The Edmonton Oilers announced on Thursday morning that the club will no longer be affiliated with the Stockton Thunder, and that the club will become affiliated with the Bakersfield Condors at the ECHL level. The club will serve as the secondary development team for the Oilers, behind the AHL’s Oklahoma City Barons.
The Oilers and Thunder were affiliated for seven seasons, and the Thunder recently captured the franchises first Western Conference title this past season. Oilers prospects Tyler Bunz, Olivier Roy and Cam Abney played with the Thunder this past season, while prospect Ryan Martindale played with the team during the 2011-12 campaign.
The Thunder produced multiple NHL players for the Oilers, with the biggest one being starting goalie Devan Dubnyk. Forwards Liam Reddox, Ryan O’Marra, Colin MacDonald, Troy Brodie, Milan Kytnar, and Tim Sestito played for the team, along with defender Bryan Young.
The Oilers and Barons will join up with the Condors, and it’s expected that a few Oilers prospects will begin their pro career with the team. I’d expect Tyler Bunz starts for the club this season, and forward Cam Abney also heads to the ECHL. They will be joined by a few players on two-way AHL contracts, and a number of ECHL veterans.
The Condors recently named Troy Mann as head coach, and it’s expected that he will remain in the position for the upcoming season.
The Condors play in the Pacific division and can be followed on twitter @Condors. Check them out online too http://www.bakersfieldcondors.com/
Welcome to the Oilers family Condors!
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