OKC Barons: Summer begins as players say their goodbyes Sunday at Cox Center

Some players — such as Magnus Paajarvi and Teemu Hartikainen — are virtually assured of returning to the Edmonton Oilers organization, though they could play exclusively for the National Hockey League team next season.

Young players such as Hunter Tremblay and Tanner House are likely to play for the American Hockey League team in Oklahoma City again.

Others, like veterans Ryan Keller, Josh Green and Yann Danis, are unrestricted free agents. They could wind up returning to OKC, signing elsewhere in North America or heading overseas.

Defenseman Colten Teubert broke through and saw his first action in the NHL this season. But for the second consecutive season, an injury cut his year short.

This year, it was a puck to the face in the final game of the first-round playoff series against Houston.

“I think the best way to describe it is you're just stressed out all the time, pacing back and forth up there watching the games,” Teubert said. “Nobody likes to watch, I don't care if you're injured or a healthy scratch.”

Teubert made significant progress in his first full season with the Oilers organization. Between stints with Edmonton, he contributed to the Barons' 45-24-9 record and Western Division championship. Oklahoma City entered the playoffs as the top seed in the Western Conference.

“I'm definitely more mature as a pro because I was up and down so many times,” Teubert said. “Oklahoma really helped me out a lot, making me a better player.”

The end of the season was stunning for Teubert, who hoped to return if the Barons advanced to the Calder Cup Finals. Instead, the Barons were eliminated in the conference championship round by the Toronto Marlies.

“It's always surreal when you lose,” Teubert said. “I look at our team and I thought we were untouchable. But there's always guys out there or teams out there that have a standard. We want to get to that standard so that we can raise a cup, here or in Edmonton.”