All-Star Kenny MacAulay, Jesse Dudas Agree to Terms

Published on September 30, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, the proud ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League and Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League, has agreed to contract terms with two-time ECHL All-Star defenseman Kenny MacAulay (Mick-ALL-ee) and rookie free agent defenseman Jesse Dudas (DOO-dihs), Thunder head coach Matt Thomas announced today. Per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

MacAulay and Dudas increase the Thunder preseason roster to 23 players (13 forwards, 10 defensemen), who open 2009-10 Training Camp on Saturday, Oct. 3 at Stockton Arena. MacAulay is the ninth returning player from last year's team that advanced to the seventh game of the second round (Pacific Division Final) of the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

"Kenny is an instant impact player who, right away, makes our team even better," said Thomas. "His offensive and defensive skills, work ethic and attitude are critical elements in what make him a great leader. Considering how much AHL experience he has, his presence here is a bonus for our young players. He carries himself with a veteran demeanor, shows up to the rink early, is always in the weight room and you never have to ask him to work harder."

Said Thomas of Dudas, "Jesse is a well-rounded defenseman who put together an impressive effort at Oilers rookie camp. He has many qualities that are hard to find at our level with his big frame, strength, right hand shot from the point and ability to distribute the puck which bolsters our power play. The sky is the limit for his development. As he continues to learn the nuances of the pro game, he puts himself in position to give us great results and advance his career."

MacAulay, 25, suited up for the National Conference at the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game in Stockton and earned his second straight selection in 2009 but did not play in the game due to an AHL recall to the Portland Pirates on Jan. 20. The 5-foot-10, 195-pound blueliner ranked tied for eighth among ECHL defensemen with 23 points (3g-20a) in 38 ECHL games at the time of his recall, additionally posting 74 penalty minutes which were numbers that stood at the end of the regular season.

The Baddeck, Nova Scotia native suited up in 35 games for Portland, scoring nine points (1g-8a) and posting 31 penalty minutes while adding one assist in five Calder Cup Playoff games. MacAulay returned to dress in six Kelly Cup Playoff games for the Thunder, collecting a goal and an assist.

In 134 career professional games with Stockton and Fresno of the ECHL and Rockford and Portland of the AHL, MacAulay has scored 54 points (8g-46a) and posted 208 penalty minutes while adding six points (2g-4a) in 17 career postseason games at the ECHL and AHL levels.

MacAulay was originally signed by the Thunder as a free agent on Dec. 30, 2008.

"The chance to continue developing my game in Stockton is a very exciting one," said MacAulay. "The building is nearly full every night and the energy from our fans gives you an extra boost on the ice. I'm looking forward to returning to a team that should be very competitive and ready to take the next step after making a good run in the playoffs last year."

Dudas, 21, was originally selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the sixth round (159th overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and spent the preseason as an invitee to NHL training camp with the Oilers and in AHL training camp with Springfield.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound defenseman split six years (2003-09) of his junior career in the Western Hockey League with Lethbridge, Prince George, Swift Current and Regina by scoring 93 points (11g-82a) from the blueline and amassing 238 penalty minutes.

Dudas achieved a career-high 35 points (5g-30a) in 52 combined games with Prince George and Swift Current in 2007-08 and last year had 14 points (3g-11a) in just 19 games with Regina, along with 26 penalty minutes.

The St. Albert, Alberta native made his pro debut on an ECHL Amateur Tryout Contract (ATO) with the Charlotte Checkers last season, skating in five games with 10 penalty minutes.

"I've heard about many good things as to what is ahead in Stockton," said Dudas. "There are friends I've made in Oilers training camp like Bryan Pitton, James Bates and Jordan Bendfeld and in junior with Judd Blackwater, and you always hear about how hard the team works and how much of a winner that Coach Thomas is putting together. It's a very exciting environment that I look forward to being a part of."

MacAulay and Dudas will be a part of the team that hosts "FanFest" on Sunday, Oct. 11 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Stockton Arena, where admission is free to the public.

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/.

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