FSU's Craig Pefley Becomes Third Bulldog Hockey Senior To Sign Pro Contract

Big Rapids, Mich. – Ferris State University men's ice hockey senior forward Craig Pefley (St. Clair) has signed a contract to join the ECHL's Tulsa Oilers to begin his professional hockey career. The Oilers are the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the San Antonio Rampage and the National Hockey League (NHL) partner of the St. Louis Blues.

Pefley was a member of the 2015-16 freshman class that helped lead the Bulldogs to a WCHA Championship and NCAA Regional Final. He made his impact felt when he burst onto the scene the following season when he registered 15 points in his first 15 games with five multi-point games in that span.

A native of St. Clair, Michigan, Pefley also became the first Bulldog since Matt Robertson (Class of 2016) to register multiple four-point games in the same calendar year.

Pefley is on track to graduate this coming May. He is a high achiever in the classroom as a three-time WCHA All-Academic Team member and Scholar Athlete. When Pefley graduates, he will officially become Ferris State's 27th alum active in professional hockey in the 2018-19 season. Classmate Ryker Killins became the 25th earlier this week when he signed with the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays while Corey Mackin became the 26th in signing with the Reading Royals in the ECHL.

When he dresses for the Oilers, Pefley will join the company of Brandon Anselmini, Chad Billins, Jason Binkley, Kyle Bonis, Justin Buzzeo, Brendan Connolly, Simon Denis, Mike Embach, Cory Kane, Ryker Killins, Chris Kunitz, Ryan Lowney, Corey Mackin, Mitch Maloney, Gerald Mayhew, Troy Milam, Adam Miller, CJ Motte, Pat Nagle, Derek Nesbitt, Zach Redmond, Blair Riley, Matt Roberston, Kyle Schempp, Garrett Thompson, Jared VanWormer, and Charles Williams as active professional alumni.

The Oilers are one of the ECHL's top teams this season and are tied atop the ECHL's Mountain Conference.