(courtesy of the Tulsa Oilers)

OILERS GAIN NEW OFFENSIVE WEAPON IN GINGERA

TULSA, OK – The Tulsa Oilers of the Central Hockey League are pleased to announce the signing of forward Matt Gingera.
At the end of the 2011-12 season, the 5’10” 190-pound Gingera played six games for the Chicago Express of the ECHL after completing an outstanding collegiate career at Sacred Heart University.  In four years with the Pioneers, Gingera became one of the most prolific goal-scorers in school history.  The Winnipeg native is fourth on Sacred Heart’s all-time career goal list with 61 and during his senior season, Gingera led his team in goals, assists, and points.

“I’m extremely excited to welcome Matt to Tulsa,” said Ramsay.  “He’s a highly-skilled player and his point production in college was impressive.  I really expect him to be a top-six forward for our team.”

“Playing at the D-1 level was really a big step up from where I was playing in juniors,” Gingera said.  “That experience got me in shape physically and mentally and I know it will serve me well once I get to Tulsa.”

The 24-year old Gingera, one of only 11 players in Sacred Heart history to record 100 points, registered his first professional goal during his short stint with the Express and proved something to himself in the process.

“I got a sniff of what it was like and I’m confident I can play at this level,” stated Gingera.

In two years with the Winnipeg Saints of the MJHL, Gingera set a blistering scoring pace.  The winger tallied 91 points in 63 games in the 2006-07 campaign and followed up with an astounding 111 points during the 2007-08 season.  Gingera, who found the net 149 times in those two seasons, finished his junior career as the all-time leading goal scorer in Saints history.

“I’m not the fastest or the flashiest guy, but I think I’m slippery around the net and I score a lot of garbage goals by being in the right spot at the right time,” Gingera remarked.  “I’ve made my living around the net but I also like to get creative and cycle the puck down low.”

“He’s gritty and he’s hard-nosed,” Ramsay said.  “Matt is not afraid to mix it up in front of the net and that’s exactly the kind of guy I want on this team.”