Benton's Blog / Euro Trip / Stockton Thunder Loses Players

EURO TRIP

07/29/2010 10:06 AM - Benton's Blog

Didn't we document in this blog space several weeks ago about the lure of Europe?

It's happening. The lure of big money, less games and international competition has taken some bite out of the Thunder roster from 2009-10:

- Chris D'Alvise (pictured) - Italy
- Justin DaCosta - Czech Republic
- J.F. Caudron - Italy
- Colin Hemingway - England

Andrew Perugini, Kelly Czuy and Bryan Young have also signed overseas, but they're asterisks in the "players leaving" category because they were under an NHL or AHL contract last season, not an ECHL contract.

That's now seven players from last season's playoff roster we can address as "the departed."

Now, stop before you hit that big, red, shiny, imposing panic button.

1. As we've said many times, don't forget how much the ECHL is now a "step-ladder" league where you celebrate your favorite player moving up, not witnessing the huge chunk of veterans whose careers are dying. Europe, as much of the AHL and NHL, is part of that.

2. Don't overlook the leadership core retained from last season (Valette, Marcoux) - with Steve Vanoosten already inked for next season. Anthony Aiello, Garet Hunt and Trevor Hunt have expressed their interest in returning, so we'll see how those play out. Assuming those potentials come to fruition, you have six returners back into the mix.

3. There's also rights retained to Aiello, Ryan Constant, Jason Pitton and more - making the potential returners at eight.

4. There are 19 teams this season - meaning - less jobs, meaning - more premium players available on the free agent market.

5. The affiliation factor and how much it can provide you with supplemental, elite-ECHL level talent and lure more potential free agents with the possibility of playing in front of said affiliated team's scouts and upper brass.

With all those factors, eight returners in a roster of 20 active players isn't a bad ratio in a league that can often serve as a revolving door, year-after-year.

It's still only late July, and the hot stove season hasn't even kicked into fifth gear. Enjoy it and with how the Thunder roster for 2010-11 is continuing to evolve!

Mike Benton has served the Thunder as radio broadcaster since the team's inception. Got a question or comment? E-mail Mike at mbenton@stocktonthunder.com

-Written by Mike Benton of the StocktonThunder.com-

*reprinted by OilersJambalaya.com with permission from the Stockton Thunder hockey club*

No More Edmonton Oilers PPV's?

Picture Stolen From SportsnetONE

On the radio yesterday, Mark Spector was talking about how Rogers Sportsnet is going to have SportsnetONE, a new channel that will have more NHL hockey games shown on it. He said the Canaucks will no longer have PPV games because this new channel bought those games to show for free. Mind you, you will have to pay the $2.99 a month to get this extra channel, but if you take into consideration that each PPV game is $14.95 to order, the $2.99 a month sounds cheap to me.

Let's hope that this wicked new channel does the same for the Oilers games too. I HATE PPV's!!! And I'm cheap. ;)

-Written by Smokin' Ray-

Stockton Thunder Signs Prospect Jordan Cyr

Thunder Signs Prospect Jordan Cyr

07/28/2010 9:20 AM - Holy Cross product finished as leading scorer last two seasons

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MORE: Jordan Cyr career statistics
VIDEO: Matt Thomas discusses signing Jordan Cyr

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 signed free agent rookie left wing Jordan Cyr (SEER). Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"Jordan was a player we were trying to sign toward the end of last season when college players became free agents, so we're excited to finally get him on board," said Thomas. "He was one of the first players I actively recruited this offseason and all signs point to him being a first year, impact forward, similar to Oren Eizenman and Chris D'Alvise when they were rookies. He has touch, ability to put the puck in the net and make other players better that are around him."

Jordan Cyr led Holy Cross
in scoring for the last
two seasons, leading to
back-to-back program MVP honors.

(photo by Peter Cooke)

Cyr, 24, is the reigning back-to-back leading scorer and Most Valuable Player honoree for College of the Holy Cross (NCAA) and last season, paced the Crusaders with 30 points (14g-16a) in 29 games while registering a career high 16 assists.

The 5-foot-10, 186-pound winger enjoyed a career-high 19 goals and 32 points (19g-13a) in 37 games as a 2008-09 sophomore.

