Oilers' New Addition Trent Frederic Insights
The Edmonton Oilers and their fans are excited to see the impact Trent Frederic will bring to the team. Despite currently nursing a lower-body injury, Frederic is expected to make his Oilers debut before April.
While his exact role in the lineup remains uncertain, head coach Bowman has suggested Frederic could slot into the top six or potentially play as the third-line center. One thing is clear: the 6-foot-3, 221-pound forward brings a mix of physicality and energy to the ice.
With 41 fights across the AHL and NHL and ranking 34th in the league with 152 hits last season, Frederic is known for his rugged style of play.
As we await his debut, here are five fascinating facts to help you get to know the Oilers’ newest addition.
1. Frederic Won the Big Ten Freshman of the Year Award with the Wisconsin Badgers
After spending two years with the U.S. National Team (2014–2016), Frederic joined the University of Wisconsin-Madison in April 2016. In his freshman season with the Badgers, he made an immediate impact, scoring 15 goals and 18 assists in 30 games.
He finished second on the team in points and led in points-per-game (1.1 P/G). His outstanding performance earned him the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award, making him the first Badger to receive the honor since Dany Heatley in the 1999–2000 season.
Frederic also won the Spike Carlson-Chris Chelios Most Valuable Player award, as voted by his teammates, and was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and the second-team All-Big Ten squad.
2. Frederic Comes from an Athletic Family, and His Brother Wanted Him to Join the Oilers
Trent is the fourth sibling to compete at the Division I level. His brother Geno played football at the University of Memphis, his sister KC played volleyball at Oregon State, and his older brother Grant played defense for four seasons at Miami University.
Growing up, Trent often played against Grant, even facing off in the United States Hockey League. In an interview, Trent shared, “We played shinny in our basement. Grant was three years older, and we would fight a lot—it was pretty competitive.”
Interestingly, Grant was a strong advocate for Trent joining the Oilers. After the trade, Trent revealed, “My brother was pushing, saying how cool it’d be for me to go to Edmonton. He watches a lot of hockey, so I’m gonna take his word on it.”
3. Frederic Went from Being Friends with Matthew Tkachuk to Calling His Actions Disrespectful
Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, Frederic played in the Blues’ midget minor hockey program, where he was coached by former NHL star Keith Tkachuk.
This connection led to a childhood friendship with Keith’s sons, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk. The trio often played roller hockey together, and Frederic and Matthew later teamed up in the National Development Program.
However, their friendship hasn’t always translated into camaraderie on the ice. During last season’s opener, Frederic attempted to spark his team by challenging Matthew to a fight. Although Tkachuk initially agreed, he backed out, leading to Frederic receiving a two-minute unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
After the game, Frederic didn’t hold back, calling Tkachuk’s actions “disrespectful to the game.”
4. There’s Bad Blood Between Frederic and Trouba, Now Both in the Pacific Division
During his time with the Bruins, Frederic had a notable run-in with Jacob Trouba, then of the New York Rangers.
On November 25, 2023, Trouba swung his stick at Frederic’s head during a scrum in front of the net. Trouba escaped without a penalty during the game and was only fined $5,000 afterward.
Nearly three weeks later, Frederic sought retribution, challenging Trouba to a fight on December 16, 2023. Frederic landed a few solid punches and later joked, “I can never hit him as hard as he hit me. I’d have to fight him 10 times to do that.”
With Trouba now playing for the Anaheim Ducks, the two are set to face off more frequently in the Pacific Division.
Their next matchup is scheduled for April 7, and fans can expect some heated moments.
Image - Jerome Miron-Imagn
