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Cheesman Joins Rank; Kinley, Urquhart Return

March 23, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, the proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons, has claimed right wing Bo Cheesman off waivers from the Wheeling Nailers, Thunder head coach Matt Thomas announced today.

In addition, it was announced that defenseman Cleve Kinley (KIHN-lee) and veteran center Cory Urquhart (URK-hart) have been reassigned to the Thunder from Springfield.

"Anytime you can acquire a 30-goal scorer, especially late in the season, it's an opportunity worth taking for our hockey club," said Thomas. "Bo plays a very feisty and fearless style. His willingness to go to the front of the net to score goals is a much welcomed commodity that we're looking forward to adding to our offense."

Cheesman, 27, along with Kinley and Urquhart, are expected to be available to suit up for the Thunder on Tuesday against the Victoria Salmon Kings, beginning at 7:00 p.m. (1420 KSTN/StocktonThunder.com) at Stockton Arena.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound right winger has skated in 241 career ECHL games over the course of five seasons (2004-09), scoring 151 points (74g-77a) and posting 240 penalty minutes with the Nailers, Alaska Aces, Long Beach Ice Dogs and Peoria Rivermen. Cheesman has also added seven points (4g-3a) in 15 career Kelly Cup Playoff games.

Last season, Cheesman enjoyed career-highs in goals (30), assists (27) and points (57) in 72 games for Alaska, helping guide the Aces to the second round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs while adding two assists in six playoff games. His seven game-winning goals led the Aces and his nine power-play goals ranked second on the club.

After missing the first 42 games of the 2008-09 regular season due to injury, Cheesman was acquired by Wheeling on Jan. 27 from Alaska for future considerations and scored six points (3g-3a) in 18 games for the Nailers.

The native of Guildford, England spent four years (2001-05) of his college hockey career at Lake Superior State University (NCAA) and skated in 144 career games for the Lakers, scoring 49 points (26g-23a) and amassing 109 penalty minutes. Cheesman, who is reunited on the Thunder roster with former college teammate and defenseman Mark Adamek, enjoyed a college career-high 11 goals - pacing the program - and adding a career-best 19 points (11g-7a) in 35 games as a 2003-04 junior.

Kinley, 25, has skated in two games this year for Springfield and leads all Thunder defensemen this year with 27 points (4g-23a), posting 74 penalty minutes in 44 games. The 6-foot, 190-pound defenseman was signed to an AHL contract by Springfield last summer and has skated in 119 career games as a pro with Stockton and Texas of the ECHL, Grand Rapids and Springfield of the AHL and Muskegon of the UHL, scoring 65 points (10g-55a) while notching 143 penalty minutes.

Urquhart ranks second on the Thunder with a career-high 58 points (28g-30a) in 56 games, additionally posting 32 penalty minutes this season. Urquhart ranks fourth on the Thunder with six power-play goals and was selected in the second round (40th overall) by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound forward was one of three Thunder players to represent the National Conference at the 2009 ECHL All-Star Game and has posted an assist in eight games this year for Springfield.

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for three consecutive seasons and drew 239,337 fans to Stockton Arena in 2007-08. Season tickets, group tickets, individual tickets and mini plans are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.StocktonThunder.com.

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