OILERS ADD GOALTENDER, WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP EXPERIENCE IN JULIAN JUNCA
Oilers sign France international goaltender Julian Junca
TULSA, Okla. —The Tulsa Oilers, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks and the AHL’s San Diego Gulls, announced Tuesday the signing of goaltender Julian Junca ahead of the 2023-24 season
Junca, 25, makes the jump to North America after five consecutive seasons in France’s topflight, coming off a Jean Ferrand winning campaign as France’s best goaltender last season with Gap. The Franco-Spanish national closed the campaign with a 2.64 GAA, a .921 save percentage, three shutouts and 17-16-0-0 record in 39 appearances.
“Julian is an accomplished international player,” said head coach Rob Murray. “He’s represented his country many times, competing against NHL players at the highest level. He’s been very successful at the professional level in Europe as well and is a young man who wants to experience North America. He will attend AHL training camp with the Chicago Wolves before coming to Tulsa. We are very excited to see what he brings.”
The 6’5, 204, lbs. netminder represented France at the highest level, backstopping Les Blues in the 2023 IIHF World Championships, helping the squad avoid IIHF relegation for the second straight tournament. In total, Junca has played 15 times for his country at the senior level in addition to appearing 10 times at the Junior level.
For club, Junca has tended 123 games in Ligue Magnus, culminating in a 2.86 GAA, .909 save percentage and a 49-55-0 record. The netminder made his first start in one of Europe’s top leagues as a teenager. The Prades, France native also played 17 games for Vaujany in his home country’s third professional tier on loan from Grenoble in 2017-18.
Prior to turning pro, Junca played in France’s junior system, goaltending for Briançon at U18, U20 and U22 levels, as well as playing for Grenoble’s U20 squad and France’s World Junior Championship’s team in 2018.
Tulsa opens its season on the road on Saturday, Oct. 21 in West Valley City, Utah at 8:10 p.m. CT against the Utah Grizzlies. The Oilers return to “The Rig” for their home opener on Saturday, Oct. 28, hosting the Cincinnati Cyclones for an inter-divisional battle at the BOK Center at 7:05 p.m.
Oilers Season and Group Tickets are on sale now! Call the Oilers front office at 918-632-PUCK (7825) or visit www.tulsaoilers.com for more information.
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The Tulsa Oilers Family, consisting of the Tulsa Oilers Hockey Team (ECHL) the Tulsa Oilers Football Team (IFL), The Oilers Ice Center and the WeStreet Ice Center aims to provide entertainment and camaraderie for the Greater Tulsa community. Starting originally as a hockey team in 1928, the Oilers added Tulsa Oilers Football, The Oilers Ice Center and announced the construction of the WeStreet Ice Center in 2022. The Oilers Family continues to grow and provide top-tier entertainment in 2023 and beyond.
