CHL Tulsa Oilers

Oilers Welcome Back O'Kane, Land All-American Goalie and Rookie Forward

Published on September 10, 2014 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release


TULSA, OK - The Tulsa Oilers announced on Wednesday the signing of forwards Kyle O'Kane and Stephen Blunden and goaltender Brady Hjelle (JELL-ee). The Oilers, entering their 23rd consecutive season in the Central Hockey League, have 23 players officially signed to the 2014-15 roster. More player signings are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

O'Kane made his CHL debut with the Oilers during the 2012-13 season and is returning to Tulsa after spending the 2013-14 campaign with the St. Charles Chill. In 62 games with the Chill, O'Kane, 27, posted a team-high 22 goals and chipped in 14 assists to cap off his second season as a professional. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, O'Kane played four years at Western Michigan University before turning pro with the Louisiana Ice Gators of the SPHL. After 11 games in Louisiana, the 5-foot-8, 182-pound right wing was called up to Tulsa where he became a fixture in the Oilers' lineup. O'Kane recorded two goals and two assists in 29 games as an Oiler.

"Over the last couple of years, I think the difference in my game is confidence, consistency, and proving to myself that I can put the puck in the net," said O'Kane, who had originally signed with the Denver Cutthroats earlier in the summer. "Coming back to Tulsa was a no-brainer for me. I loved how the community and the fans were so involved with the team and it was so special for me to be a part of a team that is really appreciated by its fans. I know it's going to feel like home."

"Kyle works as hard as any player we've ever had here and he was incredibly impressive last season in St. Charles," remarked Oilers Head Coach, Bruce Ramsay. "He really showed some ability around the net and I know he will do whatever it takes to help us reach our goals. He's a great teammate and a fantastic representative of our team in the community so we're thrilled to have him back."

Hjelle is the fourth goalie to sign with the Oilers this offseason and joins Ben Gordon, Drew Fisher, and Ryan Cramer as the fourth player on the Oilers' roster to hail from International Falls, Minnesota. The 24-year old spent the 2013-14 season, his first as a pro, with Rosenborg IHK in Norway. Hjelle split his college hockey career between the University of Minnesota-Duluth and Ohio State University. As a senior at Ohio State in 2012-13, the 5-foot-11, 185-pound Hjelle appeared in 34 contests and finished the year with a 2.00 goals against average and a .935 save percentage. By posting outstanding numbers and helping the Buckeyes reach the CCHA semifinals for the first time since 2005, Hjelle earned first-team All-American honors and the award for CCHA Goalie of the Year.

"I've been talking to Ben Gordon quite a bit and he's told me all summer that Tulsa is a great place to play," Hjelle stated. "Knowing those guys (Gordon, Fisher, and Cramer) makes me excited to be a part of the team. Even though those guys are a little older than me and I haven't played on the same team with them before, I've skated with them and I'm looking forward to stopping them in practice."

"Everything about Brady's background is impressive and anytime you have the opportunity to sign one of the top college talents in the country, you have to find a way to get it done," said Ramsay. "Seeing the kind of numbers he put up at Ohio State and listening to our other players talk about his skill level was very convincing for me and I can't wait to see him in training camp."

A 6-foot-2, 195-pound left wing, Blunden is heading to Tulsa out of the University of Ottawa. Over the last several months of the summer the 25-year old Blunden played in Australia for the CBR Brave. He led the team in points with 36 goals and 32 assists in 24 games. In his senior season with the University of Ottawa Blunden tallied 14 goals and 20 assists, and registered 49 penalty minutes. An Ottawa native, Blunden played junior hockey with the Belleville Bulls (OHL), Ottawa 67's (OHL), and Gloucester Rangers (CJHL). Blunden made his mark in Gloucester, his last season as a junior, with 22 goals, 68 assists, and 106 penalty minutes in 54 games.

"I know Stephen had a very successful summer in Australia and there's no doubt he'll come into training camp at the top of his game," Ramsay said. "It's always exciting to give young players like Stephen the opportunity to excel at this level of hockey and we're happy to have him on board."

After opening training camp on Monday, October 13 at the Oilers Ice Center, the Oilers will play exhibition games in Allen on October 17 and in Wichita on October 18. Tulsa's regular season begins at Allen on Friday, October 24 and Oilers' home opener is slated for Sunday, October 26 at 4:05 p.m. against Wichita.

For more information on 2014-15 season tickets or player signings, please call the Oilers office at 918-632-7825 or email Oilers' broadcaster Rob Loeber at rob@tulsaoilers.com.

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