The Stockton Thunder Back In The Hunt(s) / #StkThunder

The Hunt Is On - Garet, Trevor Re-Sign

08/25/2010 10:49 AM - Two-time "Fan Favorite" Award Recipient Garet Hunt, brother Trevor return to Stockton for 2010-11

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MORE: GARET HUNT CAREER STATISTICS
MORE: TREVOR HUNT CAREER STATISTICS
VIDEO: Matt Thomas Discusses the Return of Garet and Trevor Hunt
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Garet Hunt (right) scraps with Brendan Milnamow of the Idaho Steelheads. (photo by Sean Blair)

STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks, and head coach Matt Thomas announced today the team has signed unrestricted free agent left wing Garet Hunt and rookie defenseman Trevor Hunt. Per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

The transaction reunites the brothers, who played together on the Thunder 2009-10 squad that made its first appearance in the Conference Final. They have increased the total to five players returning from last season's team.

"Garet brings back familiar elements of energy, work ethic and fearlessness that are vital supplements for our team and have deservedly earned the admiration of our fan base," said Thomas. "He provides energy with the way his style rubs off on the rest of our group. He's handled his role as a true professional and realizes how it fits into our scheme, but is aware of the possibilities for his continued development."

Of Trevor Hunt, Thomas said, "Trevor enters his first full season with a lot of promise and potential. We were impressed with how he handled the professional environment coming out of college last year and we're looking for him to contribute with a solid, two-way style, similar to what Ryan Constant has provided over the last two seasons. He won't back down physically, is capable of handling the puck and possesses a hard shot from the point that we're excited to continue developing."

Garet, 22, will be entering his third season as a member of the Thunder and has been the recipient of the Thunder "Fan Favorite" Award for two consecutive seasons. He has spent his entire ECHL career of two seasons (2008-10) in a Thunder uniform, suiting up in 115 career games, scoring 28 points (10g-18a) while ranking second on the Thunder all-time list with 463 penalty minutes.

The 5-foot-8, 190-pound forward has also appeared in 26 lifetime Kelly Cup Games, scoring eight points (6g-2a) and totaling 30 penalty minutes.

Last season, Garet led the Thunder with 215 penalty minutes in 52 games and added five goals and 12 points (5g-7a). He scored four points (2g-2a) in 12 Kelly Cup Playoff games, including a game-winning goal.

In 193 career games, spanning four seasons (2004-08) in the Western Hockey League with the Vancouver Giants, he collected 542 penalty minutes and 41 points (16g-25a).

"I wanted to come back to Stockton because of many factors," said Garet. "I'm really looking forward to a special opportunity in playing alongside my brother. The fan support at Stockton Arena is second to none and I've really enjoyed my role and the opportunities to grow under Coach Thomas' style. He gives us a chance to win the Kelly Cup and that's the ultimate goal. I've got a good feeling about our chances this year."

"I'm looking forward to playing with Garet and enjoying that opportunity for the whole season," said Trevor. "From the time I spent in Stockton, late last season, the feel I got from the fans and community was incredible. It makes me excited for the upcoming year. I'm looking forward to contributing by playing a defensively sound, physical style and generating offense when the chances come my way."

Trevor Hunt generated two
assists in 8 ECHL games
from the blueline, coming
out of college.
(photo by George Steckler)

Trevor, 24, will enter his first full season of professional hockey after originally signing an amateur tryout contract with the Thunder on March 17, 2010 and notching two assists and 15 penalty minutes in eight ECHL games.

Previously, the 5-foot-10, 190-pound blueliner spent all four seasons (2006-10) of his college hockey career at the University of Alaska-Anchorage (NCAA), suiting up in 100 games for the Seawolves while totaling 22 points (5g-17a) and 114 penalty minutes.

As a 2008-09 junior, he recorded a career-high 12 points (4g-8a), four goals and eight assists in 36 games.

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 and Alaska Aces meet in the preseason opener on Oct. 5 at Sullivan Arena, beginning at 8:15 p.m. The Thunder and Ontario Reign square off in the only preseason game at Stockton Arena on Friday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m.

The Thunder are freezing Season Ticket Prices for the 2010-11 season, which are on sale now can be purchased by calling (209) 373-1500 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (209) 373-1500 end_of_the_skype_highlighting 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 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (209) 373-1500 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or visit http://www.stocktonthunder.com/.

-Written by the Stocktn Thunder-

AHL Schedule Announced!

The AHL released their season schedule today. The Barons will open up their season and a 4 game homestand on Oct 9th in Oklahoma City against the Houston Aeros. They will play the Chicago Wolves the next day. Their first game against the defending Western Conference champions, the Texas Stars, will be Nov 5th in OKC. That game will also kick off an 8 game homestand. The Barons first trip to Canada will be Oct 23rd to take on the Toronto Marlies and the Hamilton Bulldogs the following night. Feb 17th, the Barons will travel to Calgary to take on the Abbotsford Heat in the Saddledome. To check out the entire Barons schedule, click here.

