Rookie defenseman Schmidt joins Oilers

TULSA, Okla. –The Tulsa Oilers, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s St. Louis Blues, announced the signing of rookie defenseman Connor Schmidt to a contract for the 2017-18 season.

Schmidt, 23, joins the Oilers for his first professional season after finishing his college career in 2016-17 at Utica College. The Flat Rock, Mich. native recorded 15 points (3g-12a) and 78 penalty minutes in 25 games for the Pioneers last season before turning pro.

Prior to Utica, Schmidt attended Ferris State University from 2012-14 and the first Division I program at Arizona State University from 2014-16.

Before college, he played one season of juniors with Traverse City of the North American Hockey League, and spent parts of two junior seasons with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League. In total, Schmidt compiled 43 points (11g-32a) and 362 penalty minutes in 136 games of juniors.