If you follow the Tulsa Oilers closely, you will notice players arriving and leaving all season long. Much of that movement comes from one relationship: the Oilers are the ECHL affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks of the NHL and the San Diego Gulls of the AHL. This guide explains how the Anaheim Ducks affiliation works, how loans and call-ups shape Tulsa’s lineup and why a player leaving for San Diego is usually good news.
Quick answer: Tulsa and Anaheim announced a multi-year affiliation agreement on July 1, 2020, according to the San Diego Gulls. Under it, Anaheim and San Diego can loan or assign players to Tulsa so they get regular ice time, and the Gulls can call up Tulsa players when they need help. In 2026-27, defenseman Jake Lee was loaned to Tulsa from San Diego before opening night, and goaltender Tomas Suchanek was reassigned from the Gulls in October.
The Three-Level Ladder: Anaheim, San Diego and Tulsa
North American pro hockey works like a ladder. The NHL sits at the top, the AHL is the main development league one level below, and the ECHL is one step below that. Most NHL teams keep one AHL club and at least one ECHL partner. For Anaheim, that chain runs from the Ducks to the San Diego Gulls to the Tulsa Oilers.
| Level | Team | League |
|---|---|---|
| Top | Anaheim Ducks | NHL |
| Development | San Diego Gulls | AHL |
| Development and depth | Tulsa Oilers | ECHL |
Our explainer on what the ECHL is covers this structure for new fans.
How the Anaheim Ducks Affiliation Began
Before 2020, Tulsa had been affiliated with the St. Louis Blues for three seasons. When that agreement ended, the Ducks moved quickly. San Diego had already been loaning players to Tulsa informally, partly because of proximity and partly because of head coach Rob Murray’s reputation for developing players, according to the Gulls’ 2020 announcement.
In that announcement, Murray said Anaheim proposed the multi-year structure, which was the first multi-year affiliation deal of his career. He also stressed a simple idea that still guides the relationship: young players need to play. In the ECHL, a loaned prospect can log heavy minutes, sometimes far more than he would see in the AHL. That philosophy still drives the Anaheim Ducks affiliation today. Our profile of Rob Murray explains how he approaches player development.
Loans, Assignments and Call-Ups Explained
These terms come up constantly in team announcements, so here is what each one means in practice:
- Loan: A player under an AHL contract with San Diego is sent to Tulsa to play. Jake Lee, who signed an AHL deal with the Gulls in July 2026, was loaned to Tulsa on Oct. 9.
- Assignment or reassignment: A player under an NHL or AHL contract is sent down to Tulsa. Goaltender Tomas Suchanek was received on reassignment from San Diego on Oct. 13.
- Call-up: A Tulsa player is promoted to San Diego, often to cover injuries. Afterward, the Gulls may send him back to Tulsa.
- ECHL contract: Many Oilers are signed directly by Tulsa. They can still be called up, which is one of the main goals for players at this level.
Under the Anaheim Ducks affiliation, movement is especially common in goal. Teams need a reliable backup at every level, so when one AHL goaltender is hurt, the effect ripples down to the ECHL. Last season, both of Tulsa’s goaltenders were called up to San Diego at the same time, and the Oilers signed Jake Sibell to fill the gap. Murray called Sibell “a Godsend” in that situation, according to the club’s September 2026 announcement. Our guide to the Oilers’ goaltenders covers the current tandem.
Why a Call-Up Through the Anaheim Ducks Affiliation Is Good News
When a favorite player leaves for San Diego in December, it can feel like a loss. However, a call-up is usually a success story for the player and for Tulsa. It shows the system is working, and it helps the Oilers recruit, because players want to join teams that move people up. The 2020 announcement noted that loaned players have even helped Tulsa in the postseason; Alex Dostie led the Oilers in playoff goals during the 2019 run.
How Fans Can Track Roster Moves
Because the lineup changes so often, it helps to know where to look:
- The official Tulsa Oilers roster lists every player currently with the team.
- The Oilers’ news page posts signings, loans and reassignments.
- The ECHL publishes a league-wide transactions list on ECHL.com.
- The San Diego Gulls announce their own recalls and assignments.
For a broader view of this season’s group, read our 2026-27 roster guide.
What It Means for the 2026-27 Season
The Anaheim Ducks affiliation is now in its seventh season, which gives Tulsa unusual stability for an ECHL club. Several of the decisions that shape the standings will happen in San Diego and Anaheim, not in Tulsa. Injuries in the AHL could pull goaltenders or defensemen away at key moments, while new loans could add talent in midseason. Keep that in mind when you read Tulsa Oilers results, and especially during the playoff push explained in our Kelly Cup playoffs guide.
Published Oct. 25, 2026. Details come from the San Diego Gulls’ 2020 affiliation announcement and Tulsa Oilers releases from September and October 2026.
