Winnipeg Jets Enter Agreement With Tulsa Oilers
We will resume our Winnipeg Jets top ten prospects countdown tomorrow with number four (you can read our coverage to this point here) but some news from earlier this long weekend that will effect some minor leaguers in the Jets organization.
We covered this a bit this morning, but being August, I thought this news could use a post of its own. The Jets have announced their new ECHL affiliate for next season will be the Tulsa Oilers. Winnipeg was in need for a new ECHL feeder team after last season’s partner, the Ontario Reign, are moving up the minor league food chain.
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In fact, this is a throwback of sorts for the Jets – Tulsa was their top affiliate way back in 1979 all the way until 1982. This is where I would list some guys you would know from those old Tulsa teams but the list is thin. (uhh, Moe Mantha? Rick Bowness?)
For the present version of the Oilers, this is the first time they’ll serve as an affiliate for an NHL team since the Colorado Avalanche ditched them following the 2010-11 season. The Jets are also bringing in their own coach, Jason Christie, who coached with the Reign last season. Christie has a long standing relationship with Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff dating back to their days working with the Chicago Wolves.
(Meanwhile, the Oilers will keep their general manager in place, whose name I kid you not is Taylor Hall.)
So what’s this all mean for Jets fans? Probably not a whole lot other then the road to the show for some minor leaguers will now begin in Tulsa. Current Winnipeg Jets who have spent time in the ECHL include Mark Stuart, Adam Pardy, and Anthony Peluso.