TULSA, OK – Tony Martino’s return to the Tulsa Oilers as head coach couldn’t have come at a worse time. Coming in at nearly the mid-point of the season, Martino, 44, inherited a 9-17-4 record and a talented group of players struggling to find success in arguably the most competitive division in the Central Hockey League.
On December 29, the team announced the firing of Dan Hodge. After a strong finish last year, this season’s squad failed to live up to expectations under Hodge’s leadership. His record was 8-15-3 at the time of his dismissal. The team was coached by general manager Taylor Hall on an interim basis and went 1-3 before Martino took the reins on January 6th.
Photo Credit: Robert Keith
During the off-season, the Oilers moved into the BOK Center, a brand new $196 million state-of-the-art arena, easily the best venue in the league. The facility drew huge crowds, which helped to bolster the Oilers attendance, which averages over 5,000 per game, but lack of a fan support has never been a problem for the team.
Of the original six franchises of the re-born Central Hockey League, the Oilers are one of only four teams that have played every season since 1992. The Oilers have a winning tradition, including seven straight winning seasons from 1999 to 2006 . Tulsa even won the inaugural CHL championship, defeating their inter-state rivals, the Oklahoma City Blazers. A former goaltender, Martino was in net when the Oilers won the cup and was selected as CHL Goalie of the Year .
Martino previously coached the New Mexico Scorpions of the Western Professional Hockey League and the Knoxville Ice Bears of the Atlantic Coast Hockey League. He also coached for two seasons in Italy. His experience also includes scouting with the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL. His coaching record was 193-118-29, and he led New Mexico to the WPHL finals in 2000 and Knoxville to the ACHL finals in 2003. His longtime friendship with team owner Jeff Lund was integral in his return to the bench in Tulsa.
Now tasked with turning around the 12-27-7 Oilers, a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since the 2004-05 season, Martino accepts that the opportunity to reach the playoffs this year has passed and that he now has to look at what changes can be made in order to prepare for next season. Those changes begin with personnel.
Prior to Monday’s trade deadline, Martino dealt center Martin Gascon (recently acquired from the Arizona Sundogs for defenseman Jason Lawmaster) and future considerations to the Mississippi RiverKings in exchange for center Jason Weitzel. He also brought in defenseman Matt Smyth from the Corpus Christi Ice Rays in trade for center/left wing Jereme Tendler.
Martino previously signed rookie forwards Rob Dmytruk and Augusto DiMarzo, rookie left wings Lucas Labelle and Ben Camper and goaltender Davis Parley. Left wing Avery Wilson, forwards Denis Sicard and Dan Travis and goaltender Guy St. Vincent were placed on waivers.
Before a recent game, I spoke with Martino about the job he has ahead of him. Here are his thoughts on a few of the things we discussed.
On the Oilers future…
“One of the reasons I took the job is the potential…I already know what the organization is all about with Jeff Lund and Taylor Hall and being part of the Oilers family when it came back in ’92, so I know what to expect from the fans and the community. The only unknown was the talent level and we’re working things out and we’re just trying to establish some parameters that will make us successful.”
On the BOK Center…
“It’s an NHL building. These guys are very privileged to play in that building and if we have a competitive team and a winning team, we’re going to have great fan support, which we have now and we’re not winning. I know what the city is like when you have a winner; they really support their teams. We’re looking to get to that level again.
On the changes in the league since he played and coached here…
“I think the league has improved in terms of the talent level. I think the league is younger, so it’s more of a competitive league. When I was in the league, we had a lot of older guys and there was more of a laid-back attitude. These kids, some of them still have dreams of moving up to the next level. The facilities are better, by far (laughing). Also, the league organization, the way it developed and the administration. They do a great job and I think that’s why the league has been successful for so many years.
On his philosophy to the players…
“Compete. Play for 60 minutes and compete. Never give up. That’s the biggest thing. You can do X’s and O’s all day but if you don’t have the work ethic and the commitment and the passion to do a good job, you’re not going to be successful. I like a team that competes.”
Tulsa Oilers fans are among the most loyal in the Central Hockey League. With the second worst record in the league this season, the team has the fourth best attendance. They like a team that competes too.
“ I remember the glory days and want to bring it back to that level,” Martino said.
Tony Martino has his work cut out for him but with the foundation of a supportive ownership, a strong fan base, a first-class facility to play in and a solid core of players, those glory days may not be far off.
Contact the author at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com
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