All-Star Bound: Micflikier, O'Marra, Farynuk

Published on December 21, 2007 under 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 announced in conjunction with the ECHL that rookie left wing Jacob Micflikier (mick-FLICK-er), rookie center Ryan O'Marra and defenseman Brad Farynuk (FAR-nick) have been named to the National Conference roster for the 2008 Chase Chevrolet ECHL All-Star Game presented by Jackson Rancheria and Bud Light at Stockton Arena.

OILERS PROSPECT RYAN O'MARRA ADDS TO HIS RESUME

O'Marra, 20, is scheduled to make his first All-Star Game appearance in his professional career, scoring 18 points (11g-7a) in 22 games with Stockton, leading the Thunder with 11 goals and ranking tied for second among ECHL rookies with seven power-play goals.

The Mississauga, Ontario natve was originally selected in the first round (15th overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Islanders and was obtained by the Oilers, along with right wing Robert Nilsson and a first round NHL draft pick, in exchange for veteran right wing Ryan Smyth on February 27, 2007.

The 6-foot-1, 193-pound center spent time with the Oilers in 2007-08 training camp and appeared in two preseason games, with Edmonton tallying a 2-0-0 record with O'Marra in the lineup. O'Marra has appeared in 11 career games at the AHL level with Springfield and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, scoring five points (4g-1a) with six penalty minutes. O'Marra also appeared in three Calder Cup Playoff games with Bridgeport in 2005-06, tallying an assist.

Additionally, O'Marra helped guide Team Canada to a gold medal at the 2004 Junior World Cup (Under-18), serving as an assistant captain. The Tokyo, Japan native made hockey history as the first Japanese-born Canadian player selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft and is the second player previously selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft to dot the Thunder roster in as many years, joined by goaltender Devan Dubnyk in 2006-07 (Oilers first round selection, 14th overall, 2004).

JACOB MICFLIKIER LEADS THE WAY TO NATIONAL RECOGNITION

Micflikier, 23, has earned his first All-Star selection as a rookie, leading the Thunder and ranking second among active ECHL rookies in scoring with 30 points (8g-22a) in 25 games, along with a +3 rating. Micflikier also leads all ECHL rookies with 22 assists.

The 5-foot-8, 180-pound left wing spent time in 2007-08 NHL training camp with the Oilers and appeared in nine games last year in the AHL with Springfield, scoring four points (3g-1a). The 5-foot-8, 180-pound center nearly averaged one point-per-game in his four-year (2003-07) college career with national-power University of New Hampshire (NCAA), scoring 150 points (58g-92a) in 154 career games with the Wildcats and tallying 157 penalty minutes.

The Winnipeg, Manitoba native helped guide New Hampshire to four consecutive appearances in the NCAA Frozen Four national championship tournament and was the fifth leading active scorer in the entire NCAA heading into 2006-07 postseason play. Micflikier had a career-high 44 points (20g-24a) in 42 games as a 2004-05 sophomore, ranking third on the Wildcats in scoring and led the program with 42 points (16g-26a) in 37 games as a 2005-06 junior, earning the team's Most Valuable Player award.

BRAD FARYNUK GARNERS FIRST ALL-STAR SELECTION

Farynuk, 25, earns his first career All-Star selection in his second year as a pro, leading all Thunder defensemen with 11 points (2g-9a) in 22 games, tallying a +3 rating with 28 penalty minutes. Serving as Thunder captain, Farynuk has also appeared in 17 career AHL games with Springfield and the Syracuse Crunch, tallying one assist. The Enderby, British Columbia native split his rookie season last year with the Dayton Bombers (ECHL) and Syracuse, scoring 23 points (4g-19a) with 54 penalty minutes in 47 games with Dayton.

The 6-foot, 210-pound defenseman helped guide Dayton to a berth in the Kelly Cup Finals and the American Conference's North Division title (37-26-9 record, 83 points) last season, tying for the ECHL lead in scoring among defenseman for the Kelly Cup Playoffs with 16 points (4g-12a) in 22 games. Farynuk ended the ninth longest game in ECHL history (101:23) in game one of last year's American Conference Final, scoring the Bombers' game-winning goal at the 1:23 mark of triple-overtime in a 4-3 Dayton win over the Florida Everblades.

THUNDER SHUFFLES ROSTER BEFORE WEEKEND SET

Getting set for Friday's game against the Bakersfield Condors, the Thunder activated defenseman Tim O'Connell and right wing Ryan MacMurchy off the injured reserve list, placed defenseman Ryan Geris on the three-day injured reserve list and placed left wing Pat Bateman on the seven-day injured reserve list.

2008 CHASE CHEVROLET ECHL ALL-STAR GAME

Hosted by the Stockton Thunder and the City of Stockton at Stockton Arena, the 2008 Chase Chevrolet ECHL All-Star Game presented by Jackson Rancheria and Bud Light will be played on Jan. 23 with the 11th edition of the Chase Chevrolet ECHL All-Star Game Skills Competition being held on Jan. 22. The economic impact of the All-Star Game is projected to give the city of Stockton an estimated more than $1 million in revenue and will take place in the 9,737-seat Stockton Arena, adjacent to the new seven-story Sheraton Stockton Hotel at Regent Pointe. Stockton is the 13th largest city in California and the 69th largest city in the United States of America.

Tickets for the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game and ECHL All-Star Skills Competition start as low as $10 and are currently available by purchasing a 2007-08 Thunder season ticket or min-plan package by calling 209-373-1500. Individual tickets for the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game and All-Star Skills Competition will go on sale soon.

The starting lineups are determined in voting by National Conference coaches, team captains, media directors, broadcasters and media members. Coaches also submitted the top prospects from within their conference to determine the final roster with each of the nine teams having a representative.

There are 12 rookies on the National Conference and only four of the 21 players have ever been selected to an ECHL All-Star Game.

The Thunder returns to play on Friday with a 7:30 p.m. home game against the Bakersfield Condors at Stockton Arena. The game can be heard live on radio at 1420-AM KSTN and on the internet (video and audio available) at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks.

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, mini plans, group and individual 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.

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ECHL Stories from December 21, 2007


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