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.

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.