Riley Stillman Bio
Riley Stillman is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who plays for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Selected by the Florida Panthers in the fourth round, 114th overall, of the 2016 NHL entry draft, he has skated in the NHL since 2019 and built a reputation as a dependable, two-way blueliner. Born on March 9, 1998, Stillman has represented several organizations across both the American Hockey League (AHL) and the NHL over the course of his young career.
Standing 188 centimeters tall and weighing approximately 94 kilograms, Stillman uses his size and skating ability to anchor defensive zone play and contribute on the penalty kill. He joined the Edmonton Oilers as a free agent in 2025 after spending a single season with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Early Life and Background
Riley Stillman was born on March 9, 1998, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, while his father Cory was a member of the Calgary Flames of the NHL. Shortly after his father’s playing career ended, the Stillman family relocated to Peterborough, Ontario, where Riley was raised. He grew up immersed in the Canadian hockey culture that has shaped generations of professional players from the region.
Stillman played bantam and midget hockey within the Peterborough Petes organization before progressing to junior hockey. His upbringing in a hockey household gave him an early understanding of the demands of professional play, and he developed his physical, defense-first style while moving through minor hockey ranks.
Path to Hockey
Stillman joined the Ontario Junior Hockey League with the Cobourg Cougars for the 2014–15 season, where he showcased his game in a competitive junior environment. He had been selected 63rd overall by the Oshawa Generals in the 2013 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection, and he joined the Generals late in that season after his time with the Cougars, appearing in 9 games.
In his rookie OHL campaign, Stillman posted 21 points in 62 games with the Generals, drawing the attention of NHL scouts. His strong second season led to his selection by the Florida Panthers in the fourth round of the 2016 NHL entry draft. During his final junior season in 2017–18, he was traded by the Generals to the Hamilton Bulldogs on December 28, 2017, where he set new career highs with 29 assists and 34 combined points and helped the Bulldogs capture the J. Ross Robertson Cup.
Riley Stillman Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Following his junior career, Riley Stillman signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Florida Panthers on March 5, 2018. After attending the Panthers 2018 training camp, he was assigned to the AHL affiliate Springfield Thunderbirds to begin his professional journey during the 2018–19 season. He recorded 11 points through 46 games with the Thunderbirds, demonstrating a responsible two-way game.
On February 26, 2019, Stillman received his first recall to the Panthers and made his NHL debut that night in a 4–3 overtime loss to the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona. In playing for the Panthers, he joined his father Cory in becoming the first father and son duo to appear for the franchise.
Chicago Blackhawks Era (2021–2022)
On April 8, 2021, Stillman was traded by the Florida Panthers, along with 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. Just over two weeks later, on April 25, 2021, he signed a three-year contract extension worth 4.05 million dollars with the Blackhawks.
His time in Chicago gave Stillman an opportunity to take on a regular defensive role in the NHL. He skated in a full season with the Blackhawks during 2021–22, contributing with a steady presence on the back end and a willingness to block shots and play physical minutes against top opposing forwards.
Vancouver Canucks and Buffalo Sabres Era (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 for the Canucks and registered 5 assists during his brief time in Vancouver.
Nearing the NHL trade deadline, the Canucks dealt Stillman to the Buffalo Sabres on February 27, 2023, in exchange for prospect Josh Bloom. Stillman spent parts of two seasons in the Sabres organization, where he continued to provide defensive depth before leaving as a free agent in 2024.
Carolina Hurricanes Era (2024–2025)
On July 3, 2024, Stillman signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. He began the season with the AHL affiliate Chicago Wolves before earning his Hurricanes debut on January 28, 2025, in a 4–0 win at the New York Rangers. Stillman wore number 61 with Carolina, the same number his father had worn during his career.
Edmonton Oilers Era (2025–Present)
After a single season with the Hurricanes, Stillman signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Edmonton Oilers on July 1, 2025. The move provided him an opportunity to compete for a depth role on a contending roster.
Driving Style and Strengths
Stillman is recognized as a physical, defense-first defenceman who uses his 188-centimeter frame and strong skating to win board battles and clear the defensive zone. He excels in penalty-kill situations and is trusted by coaches to match up against opposing top lines. His willingness to block shots and his responsible two-way game have made him a steady contributor on third-pairing assignments.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the signature moments of Stillman’s career came on February 26, 2019, when he made his NHL debut with the Florida Panthers and, alongside his father Cory, became part of the first father and son duo to play for the franchise. His contribution to the Hamilton Bulldogs’ J. Ross Robertson Cup victory in 2017–18 stands as another early milestone in his playing career.
Riley Stillman Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Riley Stillman comes from a deep hockey family. His father, Cory Stillman, enjoyed a long NHL career that included a Stanley Cup championship and concluded while Cory was a member of the Calgary Flames, the team Riley was born into as a member of the organization. Riley grew up in Peterborough, Ontario after his father’s playing career ended, and the Stillman name has remained connected to professional hockey across multiple generations.
Personal Life
Stillman’s brother, Chase Stillman, plays in the Vancouver Canucks organization and continues the family’s hockey tradition. Riley’s brother-in-law, fellow NHL forward Sam Lafferty, is also part of his extended family. Stillman resides in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
2025 Season Performance
Riley Stillman entered the 2025 calendar year with the Carolina Hurricanes after signing a one-year, two-way contract in July 2024. He began the season with the AHL affiliate Chicago Wolves before earning his Hurricanes debut on January 28, 2025, in a 4–0 road win over the New York Rangers. Wearing number 61, the number his father had also worn, Stillman provided a steady defensive presence on a contending Hurricanes roster.
Following the conclusion of his contract with Carolina, Stillman signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Edmonton Oilers on July 1, 2025. The deal positioned him to compete for a depth role on a Stanley Cup-contending roster and reaffirmed his status as a reliable NHL defenceman.
Looking ahead, Stillman is expected to provide physical, defense-first minutes and penalty-kill support for the Oilers. His combination of size, skating, and experience across five NHL organizations gives Edmonton a versatile depth option on the blue line for the 2025–26 campaign.