Oilers sign 3 defensemen.

While the temperatures outside are nowhere near what you'd find during hockey season, the Tulsa Oilers are open for business.

Coach Bruce Ramsay is getting set for his second year behind the bench as the Oilers head coach.  Today he signed returning defensemen Derek Eastman, R.J. Linder and Sean Erickson to the 2010-2011 Oilers team.   ‘This is a great nucleus for our blueline,” coach Bruce Ramsay said. “All three of these guys bring something special to the table.”

Derek Eastman, 5-foot-10, 190 pounds will be the Oilers player assistant coach this coming season. In his first year in the CHL he was one of only two defensemen named to the league’s postseason all-CHL team. He led the league with six shorthanded assists and tied for fourth among defensemen in scoring with nine goals and 36 assists for 45 points in 63 games.

“Derek was a key player for us in all situations,” Ramsay said. “He obviously made an impression on the rest of the league to be voted onto the all league team.”

R. J. Linder saw his season cut short after 11 games with a knee injury. But at the time of his injury, he had four assists and led the Oilers at +11. The 6-foot-2, 195 pounder will be playing in his third season with the Oilers, but hard luck injuries have limited him to just 22 games over the previous two seasons.

 “R.J. is the kind of player every coach would want on their team,” Ramsay said. “He’s had some tough luck with injuries and it was a blow when we lost him. Having him healthy for a full season will make a big difference for us.”

Sean Erickson earned a spot on the CHL’s post season all-rookie team. At 6-foot, 175 pounds, he had five goals and 13 assists for 18 points, 15th among league rookies.

“Sean really developed as a solid all around player and became a good offensive threat for us as the season went along,” Ramsay said.

Coach Ramsay and the Oilers look to improve upon the 2009-10 starting with these three players.  In the 2009-10 campaign the Oilers posted the second highest total increase for the season.

Season tickets are on sale and can be purchased for as low as $26 a month.  More information about full and partial season ticket plans by calling the Oilers office at 632-PUCK (7825) or by visiting tulsaoilers.com