Veteran Kaunisto back on Oilers blue line

TULSA, Oka. — The Tulsa Oilers, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s St. Louis Blues, announced the signing of veteran defenseman Steven Kaunisto for the 2019-20 season.

Kaunisto enters his 11th pro season coming off back-to-back seasons where he posted career-best ECHL numbers. Last season, he tallied 34 points (8g-26a) in 69 games.

The 32-year-old has 208 points (46g-162a) in 517 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.