Oilers ink pair of college teammates

TULSA, Okla. — The Tulsa Oilers, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Anaheim Ducks, announced the signings of rookie defenseman Joey Colatarci and rookie forward Dino Balsamo from Adrian College.

Colatarci joins the Oilers’ blue line after a four-year collegiate career at Adrian College, registering 60 points (15g-45a) in 106 games for the Bulldogs. The 25-year-old led all Adrian defensemen with seven goals and 18 asssists for 25 points in 26 appearances in 2019-20. Colatarci earned NCAA D3 All-Freshman Team honors in 2016-17 before closing out his collegiate career with NCAA D3 First Team All-American distinction.

The Fort Myers, Florida native spent the majority of his junior hockey career in the Maritime Junior Hockey League, compiling 89 points (20g-69a) and 248 penalty minutes in 142 games.

Balsamo joined Adrian College after transferring from Bentley University in 2016-17, where he netted three points (2g-1a) in nine games. The 24-year-old was immediately eligible to play for Adrian after transferring, closing out his freshman season with 11 points (6g-5a) in 16 games. By the end of Balsamo’s Adrian career, he tallied 108 points (46g-62a) in 101 games for the Bulldogs. Balsamo left Adrian with 2018-19 NCAA D3 (NCHA) All-Tournament Team and 2019-20 NCAA D3 First Team All- American honors.

The Sterling Heights, Michigan native played his junior hockey in the North American Hockey League, posting 75 points (33g-42a) in 115 games split between the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees and the Aston Rebels. Balsamo’s best junior season came in 2015-16, where he earned 50 points (25g-25a) in 57 games with Aston.