Oilers Add Veteran Summers, Acquire Mele from Alaska
October 12, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release
TULSA, OK - As they prepare for their inaugural season in the ECHL, the Tulsa Oilers bolstered their roster on Sunday by signing veteran forward Matt Summers and acquiring the rights to forward Tom Mele (MEE-lee) in a trade with the Alaska Aces for future considerations.
Summers, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound center, arrives in Tulsa from the arch-rival Wichita Thunder where he played each of the last three seasons. The 28-year old was the model of consistency in Wichita and put up 175 points in 178 total games in Thunder colors. An eight-year veteran of the now disbanded Central Hockey League, Summers began his pro career with the Laredo Bucks in 2007 and spent three years as a member of the Mississippi Riverkings before making his way to Wichita. He led the Thunder with 61 points in the 2011-12 campaign and helped his squad reach the CHL Finals. The following season, Summers, who hails from Savage, Minnesota, recorded a career-high 66 points (17 goals, 49 assists) and once again propelled Wichita to the CHL Finals. With 411 regular season games played, Summers is the second-most experienced player on the Oilers' roster behind only Nathan Lutz (766 games).
"Ask anyone around the Central Hockey League over the last several years and they'll tell you Matt Summers is a premier player and an outstanding teammate," said Oilers Head Coach, Bruce Ramsay. "As we make the transition into the ECHL, Matt is the kind of player we need and we feel fortunate that he wanted to play here. He is a dangerous offensive player who possesses great vision with the puck and knows how to put the puck in the net."
Entering just his fourth pro season, Mele has already been a part of two title-winning teams. As a rookie in Fort Wayne in 2011-12, Mele, who can play left wing or right wing, appeared in all 17 playoff games as the Komets captured the Ray Miron President's Cup. Mele moved on to the Alaska Aces (ECHL) in 2012-13 and last season he contributed 17 points in 57 games during the Aces' run to the 2014 Kelly Cup Championship. The 28-year old is the older brother of Oilers forward Steve Mele and the Bronx, New York natives attended American International College with Oilers second-year forward Adam Pleskach. Mele, 5-foot-11, 188-pounds has career totals of 56 points (29 goals, 27 assists) and 191 penalty minutes in 152 games.
"Plain and simple, Tom knows what it takes to win at this level and he brings valuable experience and toughness to our team," Ramsay remarked. "He's accomplished more in three seasons than many players do in their entire careers and having here in Tulsa is big pick up for our organization. One Mele is good, two is better."
The Oilers also made their first cuts of training camp on Sunday by releasing forwards August Aiken, David Klimek, Ryan Farnan, David Rusin, and Martin Tolkner.
Training camp continues on Monday as the Oilers practice from 8:45-9:45 a.m. at the Oilers Ice Center (6413 S. Mingo Rd.). All practices are open to the media and to the public.
Tulsa plays it one and only preseason game on Tuesday, October 14 on the road against the Allen Americans at 7:05 p.m.
For ticket information, please contact the Oilers' office at 918-632-7825 or visit www.tulsaoilers.com.
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