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NHL Veteran Signs With Tulsa Oilers
Tulsa Oilers Press Release
February 7, 2003
The Tulsa Oilers of the Central Hockey League have signed veteran defenseman Neil
Wilkinson, head coach Garry Unger announced today. Wilkinson played 11 seasons in the National Hockey League from 1989 to 1999. He was originally a second-round selection (30th overall) of the Minnesota
North Stars in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft.
Wilkinson played with the North Stars, the San Jose Sharks, the Chicago Blackhawks, the Winnipeg Jets, and the Pittsburgh Penguins during his NHL career. The
6-3, 180-pound defenseman played in a total of 460 NHL games and totaled 83 points on 16 goals and 67 assists, and 813 penalty minutes.
"Any time you can get a guy with that much experience and such a
desire to play and get back into the game, you have to give him a look," said Unger. "It's going to take him some time to get his timing back, but you can tell by watching him skate that he's played at a
high level."
To make room on the roster for Wilkinson, the Oilers have placed veteran forward Jamie Steer on season-ending injured reserve with a back injury. Steer is tied for ninth in the CHL and
ranks second on the team with 54 points on 23 goals and 31 assists. His plus/minus of +11 is also tied for second on the team.
"Jamie's loss is huge for us," said Unger. "He's been a warrior for us
all year long. He's been a great leader, both on and off the ice."
In other roster moves, defenseman Mike Mohr has been placed on the 14-day injured reserve with an injured neck, retroactive to
January 28th. Forward Justin Ossachuk has also been placed on 14-day injured reserve with a knee injury, retroactive to January 31st.
The Oilers will host the Fort Worth Brahmas tonight at 7:35 at the
Tulsa Convention Center. Three players, Wilkinson, forward Peter MacKellar, and defenseman Andrew Oke, will be making their debuts in a Tulsa sweater. MacKellar and Oke were obtained earlier this week in a
trade with the Wichita Thunder.
Tickets for tonight's game are available at local Drug Marts, the Tulsa Convention Center Box Office, the Oilers office, or by phone at 584-2000. |