The Young Stars Tournament, is it Important to the Oilers?

If the Edmonton Oilers rookies don't dominate the Young Stars tournament and go undefeated, is that considered a fail? Is this tournament a definite measure of how good our rookies actually are? How much impact does this have for these kids in the long run? How is this Oilers team going to fare against the other rookie teams they are facing? Hmmmm...

After looking at the Calgary Flames Young Stars roster, I think the Oilers have a good chance to win that game. Other than the more experienced goaltending and a couple of forwards, the Flames don't have a top notch roster. No doubt though, based on skill (Hall, Eberle & Paajarvi) I think the Oilers should win this one.

Here is the San Jose Sharks roster. They look beatable no? Sure the Sharks rookies are pretty big, but with the Oilers speed and skill, they should out preform those pesky sharks. If the Oilers do lose one game out of the three, it's this one against the Sharks.

What about the Vancouver Canucks? Here is their roster. Do think the Oil can win this game too? I do. They are led by Cody Hodgson who has some experience so they will be a decent group, but with the Oilers fire power, the Oilers should have the advantage in a straight up run and gun game. If I'm a betting man, this game I put my money on the Oilers.

So if the Oilers play it out like that, a 2 wins, 1 loss record is pretty good. Let's just see what happens. I suppose the big question will be to see if they can get it together and work as a team right from day 1?

Anything less than a 2 wins 1 loss record will not be disastrous, but definitely not a good thing for the organization, publicity included. But then again, I may be reading too much into a rookie tournament. Maybe this is all fluff and show and not meat and potatoes like I'm thinking it is?

Regardless, I can't wait to see these kids in action.

On a side note: Look at the roster below and pay attention for these games. Many of these kids might be with the OKC Barons this year and there isn't much footage from there.

HERE IS THE OILERS ROSTER

Forwards
Cameron Abney RW Right 6' 4" 192 23 May 1991 Aldergrove, BC, CAN
Philippe Cornet LW LEFT 6' 0" 173 28 Mar 1990 Val-Senneville, QC, CAN
Drew Czerwonka LW LEFT 6' 2" 192 1 Jul 1992 Glenavon, SK, CAN
Jordan Eberle C Right 5' 10" 174 15 May 1990 Regina, SK, CAN
Taylor Hall LW Left 6' 1" 185 14 Nov 1991 Calgary, AB, CAN
Curtis Hamilton LW Left 6' 3" 202 4 Dec 1991 Kelowna, BC, CAN
Teemu Hartikainen C Left 6' 1" 198 3 May 1990 Kuopio, FIN
Milan Kytnar C Left 6' 0" 180 19 May 1989 Topolcany, SVK
James Livingston RW Right 6' 1" 210 8 MAR 1990 Newmarket, ON, CAN camp invite
Ryan Martindale C Left 6' 3" 183 27 Oct 1991 Brooklin, ON, CAN
Magnus Paajarvi LW Left 6' 1" 201 12 Apr 1991 Norrkoping, SWE
Kristians Pelss F Left 5' 11" 179 9 Sep 1992 Preili, LATVIA
Tyler Pitlick C Right 6' 2" 194 1 Nov 1991 Centerville, MN, USA
Chase Schaber C Left 6' 0" 194 3 JAN 1991 Red Deer, AB, CAN camp invite
Mike Thomas RW Right 6' 0" 185 8 FEB 1990 New Maryland, NB, CAN camp invite
Chris Vande Velde C Left 6' 2" 190 15 Mar 1987 Moorhead, MN, USA

Defencemen
Jordan Bendfeld Right 6' 2" 216 2 FEB 1988 Leduc, AB, CAN
Jeremie Blain Right 6' 2" 190 19 Mar 1992 Longueuil, QC, CAN
Brandon Davidson Left 6' 1" 190 21 Aug 1991 Taber, AB, CAN
Dallas Ehrhardt Left 6' 4" 210 31 Jul 1992 CALGARY, AB, CAN camp invite
Martin Marincin Left 6' 4" 187 18 Feb 1992 Kosice, SVK
Johan Motin Right 6' 1" 202 10 Oct 1989 Karlskoga, SWE
Jeff Petry Right 6' 3" 176 9 Dec 1987 Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Alex Plante Right 6' 4" 225 9 MAY 1989 BRANDON, MB, CAN
Dominik Schlumpf Left 6' 1" 175 3 MAR 1991 Switzerland camp invite
Nolan Toigo Left 6' 1" 187 22 JUL 1989 Delta, BC, CAN camp invite