Through three collegiate seasons (2006-07, 2008-10) at Holy Cross and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (NCAA), he scored 63 points (34g-29a) in 77 games and was a teammate of two-year Thunder center Oren Eizenman as a 2006-07 freshman at R.P.I.

"I'm looking forward to bringing a very hard working approach and scoring touch to Stockton, night in and night out," said Cyr. "I pride myself on being an offensive player and reliable at both ends of the ice. It's very exciting to come to what seems to be an absolute, first class organization in the Thunder, that has tons of fan support and is a fun place to play."

The contract signing marks the fourth player to sign with the Thunder, joining captain and center Craig Valette and defensemen Daryl Marcoux and Steve Vanoosten.

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-

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

Derrick The Baron / Mascot for OKC Barons / Winner Announced

After months of fans waiting -- and me bugging them -- the OKC Barons announced that Derrick the Baron is the new mascot for the Oklahoma City Barons hockey club.

OKC Barons Logo

The winner of the Name The Mascot contest was Sara Silverhorn. As the winner of the Barons Name the Mascot contest, she wins a VIP trip for two to Dallas to see the Barons parent club, the Edmonton Oilers, take on the Dallas Stars in January. Congrats Sara!

Did I mention that Derrick is a mountain lion? Confused on why a mountain lion? Me too. But then I read this and it makes sense.

Below in BLUE is what the OKCBarons.com site had to say about the new mascot;

The Oklahoma City Barons are proud to introduce their mascot, Derrick. Although his territory can stretch from the base of the Rocky Mountains all the way into the plains, he chooses Oklahoma City as his home.


Derrick’s ancestors were among the group of mountain lions first sighted in Oklahoma in the mid-1800’s. Since that time, his family has honed their skills to be good athletes, great entertainers and a champion for their favorite sports team. Several of Derrick’s relatives have been involved in sports including football, baseball and basketball in places spanning the country including West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Colorado and California.

However, Derrick felt he had a different calling. Although he liked being outdoors, there was something about the sport of ice hockey. The crisp passes, the hard hits, the effortless skating of the players and the enthusiasm of the crowds drew Derrick to hockey like a moth to a porch light.


Derrick’s training was complete and he was ready to be a part of his own team. His own hockey team. The crisp passes, the hard hits, the effortless skating and the enthusiasm of the crowd connected with Derrick very deeply. Once he learned of the Oklahoma City Barons, Derrick knew in his heart he had found his team. The Barons represented his mountain lions’ ideals on and off the ice. A foundation of strength and pride in his teammates, caring about the fans and providing fun, family entertainment to the residents of Oklahoma City. Immediately, he began his journey from the high plains of the Rocky Mountains to Oklahoma City. Derrick was seen exploring the halls of the Cox Convention Center by the Barons staff. He wasn’t stalking any prey, he was learning the easiest way to engage fans, take pictures and give high five to fans. That display of passion for Barons’ hockey led to an interview and Derrick was officially hired July 27, 2010.


Although fierce looking, he has a soft side and loves to take time to stop and give a high five, take a picture with a fan or sign an autograph. He looks forward meeting each and every Barons fan. Derrick is available for appearances at any function. Contact the Barons office at 232-GOAL to have Derrick make your next group outing, church function or birthday party memorable for all who attend.


Well I guess I don't have much left to bug the Barons about anymore. Oh yeah... they still need a General Manager. I'll get on that tomorrow.  ; )

-Written by Smokin' Ray-

Gilbert Brule Re-Signs With Oilers / Sam Gagner Next?

Gilbert Brule an RFA, signed a 2 year deal today with the Edmonton Oilers worth $1.85 million per year. With the new deal, Brule avoids arbitration that was scheduled for August 3rd. I expect Brule to have a good year this season. He has lots to prove.

Sam Gagner has still not signed a new contract with the Oilers yet. Gagner is also a RFA and one would have to think that he would be next in line to sign with the Oilers. No doubt he was waiting to see what Brule got before he proceed to negotiate his deal. Does Gagner try and go for $3.5 - $4 million a year range? You bet, but I think he signs for $3 million a season range. Just a guess. Stay tuned on more Gagner contract news right here at OilersJambalaya.com.

-Written by Smokin' Ray-