Stockton Thunder Re-Sign Steve Vanoosten

Steve Vanoosten Re-Signs For 2010-11

07/21/2010 9:30 AM -
Free agent blueliner is third member returning from 09-10 Conference Finalist

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MORE: Steve Vanoosten career statistics
VIDEO: Matt Thomas discusses Steve Vanoosten re-signing


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers, and head coach Matt Thomas announced today that the team has re-signed unrestricted free agent defenseman Steve Vanoosten (Van-OO-stehn). Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"Steve progressed really well in his first pro season and we're eager to see what he can do in continuing to develop as a solid, two-way defenseman," said Thomas. "I thought he was, arguably, one of the best players on the ice for us consistently throughout the playoffs. He was solid in shutting down the other team's top units and was huge on our power-play. The sky's the limit for him in terms of what he's capable of doing."

Steve Vanoosten's highlight game was a 3-assist effort in Game 4 of the National Conference Final against the Idaho Steelheads.

(photo by Sean Blair)

Vanoosten, 25, returns for his second season in a Thunder uniform after suiting up in 52 games for the club last year, scoring 19 points (3g-16a) and adding a +6 rating from the blueline.

His scoring output improved into the Kelly Cup Playoffs, when he registered seven points (2g-5a) and two power-play goals in 15 games, helping guide the Thunder to their first ever appearance in the Conference Finals.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound blueliner was originally signed by the Thunder as a free agent on August 4, 2009 and posted a career-high three points (assists) in the playoffs, against the Idaho Steelheads on May 7 (Game 4, National Conference Final).

Vanoosten, a native of Langley, B.C., previously spent four years (2005-09) of his college hockey career at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks (NCAA) where he skated in 145 career games, scoring 20 points (3g-17a) while amassing 93 penalty minutes.

He recorded a college career-high seven points (1g-6a) and added 22 penalty minutes in 38 games as a 2006-07 sophomore.

"Definitely, the excitement is high to come back this next season," said Vanoosten. "We finished on a good note last year by making it far in the playoffs and I'm excited to see what our team can do in building off it. Coming back to the city of Stockton is exciting because of the fan support and it was a pleasant surprise to see how the game has grown in California. I'm expecting to pick up where I left off last season, contribute with a growing role, and help our team make another great run together."

The contract signing marks the third player to return from last season's Thunder roster, joining captain and center Craig Valette and defenseman Daryl Marcoux.

OPENING NIGHT AND TICKET INFORMATION
Opening Night is Friday, Oct. 15, when the Thunder opens the 2010-11 regular season at home against the Ontario Reign, starting at 7:30 p.m. at Stockton Arena.

The Thunder are freezing Season Ticket Prices for the 2010-11 season, which are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (209) 373-1500 or by visiting http://www.stocktonthunder.com/. Thunder Season Ticket Holders enjoy the highest-demanded seating locations in Stockton Arena, preferred parking options, benefits including admission to Season Ticket Holder-only events, discount opportunities on Thunder merchandise, a free e-newsletter, an exclusive gift, admission to the first two rounds of the Kelly Cup Playoffs and more. Information on individual and group tickets will be announced soon.

A two-time recipient of the ECHL "Award of Excellence," Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew over 200,000 fans for the fifth consecutive season in 2009-10. Season Tickets and mini-plans for 2010-11 are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit http://www.stocktonthunder.com/.

-Written by StocktonThunder.com-

*reprinted by OilersJambalaya.com with permission from the Stockton Thunder Hockey Club*

Former OKC Blazer will play in OKC

But not for the Barons. The Rockford IceHogs announced today that they have signed Wade Brookbank to an AHL deal. Wade used to play for the Blazers from 99-01 before moving up to play for the Orlando Sun Bears in the old IHL. Wade has bounced around the AHL for most of his career since then but has been called up to the NHL a few times, racking up a total of 127 games, 6 goal, 3 assists and 345 PIM.

Wade played 68 games for the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins last year, netting 3 goals and 4 assists while spending 168 minutes in the penalty box. It'll make for a nice homecoming when Rockford comes to play as Brookbank could be considered a bit of a hockey hero in OKC, being one of very few Blazers players to see the AHL or NHL consistently.
-Written by Eric Rodgers-

The Oklahoma City Barons Today / Starting To Shape Up

Today we take (another) a look at the Oklahoma City Barons and where they stand right now. Things are really starting to take shape and I figured we should revisit the Barons. Steve Tambellini has been doing a credible job at creating a proper structure in OKC and they are progressing quite nicely.

