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Veteran Cullaton Headlines Offensive Additions

September 10, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL) - Wichita Thunder News Release


WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Thunder greatly strengthened its offense on Friday, signing forwards Brent Cullaton, Chris Falloon, Brad Bonello, and Bobby Hughes.

Cullaton (pronounced KULL-uh-ton) heads into his 15th season of professional hockey with 803 career points to his name in 824 games played. Cullaton was an integral member of the Laredo Bucks' 2004 and 2006 Ray Miron President's Cup teams where he served as team captain. In his CHL career, Cullaton has tallied 116 goals and 370 points in just 270 games. The Petawawa, Ontario native spent parts of five seasons with Laredo during which he won two "Fastest Skater" titles at CHL All-Star Games (2004 and 2005).

The 35-year old Cullaton also played a major role in the Rocky Mountain Rage's turnaround in 2007-08, ranking second in the league with 71 assists and fourth with a career-best 92 points. Cullaton finished 11th in the league with 72 points the following season, splitting the year with both Rocky Mountain and Laredo. After playing college hockey at the University of Miami at Ohio, Cullaton began his professional career in 1996-97 with the IHL's Kansas City Blades. Cullaton has eclipsed 50 points in a season 10 different times and has four years of experience at the AHL level.

Falloon (pronounced fuh-LOON) enters his first full season of American professional hockey. Falloon spent most of last year playing in Denmark, scoring 35 points in 36 games for the Odense Bulldogs after posting 21 goals and 47 points the year before with the Fischtown Penguins in Germany. The Souris, Manitoba native finished 2009-10 in the CHL with eventual champion Rapid City, appearing in three regular season and two postseason contests. The 27-year old right wing played four seasons of college hockey at the University of Manitoba, scoring 49 goals and 124 points in 131 games for the Bisons from 2004-2008. Falloon also played six years of Major Juniors with the WHL's Prince George Cougars from 1999-2004. Falloon scored 100 goals and 227 points in 336 career junior games.

Bonello (pronounced buh-NELL-oh) played overseas last year, scoring nine goals and 27 points in 34 games for Fassa HC in the Italian League. The sixth-year left winger heads into 2010 with 186 career points in 271 professional games. A native of Brampton, Ontario, Bonello spent the 2008-09 season in the CHL, splitting time with Texas, Mississippi, and Amarillo. Bonello's best statistical season came in 2007-08 with the ECHL's Dayton Bombers where he notched 19 goals and 42 points in 67 games. The 26-year old spent four seasons in the OHL, scoring 191 points in 242 games from 2001-2005.

Hughes returns to Wichita after scoring six points in the Thunder's final nine games last season. A former fourth round draft pick by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, Hughes has seen action in the AHL each of the last two years. The 22-year old center excelled in the Major Junior ranks with 253 points in 243 games for the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs from 2003-2007. The Richmond Hill, Ontario native totaled 40 goals and 56 points in just 59 games for Kingston in 2006-07.

2010-11 Signings (through September 10th) Jesse Bennefield (RW) Brad Bonello (LW) Brent Cullaton (RW) Aaron Davis (C) Chris Falloon (RW) Shane Foster (RW) Lance Galbraith (LW) Chris Greene (C) Jason Goulet (D) Ryan Hand (D) Matt Hubbauer (C) Bobby Hughes (C) Ian Keserich (G) Adam Knight (RW) Andrew Martens (D) Kory Scoran (D) Peter Stevens (D) Daniel Tetrault (D) Jason Woll (D)

The Thunder opens the 2010-11 season on Friday, October 15th against the Tulsa Oilers at the BOK Center. The Thunder hosts Tulsa the following night at 7:05 p.m. at the INTRUST Bank Arena. The Thunder also hosts the Oilers for an exhibition game on Friday, October 8th at the Wichita Ice Center. Tickets are just $10 General Admission and are on sale now. For more information, call the Thunder office at (316) 264-GOAL.


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