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Gongalsky Returns, Playoff Roster Announced

April 6, 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 announced right wing Igor Gongalsky (GAWN-gall-skee, EE-gohr) has been returned to the Thunder from loan to the Ukranian National Team.

The roster move completes the team's mandatory 23-man playoff roster, which was due to the ECHL league office at Noon PT on Monday (subject to verification by the ECHL league office). Additionally, it was announced defenseman Sebastien Bisaillon was placed on the seven-day injured reserve list.

Gongalsky, who joined Team Ukraine in preparation for the upcoming 2009 IIHF World Championships, was recalled to the Ukranian National Team on Mar. 26.

The Kiev, Ukraine native was signed by the Thunder as a free agent on Dec. 30, 2008 and has scored 18 points (4g-14a) and posted 84 PIM in 25 games since his arrival in Stockton and scored two assists for the National Conference in the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game in Stockton.

The 6-foot, 225-pound forward has skated in six games for San Antonio of the AHL, registering nine penalty minutes. In 116 career games with Fresno and Stockton of the ECHL, Gongalsky has scored 73 points (28g-45a) and amassed 278 penalty minutes.

Last season, Gongalsky posted 43 points (18g-25a), 18 goals and 140 penalty minutes in 63 games as a rookie for Fresno.

STOCKTON THUNDER PLAYOFF ROSTER:

Goaltenders (2): Andrew Perugini, Bryan Pitton

Defensemen (9): Mark Adamek, Ryan Constant, Robbie Bina*, Sebastien Bisaillon, Tyler Kindle, Cleve Kinley*, Matt O'Dette, Kenny MacAulay*, Daryl Marcoux

Forwards (12): James Bates, Judd Blackwater, Igor Gongalsky, Ryan Huddy, Garet Hunt, Adam Huxley, Mike Lalonde, Brandon Naurato, David Rohlfs, Damian Surma, Cory Urquhart*, Craig Valette

* Denotes currently on recall or loan to respective American Hockey League club (AHL)

KELLY CUP PLAYOFF ROSTER GUIDELINES

The maximum number of players allowed on a playoff roster is 23. Playoff rosters will consist of a 20-man active roster and those players who are on injured reserve or recalled.

For professional players who have played for any professional team in 2008-09 and former professional players to be named to a team's playoff roster, they must have played (i.e. taken at least one shift) in five regular season ECHL games. Amateur players who have completed a full season of college or junior hockey during the 2008-09 season can be named to a team's playoff roster after their college or junior team has finished their season, including the playoffs.

Players on two-way contracts with American Hockey League teams must have played (i.e. taken at least one shift) in five regular season AHL games in order to be named to a team's playoff roster Veteran players on two-way contracts with AHL teams must have played (i.e. taken at least one shift) in 10 regular season AHL games.

Players on two-way AHL contracts who are bought out or released from their contract during the season are still subject to the minimum playing requirement. Players on NHL contracts and one-way AHL contracts are exempt from the rule as are goaltenders. Each team is allowed two non-veteran players who are on two-way contracts with AHL teams that are exempt from the rule.

Players who finish the regular season on injured reserve are eligible to play in the playoffs once their full injured reserve time has been completed. Players may be activated and placed on the team's 20-man active roster with all roster guidelines (salary cap, veteran limits, etc.) in effect.

Players injured in the playoffs may be placed on injured reserve and replaced on the active roster with either a player whose injured reserve time has been fully served or a player who is returning from a recall. Players on injured reserve must remain with the member club unless otherwise approved by the League Office.

Players who are on recall to the NHL or the AHL at the playoff roster deadline that a team wishes to have eligible to play must be named to the 23-man playoff roster. If a player is recalled off a team's active roster during the playoffs, he may be moved to inactive status or replaced with a player whose injured reserve time has been completed or by a player returning from a recall.

Additional playoff roster guideline information can be found by visiting ECHL.com.

The Thunder opens the Kelly Cup Playoffs in Game 1 of the Pacific Division Semifinals against the Ontario Reign at Citizens Business Bank Arena, beginning Friday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m.

The proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons, the Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season tickets for 2009-10 and Kelly Cup Playoff ticket packages 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/.

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