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1420 KSTN Returns As Radio Flagship

September 22, 2008 - 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 renewed a working agreement with 1420-AM KSTN as the official radio flagship partner of the Thunder. Additionally, all online games will air via B2 Networks with Comcast SJTV serving as the official telecast partner of the Thunder in 2008-09.

"As the hockey season draws near we are excited to present a number of avenues for fans to follow the Thunder," said Marlena Aranda, Thunder director of marketing. "1420 KSTN is a valued broadcast partner which made us extremely pleased bring Thunder hockey back to our fans on radio this season. Equally, we're also excited about our offerings on the internet and television via B2 Networks and Comcast SJTV as both have been loyal and dependable partners in bringing Thunder hockey to fans."

1420-AM KSTN RETURNS AS "RADIO HOME OF THE THUNDER"

The Thunder and 1420-AM KSTN radio continue a partnership to broadcast up to 61 regular season games (select games joined in progress) and additional Kelly Cup Playoff games for the 2008-09 season, with Mike Benton returning for his fourth season as play-by-play announcer, joined by color commentator Derek Eisler and select guest commentators. Broadcasts aired in their entirety will begin 15 minutes prior to the opening face-off with the "Thunder Forecast" pre-game show. 1420-AM KSTN serves as the radio play-by-play home to the Thunder, Stockton Lightning of the arenafootball2 league, Stockton Cougars indoor soccer, Oakland Athletics baseball and Pacific athletics.

Benton, 27, has served as a broadcast voice for national radio coverage of two ECHL All-Star Games (2007, 2008) and has been the Thunder's play-by-play voice since the team's inception, graduating from Azusa Pacific University (Calif.) in 2004 with a B.A. degree in Communication Studies. Eisler, who will join the Thunder in the broadcast booth during the middle of the season following his coaching duties with the China Sharks of the Asian League, helped guide the NHL's San Jose Sharks to their first two Stanley Cup Playoff berths in 1994 and 1995, serving as an assistant coach on Kevin Constantine's staff.

"Thunder hockey has been a great addition to our roster of sports programming," said 1420-AM KSTN general manager Robert LaRue. "As a Stockton based station, 1420 KSTN is pleased to see the continued success of local sports and provide the team and its fans a radio home for the Thunder."

B2 NETWORKS RETURNS WEBCASTS, AIRING "THUNDER WATCH PARTIES" AT VALLEY BREW

The Thunder and Valley Brew Family Restaurant are partnering again this season for "Thunder Watch Party" nights during all Thunder road games. Games will be shown live through B2 Networks' "Bar and Pub Network" feeds. Fans attending will have an opportunity to win prizes and enjoy the festivities while cheering on their favorite team.

Located at 157 W. Adams Street in Stockton, Valley Brew Family Restaurant is placed in the heart of Stockton's "Miracle Mile" district and features an array of acclaimed burgers, beverages, appetizers, specialties and more, offering customers free wi-fi internet access inside the restaurant. "Don't buy beer from strangers - drink Valley Brew and support your local brewpub. All Valley Brew beer is brewed in Stockton."

The Thunder also partners with B2 Networks for the fourth consecutive season to offer a webcast via an audio link for all 72 Thunder regular season home and away games and Kelly Cup Playoff games. This feature will be available through the Thunder's website, www.stocktonthunder.com, free-of-charge.

A live, streaming video simulcast of each home game and select road games will also be available through the Thunder's website, on a Pay-Per-View basis for $7.00 per game. A high-speed internet connection and Windows Media Player, version 11 or higher, are required to view the Thunder webcasts.

B2 Networks is a premier provider of reliable and secure international television and pay-per-view broadcasting systems. B2's worldwide network of arenas, stadiums, local venues and data centers are currently in use to distribute live sports and events to personal computers, television screens, mobile devices and commercial venues around the world. Working with organizations such as the ECHL, National Lacrosse League, the International Hockey League, the United States Hockey League, the North American Hockey League, Arena Football Leagues and selected NCAA and NAIA conferences and member institutions, B2 Networks has established itself as a leader in innovative global direct to home, mobile and television broadcasting. For the B2 Networks' Programming Guide visit B2TV.com or for information about B2 Networks, visit B2Now.com.

COMCAST SJTV RETURNS AS TV HOME OF THE THUNDER

Select telecasts of Thunder regular season and Kelly Cup Playoff games during the 2008-09 schedule will be aired and replayed on Comcast SJTV channel 26, with Erik Alves and Derek Eisler handling commentary duties.

SJTV (San Joaquin Television) is cable Channel 26, a community service of your digital and high-speed Internet provider-Comcast. SJTV can be seen on the Comcast Lodi, Stockton, and Manteca systems. SJTV broadcasts Stockton Thunder and Lightning, Stockton Ports, Pacific athletics, California Cougars and High School football games, as well as "Sportstalk," a weekly interview show highlighting local athletes and coaches.

The Thunder opens the 2008-09 preseason schedule on Thursday, Oct. 9 at home against the Fresno Falcons, starting at 7:00 p.m. from Stockton Arena. Stockton and Fresno will meet 10 times during the 2008-09 regular season, beginning with "Opening Night" on Saturday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m. from Stockton Arena.

Thunder Season Ticket Holders enjoy the best seating locations in Stockton Arena, preferred parking options, admission to Season Ticket Holder-only events, discount opportunities on Thunder merchandise, subscription to the Thunder e-newsletter, admission to the first two rounds of the Kelly Cup Playoffs and more.

The Thunder has led the ECHL in attendance for three consecutive seasons and drew 239,337 fans to Stockton Arena in 2007-08. Season tickets for 2008-09 are now on sale and begin at just $335. A deposit of just $50 reserves your seat for the 2008-09 season! For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.stocktonthunder.com.



ECHL Stories from September 22, 2008


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