The Three Kids Amaze The World

Now by watching this, if you are an Oilers fan, how can you NOT be excited for the season to start? We are very, very lucky to be able to witness what these three kids will do for this team in the future. GOILERS!

From One Ben To The Other / Stockton Thunder Change Equipment Managers / #StkThunder

Laing to AHL - Calkins Named Successor

09/01/2010 1:28 PM -

Ben Laing (left), who is taking a post in the American Hockey League, helps goaltender Bryan Pitton during Game 3 of the 2010 National Conference Final. (photo by George Steckler)

Laing was recently named 2009-10 ECHL Equipment Manager of the Year; Calkins brings American Hockey League and college experience

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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 that Ben Laing has been named head equipment manager for the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League, and Ben Calkins has been named new head equipment manager of the Thunder.

Calkins, 23, succeeds Laing and is the third equipment manager in Thunder history, joining the club after serving SUNY Plattsburgh (NCAA) as Student Equipment Manager for five seasons (2005-10).

"Ben Laing's promotion is very well deserved and it embodies what our league is all about in regards to career advancement," said Thomas. "He is one of the youngest, top notch equipment managers in our game and has a bright future ahead of him. We're looking forward to Ben Calkins' contributions to our hockey staff. He comes highly recommended from close contacts in the NHL circle and his experience at numerous levels will be valuable in making a seamless transition."

Ben Calkins

The native of Webster, N.Y. will handle management of all day-to-day equipment-related duties of the Thunder dressing room, including maintenance and inventory preservation of team supplies while assisting the hockey operations department with administrative duties and supervision of Thunder game day equipment staff.

Calkins, who has served at both the professional and college level, also garnered experience in the American Hockey League as an Equipment Assistant for the Rochester Americans for seven years (1998-2005).

He was a double-major at SUNY Plattsburgh, receiving his Bachelor of Science degrees in Business and Supply Chain Management in May 2010.

Laing, 27, was named Thunder head equipment manager on Aug. 27, 2009 and earned the ECHL Equipment Manager of the Year award last week on Aug. 6 after completing his second year of service at the professional level, originally breaking into the ECHL with Fresno in 2008-09.

He will administer all equipment related duties for Portland and assist their NHL affiliate, the Buffalo Sabres, with equipment services during the NHL training camp period.

"I would like to thank the entire Stockton Thunder organization for an amazing year," said Laing. "I will never forget the time I spent here. Matt Thomas deserves many thanks for giving me the opportunity to serve on his staff. Stockton is a truly a first class organization and I wish everyone the best in the future."

"I would like to thank Dan Chapman, Matt Thomas, Matt O'Dette and the Thunder organization for granting the opportunity for me to take the next step in my career," said Calkins. "It's an honor to follow in Ben Laing's footsteps and his hard work is an inspiration for the example he set. I'm looking forward to helping serve a first rate team like the Thunder, that has embraced the support of its community and strives to be competitive every year."

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 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 the Stockton Thunder-

Stockton Thunder Makes Trade With Greenville / #StkThunder

Trade Lands Jim McKenzie From Greenville

08/26/2010 1:00 PM - McKenzie, acquired for Igor Gongalsky, was Ottawa draft selection in 2004 and has 64 games experience in AHL
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MORE: JIM McKENZIE CAREER STATISTICS
VIDEO: Matt O'Dette discusses Jim McKenzie for Igor Gongalsky deal

STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks, has acquired right wing Jim McKenzie from the Greenville Road Warriors in exchange for left wing Igor Gongalsky (gawn-GALL-skee), Thunder head coach Matt Thomas announced today.

Jim McKenzie(photo by Andre Ringuette
/NHLi via Getty Images)

"Jim is a player possessing a large frame and impressive offensive tools that fit the role of an imposing power forward," said Thomas. "In the last few seasons, he has demonstrated the knack for scoring and contains upside to his game that has already been proven with significant playing time in the American Hockey League. We're excited about how he fits with our physical, in-your-face team identity."

