Blazers Sign Three Defensemen

September 16, 2003 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Oklahoma City Blazers News Release


Oklahoma City, Okla. – The Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central Hockey League signed defensemen Peter Robertson, Tyler Fleck and Kevin Livingston, the club's front office announced today.

Robertson is entering his fifth season as a pro and fourth in Oklahoma City. The 6-2, 210-pounder from Rothesay, New Brunswick picked up 39 points last season (10-29-39) and was a team high +23, while playing in 63 games. In 264 games as a professional, he has amassed 142 points (41-101-142) and has served 200 penalty minutes.

Robertson is the fourth veteran player signed by Oklahoma City this season. He joins Blair Manning, Bryan Forslund and Peter Arvanitis as players on the Blazers roster with 260-or-more games of professional experience. Each CHL team is permitted to carry five veteran players.

Fleck is entering his fourth full season as a member of the Blazers and as a pro. Last season, the 5-10, 200-pounder from Carlyle, Saskatchewan, picked up 18 points (5-13-18) and served a career high 223 penalty minutes, while playing in all 64 games. Fleck has skated in 188 games in Oklahoma City, scoring 53 points (11-42-53) and serving 549 penalty minutes.

Livingston, a 6-2, 210-pounder from Cranbrook, British Columbia, split time during his rookie season with the Tulsa Oilers and Wichita Thunder. Playing 64 games between the two clubs, he picked up 13 points (1-12-13) while serving 106 penalty minutes. Prior to turning pro, he completed a successful career in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League with the Trail Smoke Eaters, compiling 63 points (10-53-63) and serinvg 423 penalty minutes in 150 games.

"Everyone has been waiting to see what our defense would look like," said Blazers head coach Doug Sauter. "Peter and Tyler have each proven that they can play in the league and know what it takes to get the job done. I was shocked to see that Livingston was granted his outright release from Wichita. I thought he was a skilled player and he showed a lot of character when he was traded from Tulsa to Wichita last season. He kept up his spirit and showed that he could play in the league despite being traded to a team that wasn't going to make the postseason."

The addition of Robertson, Fleck and Livingston brings the total number of players signed for the 2003-04 season to 17. They join all-star Blair Manning, Bryan Forslund, Marty Standish, Peter Arvanitis, Ryan Watson, Brad Herauf, Ryan Campbell, Tim Laurila, Shane Fukushima, Justin Kot, Quinn Henry, Mike Lucci and goaltenders Boyd Ballard and Sean Connors.

NOTE: The Blazers home preseason game scheduled for Sunday, October 12 against the Amarillo Gorillas has been cancelled. The Blazers will play three preseason games, all on the road. Thursday, Octo 9, the Blazers will take on the Wichita Thunder at the Thunder's practice facility. Tickets will be available at the door. Oklahoma City wraps up its preseason schedule in Fort Collins, Colo. on October 10 and 11 against the expansion Colorado Eagles. Tickets are available by contacting the Eagles' front office.



Central Hockey League Stories from September 16, 2003


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