CHL Tulsa Oilers

Oilers' Latest Signings Include NHL Draft Pick

Published on October 2, 2014 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release


TULSA, OK - With just over three weeks remaining until the puck drops on the 2014-15 season, the Tulsa Oilers announced Thursday the signing of forwards Wes Myron and August Aiken and defenseman Ricards Birzins.

Myron, 22, was a sixth-round draft choice of the Vancouver Canucks in the 2012 NHL entry draft. The 6-foot-2, 187-pound center spent parts of the last two seasons in the ECHL with the Kalamazoo Wings where he posted two goals and nine assists in a total of 28 games. A native of Victoria, British Columbia, Myron played the 2012-13 season at Boston University and recorded three points in 21 games as a Terrier. Myron's junior hockey career consisted of three standout seasons with his hometown Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL). From 2009 through 2012, Myron was able to put up 110 points (50 goals, 60 assists) in 131 appearances.

"Wes is a promising young player who has already gained some good experience by playing in the ECHL and at one of the top collegiate programs in the country," said Bruce Ramsay, Oilers head coach. "You must be doing something right when you draw the attention of NHL clubs as a junior player so there's no doubt Wes possesses a lot of positive attributes to go along with his extraordinary potential."

As he enters his fourth season of professional hockey, Aiken has already been well-traveled. The 26-year old left-wing has played in four leagues over the last three seasons while wearing the colors of the Louisiana Ice Gators (SPHL), Pensacola Ice Flyers (SPHL), Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL) and Dayton Demonz (FHL). In 41 games with Dayton during the 2013-14 campaign, Aiken, who hails from the Los Angeles area, ranked third on the Demonz roster with 60 points (33 goals, 27 assists). Prior to turning pro in 2011, the 5-foot-9, 172-pound Aiken skated as a junior for four years in the BCHL and one season at the University of Alaska-Anchorage.

"The numbers show that August was one of the most effective and prolific offensive players on every team he's been a part of at every single level of hockey," Ramsay remarked. "I'm looking forward to getting him into training camp and seeing how he stacks up against some tough competition."

A Latvian blue-liner, Birzins is testing the waters of North American hockey for the first time in his career. The 6-foot-0, 192-pound defenseman has spent the majority of his career playing in his home country but in the 2013-14 season, Birzins split his time among the Tønsberg Vikings (Norway) and Cortina (Italy). The 25-year old, who hails from the capital city of Riga, has also played for teams in Belarus and Kazakhstan.

"As is the case with many of these European players, we won't really know what we have in Ricards until we see him in person," Ramsay said. "I know that from what I've been able to look at on video and what I've heard about Ricards that he's works extremely hard and isn't afraid to join the rush and contribute offensively. I believe he will be a physical player and I'm glad he chose Tulsa as the place to learn what this kind of hockey is all about."

The Oilers' 23rd consecutive season of hockey begins on Friday, October 24 in Allen against the defending-champion Americans. Tulsa's home opener at the BOK Center is Sunday, October 26 at 4:05 p.m. against the Wichita Thunder.

For ticket information call 918-632-7825 or visit www.tulsaoilers.com.

Check out the Tulsa Oilers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Central Hockey League Stories from October 2, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central