McKenzie, 26, was originally selected by the Ottawa Senators in the fifth round (141st overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and has appeared in 98 career games in the ECHL, spanning two seasons (2007-08, 2009-10) with the Elmira Jackals and Johnstown Chiefs, scoring 25 goals and 59 points (25g-34a) while collecting 150 penalty minutes. He has one goal in six career Kelly Cup Playoff games.

Last year, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound winger posted career-highs in goals (16), assists (24) and points (40) in 55 games for Johnstown.

McKenzie has also skated in 64 career games throughout three seasons (2007-10) in the AHL with the Binghamton Senators and Lake Erie Monsters, scoring eight points (3g-5a) while posting 33 penalty minutes.

The St. Paul, Minn. native played in 112 career college games with Michigan State University (NCAA), spanning three years (2004-07) while scoring 34 goals and 76 points (34g-42a). He achieved career-highs as a 2006-07 junior when he scored 30 points (12g-18a) in 35 games for the Spartans.

Gongalsky, 24, has appeared in 176 career games in the ECHL with the Thunder and Fresno Falcons and in the AHL with the San Antonio Rampage, scoring 104 points (42g-62a) and posting 358 penalty minutes.

A selection to the National Conference All-Star roster in 2008, he scored 14 goals, 31 points (14g-17a) in 55 games for the Thunder and added nine points (2g-7a) in 14 playoff games last season.

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 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 the Stockton Thunder-

I Have Been Shut Down! and Other Random Jambalaya Thoughts

Yes, I am moving to a new house and the internet will be shut off from today till Sunday. Then we are back. So please no crying that OilersJambalaya.com is going anywhere. We're not, I was kidding in the title.

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RANDOM JAMBALAYA

- So what does everyone think of the new OIL TERMINAL podcast? I loved it. I thought that Eric and Scott where really good at it and they seemed to work well together. It was quite enjoyable. I would like some arguing once in a while though. You guys can't always agree. ;) Maybe they need a splash of Smokin' Ray in there?

- When is Gagner going to get signed? WTF is the holdup? Maybe he DID receive some offers from other teams and he's just making the Oilers sweat it out? All I know is I want this kid signed ASAP.

- Notice how I didn't wonder about Cogs? Maybe I'm over him already? Isn't he traded yet?

- How awesome is that that the OKC Barons are coming to Calgary? February 17th the Barons will take on the Abbotsford Heat in Calgary. The Saddledome should be packed for that game. Maybe we will have a OilersJambalaya.com and OilFieldHockey.com meet up at the game?

- Speaking of the Barons, if you have never been there, you should check out okcbarons.com. They have pretty good website that is just waiting to get going once the season starts. The new season is just about ready to get started. GO BARONS GO!

- Finally, the AHL has realeased their schedules for this up coming season. Check it out here.

- I wish I would have listened to Jack Michaels when the Stockton Thunder was playing the Alaska Aces in the Kelly Cup playoffs. I, for obvious reasons, listened to Mike Benton (Stockton's media guy and the Play by Play guy) instead. Mike's been great to us here at OJ, but I am now wishing I checked out Michaels then.

- Also speaking of the Thunder. Check out StocktonThunder.com. Great site and great people running it.

- If you or someone you know is going to the Young Stars tournament, let us know. We want to hear your take on things.

SEE EVERYONE SUNDAY NIGHT!!!

-Written by Smokin' Ray-

Introducing "The Oil Terminal"

OilFieldHockey.com and OilersJambalaya.com are happy to bring our readers "The Oil Terminal". The Oil Terminal is our podcast of news and our opinions of what's going on in the Oilers Organization. You can find our latest podcast on "The Oil Terminal" tab at the top of Oilfieldhockey.com or by clicking here. Also you can either download the podcast(MP3 format) for offline listening to your device of choice, or you can listen to it right from the Podbean Player on the page. If you have a Comment or have a Question for The Oil Terminal Team, please email us at theoilterminal@oilfieldhockey.com. Or you can message us on Twitter, and be sure to follow us on twitter at @OilFieldHockey, @AHLBarons, and @OilersJambalaya. To stay up to date about we're talking about today, and the latest news from the Oilers, Barons, and the Stockton Thunder.