Oilers sign trio of rookies

TULSA, Okla. – The Tulsa Oilers, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s St. Louis Blues, announced the signing of rookies Ben Blasko, Ian McNulty and Chad Thibodeau for the 2018-19 season.

Blasko, 26, begins his pro career in Tulsa after posting impressive numbers in 2017-18 at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. The Kingston, Ontario native posted 35 points (10g-25a) in 28 games during his final college season, and compiled 81 points (23g-58a) in 78 games during his three seasons at UOIT. Blasko previously played two seasons from 2013-15 at Nazareth College, where he totaled 57 points (17g-40a) in 53 games.

McNulty, 25, comes to Tulsa for his first full pro season, after skating in 15 games for the Southern Professional Hockey League’s Columbus Cottonmouths in 2013-14. The Airdrie, Alberta native finished that season at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan, where he played from 2014-18. McNulty tallied 67 points (31g-36a) and 198 penalty minutes for the Cougars in 119 college games.

Thibodeau, 25, got a taste of the pro game at the end of the 2017-18 season, suiting up in six games for the Jacksonville Icemen and eight games for the SPHL’s Pensacola Ice Flyers. The Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario product can play both forward and defense, and finished a four-year college career at Nipissing University with 33 points (8g-25a) and 142 penalty minutes in 79 games for the Lakers from 2014-18.