Oilers sign veteran forward Nikiforov

TULSA, Okla. –The Tulsa Oilers, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s St. Louis Blues, announced the signing of veteran forward Vladimir Nikiforov for the 2017-18 season.

Nikiforov brings a wealth of experience to the Oilers roster. The winger from Hauppauge, N.Y. enters his 10th pro season in 2017-18 and Tulsa is his seventh ECHL team. Nikiforov finished last season with MAC Budapest in the Erste Liga, composed of teams based in Hugary, Romania and Austria. He totaled 18 points (7g-11a) in 18 regular-season and playoff games. Prior to heading overseas, Nikiforov appeared in 14 games for the Alaska Aces and recorded four points (2g-2a).

The 29-year-old has also played for Quad City, Florida, Bakersfield, Reading and Utah during his ECHL career. In 214 games, Nikiforov has 132 career ECHL points (43g-89a). He also compiled 96 points (35g-61a) in 114 Central Hockey League games for Bloomington and Quad City.

Nikiforov spent the 2012-13 season in Russia’s Supreme Hockey League, where he put up 16 points (10g-6a) in 45 games. In 2014-15, he split time with Blue Devils Weiden in Germany, Orlik Opole in Poland and Coventry Blaze in England.

Prior to turning pro, Nikiforov played three seasons of juniors in the Ontario Hockey League, where he recorded 173 points (63g-110a) in 179 games with the Barrie Colts and Sarnia Sting.