Oilers re-sign Tesink, McKee

TULSA, Okla. – The Tulsa Oilers, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s St. Louis Blues, announced the return of forward Ryan Tesink and defenseman Mike McKee for the 2018-19 season.

Tesink, 25, joined the Oilers last December in a trade from the Rapid City Rush. The Saint John, New Brunswick native posted career highs with 14 goals and 24 points in 46 games with the Oilers. He also tallied an assist in three games for the Rush early in the season. Tesink has totaled 86 points (32g,-54a) and 366 penalty minutes in 218 ECHL games with Tulsa, Rapid City, Wichita, Alaska and Quad City.

After leading his hometown Saint John Sea Dogs to the Memorial Cup championship In 2010-11, Tesink was selected by the Blues in the sixth round (162nd overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. His Sea Dogs went on to a second consecutive Quebec Major Junior Hockey League title the following season and another Memorial Cup appearance.

McKee, 25, found a home on the Oilers blue line after starting his first pro season in 2017-18 as a forward/defenseman hybrid. The Newmarket, Ontario native fought through some injuries as a rookie and posted 11 points (3g-8a) and 136 penalty minutes in 59 games last season. He scored his first pro goal December 8 in a 5-2 win at Toledo.

McKee was selected in the fifth round (140th overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings and spent two junior seasons with the Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League. HE led the USHL both years in penalty minutes, and his 292 penalty minutes in 2012-13 are the fourth most in a single-season in league history.