Bryan Rodney has tallied a goal & two points in six games since being acquired by the Oilers/Barons (Photo by Steven Christy).

The Edmonton Oilers sent reinforcements for the Oklahoma City Barons and their push to the Calder Cup playoffs in the form of a puck moving defenseman acquired in a trade on February 16.

The Oilers sent center Ryan O’Marra to the Anaheim Ducks for defenseman Bryan Rodney. The 6-0, 204 pound blueliner from London, Ontario is a seventh-year pro who has played in 445 professional games, scoring 46 goals and adding 203 assists.

Rodney, a two-time American Hockey League All-Star, has appeared in 33 NHL games over the course of his career.

The defenseman got to experience his first win with the Barons against Milwaukee on February 18, and he says it felt good.

"Awesome," Rodney said. "Didn’t win too much on the last team I played for, and to get a nice solid win… when we didn’t have the best start, didn’t play a full 60 minutes and to still come out with a win feels good."

Rodney scored a power-play goal and added an assist on the man advantage in that win. Working the power play is an aspect of Rodney’s game that he has discovered in his professional career.

"That’s a part of my game. It’s something that I’ve sort of had my pro career… I’m just the guy who takes the puck up the ice. It’s all five of us. If one of isn’t going, we’re not going to be going. It’s not up to me or any one guy on the power play but the other four guys, they can all pass and shoot so I don’t see any problems with us getting cohesion and getting hot here down the stretch."

Rodney is known for his offensive contributions. In 41 games with Syracuse this season, he scored five goals and added 15 assists. In six games with the Barons, he has two points (1-1-2). Rodney was also a team captain for Charlotte last season and totaled 47 points (9-38-47) in 77 games.

His impressions of his new team and city so far are good.

"Great impression," Rodney said. "Driving in from the airport to the hotel, it looks like a great city. Coming to the rink, coming downtown here it seems like a great atmosphere, a great place to play hockey and from some of the guys who have either come through here or played against this team or played here that I know, they’ve said it’s a great spot."

"Great reviews and it’s lived up to it’s billing so far."

For Rodney, getting traded to a team that’s sitting towards the top of the league in the points standings is like a breath of fresh air and he’s ready to contribute.

"When you go from last to first, obviously your perspective on where the season is going changes. For me, I just want to come in here and add to what they have going."

The Barons, start the final four games of a six-game stretch away from the Cox Convention Center, this Friday in Peoria. The trip includes a Saturday contest in Grand Rapids, Sunday afternoon in Chicago.  The trip concludes Wednesday in Peoria. Oklahoma City, with a record of 35-15-2-3 and 75 standings points, is battling with the Norfolk Admirals and St. John’s IceCaps for the most points in the league.

Author: Chris Wescott, OKCBarons.com Prospect Stats Updated as of Thursday, March 1, 2012.