Duck Tales: Anaheim signs affiliate agreement with ECHL’s Tulsa Oilers

The Anaheim Ducks will have another option to help develop their players. The team announced it has signed a multi-year agreement with the ECHL’s Tulsa Oilers.

Anaheim already has the AHL’s San Diego Gulls as an affiliate, so this gives the organization a second team to work with.

Many of the Ducks’ prospects spent some time with the Oilers last season, including: center Brent Gates, defenseman Hunter Drew and goalie Olle Eriksson Ek. With the Gulls roster being full, the younger players get more ice time with Tulsa, than they would playing in the AHL.

Going into the NHL’s 2019-20 season, there were 57 players with ECHL experience on opening day rosters. Some of the bigger names who played in the ECHL prior to making the jump to the NHL include: Former Ducks’ defenseman Francois Beauchemain, Dan Girardi, Alex Burrows, Jonathan Quick and Brayden Holtby.

With Anaheim in a rebuild, this move gives GM Bob Murray another avenue to get prospects meaningful ice time.

On to some links:

Who can the Ducks snag with their first three picks at the 2020 NHL Draft? Eddy Jones of The Hockey Writers gives his thoughts, and answers more questions in his most recent mailbag.

Which Anaheim players could be on Team USA for the 2022 Olympics? Matt Teague of The Score gives his picks for the national team roster.

From around the league:

Which of the teams who a part of the play-in round is the best fit for projected No. 1 pick Alexis Lafreniere? ESPN’s Emily Kaplan shares her thoughts.