PRODIGAL HOCKEY OWNER: Bob Funk Jr.
AFFILIATE TEAM: Edmonton Oilers
GENERAL MANAGER: ????
ASSISTANT GM: ???? (guessing Pat Quinn?)
HEAD COACH: Todd Nelson
ASSISTANT COACH: Gerry Fleming
TRAINER: Brandon Dionne
EQUIPMENT MANAGER: ????
MASCOT NAME: ????

WEBSITE: http://www.okcbarons.com/
TWITTER: www.twitter.com/okcbaronshockey
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/okcbarons

PROJECTED OKC BARONS ROSTER*

*subject to change

FORWARDS:

C - Ryan O'Marra
C - Chris Vande Velde
C - Brad Moran
C - Teemu Hartikainen
C - Milan Kytnar

LW - Linus Omark
LW - Liam Reddox
LW - Alexandre Giroux
LW - Gregory Stewart
LW- Phillipe Cornet
LW - Matt Marquart (probably will play with the Stockton Thunder)

RW - Magnus Paajarvi/Jordan Eberle (projecting that one of the two will be in OKC)
RW - Colin MacDonald
RW - Ben Ondrus

DEFENCEMEN:

Shawn Belle
Richard Petoit
Jake Taylor
Alex Plante
Jeff Petry
Johan Motin
Jordan Bendfield
Taylor Chorney (possible OKC player)
Theo Peckham (possible OKC player)

GOALIES:

Bryan Pitton
Backup or #1 ????

-Written by Smokin' Ray-

Edmonton's New Arena / A Rant By Oil Freak / Guest Column

Once again here at OilersJambalaya.com we step outside of the boundaries. Today we have a guest post from a gentleman from the Twitter world. I seen his ranting on the arena debate and I asked him if he would want to type it out and post it here at OJ. He said yes. So here it is, an Arena Rant by Oil Freak.

Arena Rant - By Oil Freak

I have been quietly sitting back and listening to the public debate over the construction of a new arena / entertainment facility in Edmonton, but I can't sit by quietly any longer. If I have to listen to one more mouth breathing HYPOCRITE on the tv and radio broadcasts I'm going to PUKE !!!!!!!

The next time I hear someone say "I don't want my tax dollars paying for a new arena" I swear I'm going to explode. They are obviously very narrow minded, misinformed and don’t use the current facility. This is not simply an arena, it’s an “Entertainment Complex”.

These concerned citizens are the same ones that were fine with spending $100 million on a new Art Gallery. Did you hear all of us that won’t be using that facility denouncing the use of public funds in it’s construction.

We finally have an owner that is willing to sink some serious money into a new arena and entertainment facility that will put this city back on the map. Not to mention generate a crap load of revenue and thousands of jobs for the city.

We all love Rexall Place and have many fantastic memories, but the old girl is 35 years old, has no windows, is built in one of the worst parts of town and does very little for generating revenue and jobs in the surrounding area.

Northlands has reported that they could have Rexall retrofitted (a fancy way of saying renovated, lol) for around $190 million. They say 190, I say it will end up costing 250-300 when all is said and done. We have to remember where this information is coming from, Northlands, the group which stands to lose the most should the new project go ahead. Does it make a shred of sense to possibly spend over $250 million for a short term fix? I think not.

You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still just a pig.

Let's move into the new age and take some pride in our city.

I am ecstatic to hear that this project should be getting the go ahead very soon. If you belly achers don't like it, don't come down, cause chances are you don’t support the current facility anyways. You are not welcome to enjoy the fruits of our sports and entertainment culture that we have worked so hard and spent our hard earned money to build. You will all be eating CROW with EGG on your faces very soon, mark my words !

To all the supporters, we'll see you down there in 2014, YEE HAW !!! This will be a successful, state of the art venture that we can all be very proud of.

That's my rant for now, what do you guys think ? Agree or Disagree ? I'd like to hear from you !!!

Hit me up on Twitter @Oilfreak

-Written/Ranted by Oil Freak-

Rowbotham shares his Goals

In this video, Stockton Thunder Owner Brad Rowbotham shares his thoughts on what his team needs to do to be successful during a Fan Forum.