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All-Star Bennefield, Thunder Agree to Terms

August 2, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons, has agreed to terms with free-agent right wing Jesse Bennefield, Thunder head coach Chris Cichocki announced today. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"Acquiring a proven, top-six forward in Jesse is certainly an exciting addition for our club with the wide range of skills he brings," said Cichocki. "He has an ability to provide offense in clutch situations as a go-to scorer and adds a sizeable amount of feistiness and speed that a lot of teams covet."

Bennefield, who turned 26 on July 31, returns to the ECHL after a one-year stint with the Colonial Cup champion Rockford IceHogs of the United Hockey League, scoring 44 points (22g-22a) in 52 games with 107 penalty minutes in 2006-07, ranking third on the IceHogs with 22 goals. The Calgary, Alberta native scored a goal with an assist in nine Colonial Cup playoff games and spent six combined games with the Milwaukee Admirals and Iowa Stars of the AHL, tallying two assists.

The 6-foot, 195-pound forward was named to the National Conference roster as a rookie at the 2006 ECHL All-Star Game, tallying an assist. Bennefield spent his 2005-06 rookie campaign with the San Diego Gulls of the ECHL, leading the Gulls with 30 goals and ranking second on the team with 60 points (30g-30a) in 63 games, additionally tallying 118 penalty minutes while scoring a goal in four Kelly Cup Playoff games.

"Playing against Stockton two seasons ago, the arena and its facilities made a great impression on my visits which makes it thrilling to join a great organization with a terrific fan base," said Bennefield. "It's exciting to join a team with an NHL affiliation that presents a great opportunity to move up to the next level. The ECHL is where I want to be - I like the play and excitement of the league and I want to help this team get back to the Kelly Cup Playoffs and see how we go from there."

Bennefield split three years of his college hockey career (2002-05) between Mount Royal College and South Alberta Institute of Technology (ACAC), scoring 99 points (49g-50a) in 64 career games. Bennefield was a First Team All-ACAC selection with Mount Royal in 2004-05, scoring a conference-leading 46 points (29g-17a) in 23 games along with 144 penalty minutes.

Bennefield joins right wing Brandon Schwartz and returning defenseman Beau Geisler on the Thunder roster with previous ECHL All-Star Game experience.

ABOUT THE ECHL

Opening Day for the 20th Anniversary Season will be Oct. 18 when the Johnstown Chiefs host the Wheeling Nailers at Cambria County War Memorial in a rematch of Game 7 from the first-ever ECHL Finals.

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary as the Premier 'AA' Hockey League in 2007-08, the ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in three states and has grown to be a coast-to-coast league that will have 25 teams in 17 states and British Columbia in 2007-08. The 25 teams includes the Mississippi (Biloxi) Sea Wolves, who return after missing two seasons in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and the expansion Elmira (N.Y.) Jackals. The ECHL will play 900 games beginning Oct. 18 and concluding Apr. 5.

Details on Thunder 2007 training camp information will be announced soon. The Thunder begins the 2007-08 ECHL season Friday, October 19 on the road against the Bakersfield Condors at 7:00 p.m. PT, and faces the Alaska Aces on Saturday, October 27 at 7:30 p.m. PT in the home opener at Stockton Arena.

Host of the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game, the Thunder has led the ECHL in attendance for two consecutive seasons and drew 244,085 fans to Stockton Arena in 2006-07. Season tickets for 2007-08 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.

Jesse Bennefield

Right wing

Born Jul 31 1981 -- Calgary, ALTA

Height 6.00 -- Weight 195

--- Regular Season --- ---- Playoffs ----

Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2002-03 South Alberta Institute ACAC 14 12 15 27 28

2003-04 Mount Royal College ACAC 27 8 18 26 79

2004-05 Mount Royal College ACAC 23 29 17 46 144

2005-06 San Diego Gulls ECHL 63 30 30 60 118 4 1 0 1 6

2006-07 Rockford IceHogs UHL 52 22 22 44 107 9 1 1 2 6

2006-07 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 2 0 1 1 0 -- -- -- -- --

2006-07 Iowa Stars AHL 4 0 1 1 4 -- -- -- -- --



ECHL Stories from August 2, 2007


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