Kaunisto returns to Oilers' blue line

TULSA, Okla. – The Tulsa Oilers, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s St. Louis Blues, announced that veteran defenseman Steven Kaunisto agreed to terms on a contract to return to Tulsa for a second season with the Oilers.

Kaunisto enters his 10th pro season after posting career-best numbers in 2017-18 with the Oilers. The Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan native was named Tulsa’s Defensive Player of the Year, after compiling 29 points (6g-23a) in 71 games, high marks in his six-year ECHL career.

The 31-year-old defenseman has 174 points (38g-136a) in 448 career ECHL and Central Hockey League games. Kaunisto previously played for Reading, Rapid City, Florida, Kalamazoo, Brampton and Elmira in the ECHL, as well as Wichita, Allen, Missouri, Arizona and Denver in the CHL.

Prior to turning pro, Kaunisto spent four seasons at Lake Superior State University, where he finished with 59 points (14g-45a) in 154 games for the Lakers from 2006-10.