. That same night, he made his NHL debut in a 4–3 overtime loss to the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena, joining his father Cory as the first father-son duo to play for the Panthers franchise.
Stillman continued to develop within the Panthers organization, splitting time between Springfield and the NHL roster. His steady defensive play and willingness to compete physically helped establish him as a depth defenceman with NHL potential as he prepared for his next opportunity.
Florida Panthers and Chicago Blackhawks (2020–2022)
During the 2020–21 season, Stillman’s role with the Panthers expanded as he continued to log minutes on the blue line. On April 8, 2021, he was traded by Florida alongside Brett Connolly, the rights to Henrik Borgström, and a 2021 seventh-round draft pick to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Lucas Carlsson and Lucas Wallmark. Shortly after the deal, on April 25, 2021, he signed a three-year, $4.05 million contract extension with Chicago, signaling the team’s confidence in his long-term fit.
His time with the Blackhawks allowed Stillman to take on a more regular NHL role. The extension reflected his growing reputation as a dependable, stay-at-home defenceman capable of contributing on the penalty kill.
Vancouver Canucks and Buffalo Sabres (2022–2024)
Approaching the 2022–23 season, Stillman was traded by the Blackhawks to the Vancouver Canucks on October 7, 2022, in exchange for Jason Dickinson and a second-round pick in the 2024 NHL entry draft. Limited by injury, he appeared in 32 games with the Canucks and registered 5 assists before being dealt again at the NHL trade deadline. On February 27, 2023, Vancouver sent him to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for prospect Josh Bloom.
Stillman spent parts of two seasons within the Sabres organization, continuing to provide defensive depth and penalty-killing support. After his time in Buffalo concluded, he became a free agent and prepared for the next stage of his career.
Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers Era (2024–Present)
Stillman signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on July 3, 2024, and began the season with the Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves. He made his Hurricanes debut on January 28, 2025, in a 4–0 win at the New York Rangers, and wore number 61 with Carolina, the same number his father once wore.
After a lone season with Carolina, Stillman signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Edmonton Oilers on July 1, 2025. He currently plays for the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL while under contract to the Oilers, continuing his career as a reliable defensive presence.
Driving Style and Strengths
Stillman is recognized for his responsible, two-way approach to the game. He plays a physical, defence-first style, contributes effectively on the penalty kill, and uses his 6-foot-2 frame to win battles along the boards and in front of the net. His game is built on positioning, consistency, and team-first hockey rather than offensive flash.
Notable Events and Milestones
Stillman’s most notable milestone came on February 26, 2019, when he made his NHL debut for the Florida Panthers and joined his father Cory as the first father and son to play for the franchise. He also captured the J. Ross Robertson Cup with the Hamilton Bulldogs during his final junior season, marking one of the early highlights of his career.
Riley Stillman Career Wins
Riley Stillman’s career has been defined more by steady defensive contributions and team success than by individual trophy wins. His most prominent team accomplishment came during his final OHL season, when he helped the Hamilton Bulldogs claim the J. Ross Robertson Cup in 2017–18.
NHL and Junior Highlights
Stillman has notched one notable NHL debut win on the scoreboard, appearing in a 4–0 victory at the New York Rangers on January 28, 2025, while with the Hurricanes. Beyond that, his career highlights center on his draft selection by the Panthers in 2016, his three-year contract extension with the Blackhawks in 2021, and his junior championship with the Bulldogs.
Other Wins & Performances
In junior hockey, Stillman’s strongest performance came with the Hamilton Bulldogs during the 2017–18 season, when he set career highs with 29 assists and 34 combined points while helping the team capture the J. Ross Robertson Cup. His development within the OHL served as the launching point for his professional career.
Riley Stillman Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Riley Stillman comes from a notable hockey family. His father, Cory Stillman, enjoyed a long NHL career and was a member of the Calgary Flames when Riley was born in Calgary in 1998. The family later moved to Peterborough, Ontario, where Riley grew up and developed his game through the local minor hockey system.
Personal Life
Stillman’s brother, Chase Stillman, plays within the Vancouver Canucks organization, continuing the family’s hockey tradition. Fellow NHL player Sam Lafferty is his brother-in-law, further connecting the Stillman family to professional hockey circles. Riley currently resides in Peterborough, Ontario, the city that shaped his early development.
2025 Season Performance
Stillman signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Edmonton Oilers on July 1, 2025, beginning a new chapter in his career. He is currently assigned to the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL, where he provides defensive depth and veteran presence for the Oilers’ development affiliate.
His role within the Oilers organization is built around reliability and readiness, with the opportunity to be called up to the NHL roster as needed. Stillman’s experience and defensive approach make him a valuable depth option as Edmonton navigates the 2025 season.
Looking ahead, Stillman continues to build on his reputation as a steady, defence-first blueliner. His two-way contract offers flexibility for both the player and the organization as the 2025 season unfolds, keeping him firmly within the Oilers’ plans.