Sports stats



13 Players With Thunder Experience in Oilers Camp

September 15, 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, announced 13 players with Thunder playing experience have reported to NHL training camp with the Oilers at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta.

Below is the alphabetical list of players who have skated in a Thunder uniform, who began training camp with the Oilers:

James Bates (RW)

Jordan Bendfeld (D)

Devan Dubnyk (G)

Bryan Lerg (C)

Ryan MacMurchy (RW)

Colin McDonald (RW)

Ryan O'Marra (C)

Geoff Paukovich (C)

Andrew Perugini (G)

Bryan Pitton (G)

Liam Reddox (LW)

Cody Wild (D)

Bryan Young (D)

Among the Stockton notables are two players (Reddox, Young) who have appeared in the National Hockey League with the Oilers, while three additional players (Dubnyk, O'Marra, MacMurchy) have represented the Thunder, or named to the National Conference team in the ECHL All-Star Game.

"We're very pleased with the amount of talent that has passed through Stockton on the way to training camp in Edmonton," said Thunder head coach Matt Thomas. "It's a testimony of how beneficial the Thunder and Oilers relationship has meant to both hockey clubs over the last three years. We're very satisfied how we can assist with developing future NHL talent and our track record of success makes us truly honored to be associated with first class people and an organization with the Edmonton Oilers."

Following the first three days of practice, the Oilers open their 2009 NHL preseason schedule with five games in six nights. The Oilers begin the preseason on the road tonight at 6:00 p.m., visiting the Calgary Flames at Pengrowth Saddledome. The Oilers will make their home preseason debut tomorrow against the New York Islanders, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Rexall Place.

Dubnyk is expected to start in net tonight while Paukovich will suit up for Edmonton.

Reddox, 23, was a fourth round (112th overall) selection of the Oilers in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and skated in 70 games with the Thunder in 2006-07, notching 26 points (8g-18a) and 49 penalty minutes while adding three points (2g-1a) in six Kelly Cup Playoff games. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound forward went onto make his NHL debut with the Oilers on Dec. 7, 2007 against the St. Louis Blues and skated in 46 games for Edmonton last season, scoring 12 points (5g-7a) while collecting 10 penalty minutes.

Young, 23, completed his ascension from the ECHL to the NHL in 2006-07, skating in 17 games with the Thunder while adding four assists before making his NHL debut with the Oilers on Mar. 9, 2007 against the Anaheim Ducks. Young has appeared in 17 career games with the Oilers, posting 10 penalty minutes and skated in 63 games last year for Springfield, registering 10 points (3g-7a) and 64 penalty minutes.

Dubnyk, 23, represented the Thunder in the 2007 ECHL All-Star Game and set Thunder single-season records for wins (24), minutes played (2,529), lowest goals-against-average (2.56) and save percentage (.921) in 2006-07. The 6-foot-6, 194-pound goaltender was selected in the first round (14th overall) by the Oilers in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and appeared in 62 games last year for Springfield, tallying a .910 save percentage, 2.97 goals-against-average and an 18-41-2 record.

O'Marra, 22, scored 20 points (11g-9a) in 24 games with the Thunder as a rookie in 2007-08, adding nine points (2g-7a) in just six Kelly Cup Playoff games. The 6-foot-2, 193-pound center was selected in the first round (15th overall) by the New York Islanders in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft and acquired by the Oilers, along with right wing Robert Nilsson and a first round pick in the NHL Entry Draft, from the New York in exchange for left wing Ryan Smyth on Feb. 27, 2007. Last season, O'Marra additionally scored 10 points (1g-9a) in 62 games for Springfield, amassing 49 penalty minutes.

MacMurchy, 26, is currently under contract to Springfield and is making his second straight appearance in Oilers training camp. He ranks fourth on the Thunder all-time scoring list with 71 points (32g-39a) in 78 games, additionally posting 127 penalty minutes and a +16 rating. The 6-foot-2, 207-pound forward represented the host Thunder in the ECHL All-Star Game in 2007-08 at Stockton Arena, scoring an assist. Last season, he scored 26 points (9g-17a) in 33 games for the Thunder.

Complete details on Oilers training camp can be found at www.edmontonoilers.com.

The Thunder returns to the ice for preseason play on Thursday, Oct. 8 against the Bakersfield Condors, starting at 7:00 p.m. at Stockton Arena. The 2009-10 season, the fifth-year anniversary for the team, launches on Friday, Oct. 16 at Qwest Arena against the Idaho Steelheads at 6:10 p.m. and the Thunder home opener is Friday, Oct. 23 against the Ontario Reign at 7:30 p.m. at Stockton Arena.

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 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/.



ECHL Stories from September 15, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central