Goaltenders
Tyler Bunz Left 6' 1" 196 11 Feb 1992 St. Albert, AB, CAN
Bryan Pitton Left 6' 2" 168 26 Jan 1988 Mississauga, ON, CAN
Olivier Roy Left 6' 0" 165 12 Jul 1991 Amqui, QC, CAN

HERE IS THE SCHEDULE

Game 1 Vancouver vs Edmonton Sept. 12 4:00pm
Game 2 San Jose vs Anaheim Sept. 12 7:30pm
Game 3 Anaheim vs Calgary Sept. 13 4:00pm
Game 4 San Jose vs Vancouver Sept. 13 7:30pm
Game 5 Calgary vs Edmonton Sept. 14 7:30pm
Game 6 Anaheim vs Vancouver Sept. 15 4:00pm
Game 7 Edmonton vs San Jose Sept. 15 7:30pm
Game 8 Calgary vs Vancouver Sept. 16 12:00pm

**Don't forget that we will have the LIVE TweetCast of the tournament AND we will have the LIVE streaming Oilers games shown right here in the comfort our site. ;) **

-Written by Smokin' Ray-

Are You Attending The Rookie Young Stars Tournament?

As most of you know, we here (the Jambalaya Family and OFH.com) like to do LIVE TweetCast's of events that most people can't attend to provide a more in depth look at what is going on.

The Young Stars tournament is no exception.

We are looking for people who will be at the tournament that can tweet what they see as it unfolds. We need the help of you to make this a success.

If you are going, let us know ( email ) so we can have your tweets included in our LIVE TweetCast of the Young Stars tournament. This will indeed be a special rookie tournament for all those that get to watch it live.

Stay tuned in September for the Jambalaya families and the OilFieldHockey.com LIVE TweetCast and LIVE video footage of the games.

Brought To You By:
OilFieldHockey
Oilers Jambalaya
Flames Jambalaya
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Jack Michaels Is The New Play By Play Guy

The Edmonton Oilers have hired a new voice for the team. Jack Michaels will be the guy behind the mic. We look forward to hearing him call the games and this announcement was a big mystery to all that followed. Good luck Jack and welcome to Oil Country.

-Smokin' Ray-

Here is what the Oilers say about Jack. As per the Oilers website:

Broadcaster comes to Edmonton with over 900 hockey broadcasts on resume

Tuesday, 24.08.2010 / 9:30 AM / News By Edmonton Oilers Press Release

Jack Michaels, the Oilers new play-by-play voice.

The Edmonton Oilers today announced that Jack Michaels has been named to the position of radio play by play voice of the Edmonton Oilers. Michaels will partner with host and color commentator Bob Stauffer in delivering all Oilers games via the Oilers Radio Network and flagship station 630 CHED.


“We welcome Jack to Oil Country,” said Oilers President and CEO Patrick LaForge. “We underwent a comprehensive search to find the right voice with the right credentials and chemistry to launch this new era of Oilers Radio.”

Jack Michaels, the Oilers
new play-by-play voice.

Michaels, a veteran of over 900 hockey broadcasts, joins the Oilers after eight seasons as the radio and television voice of the ECHL’s Alaska Aces. While with the Aces, Michaels was honoured as the ECHL Broadcaster of the Year in 2004 and was selected by the ECHL to broadcast their annual All Star Game on five separate occasions. Last year’s All Star broadcast was available to over 80 million homes on the NHL Network and Fox Sports West.


“An NHL play by play job has been a dream and believe me this is now a dream come true,” said Michaels. “I know fans have keenly listened to Oilers broadcasts for three decades of fabulous moments, and frankly I can’t wait to get started.”


NHL Hall of Fame broadcaster Mike Emrick, voice of NHL Hockey on NBC said of Michaels, “I first met Jack five years ago, and was immediately struck by the quality of his call, his professionalism and his passion for the game. He’s a great young guy who has it all. There is no question he is 100% NHL ready."


Michaels’ career began after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from Ithaca College in New York. He started as a sports reporter at Cornell University and Ithaca College and then moved on to Erie Pennsylvania and New York City as a Sports Reporter and Production Assistant. Michaels then moved full-time to the hockey world, joining the Colorado Gold Kings of the WCHL where he was the play by play voice for three seasons before moving to Anchorage, Alaska.


Michaels and Stauffer will broadcast all Edmonton Oilers games this year with the exception of 10 ‘Rod’s Classics’ games when Rod Phillips, the Oilers Hall of Fame voice for the past 37 years, will be in the play by play chair.


Edmonton Oilers hockey is presented in part by the Rexall Family of Pharmacies, Molson Canadian, ATB Financial, TELUS, Cenovus Energy and Ford.