Hockey legends know great players when they see one. One of them is Wayne Gretzky. To most, Gretzky will go down as the best player in NHL.
Gretzky's brother Keith has been part of the Edmonton Oilers organization for years. Today, Keith serves as the assistant general manager of the Bakersfield Confors, the Oilers' AHL affiliate. At the 2021 NHL Draft, it was an important draft to get the Oilers back on track.
With the 22nd overall pick in the draft, the Oilers drafted Xavier Bourgault. However, that has turned into a mistake as the very next selection after Bourgault is tearing it up in NHL.
Wayne rips brother Keith for passing on Wyatt Johnston
The very next selection in the 2021 NHL Draft after Bourgault was Wyatt Johnston, who was drafted by the Dallas Stars with the 23rd overall selection. Following the Stars' Game 6 series win in the second round against the Winnipeg Jets, Wayne gave Johnston high praise by mentioning Keith's mistake in the locker room.
Wayne mentioned to Johnston that Keith and the Oilers missed the mark by taking Bourgault instead of Johnston. Wayne said to Johnston he always gives his brother (expletive) for not taking him.
For Johnston to hear high praise from Wayne with that and him calling him a great player, it raises the question of where is Bourgault today? Bourgault is one of the prospects on the Ottawa Senators AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators. However, Bourgault has yet to play an NHL game in his career. In the 2024-25 season, Bourgault recorded 26 points in 61 games in the AHL with the Belleville Senators. Passing on Johnston sure has been a mistake for Keith and the Oilers.
Johnston's 177 career points is the most among the 2021 NHL Draft class. Johnston set a career-high 71 points in the 2024-25 season.
For the past three years in the playoffs, Johnston was able to score a goal in a Game 7. Johnston's Game 7 goal in the first round of the 2025 playoffs against the Colorado Avalanche was the game-wiinning goal. Two of Johnston's three goals in his Game 7 career have been game winners.
It's not just Keith that's under fire with passing on Johnston, it's most teams. The Senators drafted Tyler Boucher with the 10th overall pick in the draft, and he's yet to play an NHL game. Johnston's career will always make teams that passed on him regret it.
Johnston and the Stars will get ready for the 2025 Western Conference Finals against the Oilers. It offers as another chance for Johnston to raise his game and become even a better player.