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Benton Receives ECHL Media Relations Award

June 26, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


LAS VEGAS - The Stockton Thunder, the proud ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League and Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League, announced that Thunder director of broadcasting and media relations Mike Benton has been named recipient of the 2009 ECHL Media Relations Award of Excellence at the recent league-wide meetings in Las Vegas.

"Mike's work ethic and dedication are second-to-none and the Thunder organization is proud of his well-deserved honor," said Thunder president Dan Chapman. "He pours as much energy and enthusiasm into strengthening the exposure of our organization off the air as much as he does in delivering an enjoyable play-by-play experience on the air."

Benton was selected for the award in voting by the league media relations directors, broadcasters and members of the media.

The 28-year old will begin his fifth season in the Thunder broadcasting and media relations department in 2009-10 and has been with the Thunder since the organization's inception in 2005-06. In addition to his duties as radio play-by-play announcer and main administrative broadcast contact, Benton handles day-to-day media activities of the organization, serves as a liaison for all media inquiries and assists the front office in website, publication and corporate sales duties.

The native of Azusa, Calif. has called all but one game in Thunder history on radio and has served as a broadcast voice for national radio coverage of two ECHL All-Star Games (2007, 2008).

Benton graduated in 2004 from Azusa Pacific University (Calif.) with a B.A. degree in Communication Studies. While enrolled in school, he covered a myriad of sports and events which included television play-by-play duties for the school's basketball broadcasts, football play-by-play duties on APU's campus radio station and serving as a correspondent on ESPN2's Los Angeles-area local "Valley Sports2" magazine show.

Mike, who started in the field with internship roles for the Los Angeles Kings and Fox Sports television, also serves as radio play-by-play announcer for the arenafootball2 league's Stockton Lightning and has contributed as a "SportsCenter" anchor and co-host for programming on AM 970 ESPN Radio.

ECHL Media Relations Award Winners

2008-09 - Mike Benton, Stockton Thunder

2007-08 - John Hamel, Cincinnati Cyclones (American Conference)/ Jeff Harris and Mike Walker, Victoria Salmon Kings (National Conference)

2006-07 - Dustin Bixby, Gwinnett Gladiators (American Conference)/ Josh Fisher, Las Vegas Wranglers (National Conference)

2005-06 - Jeremy Zager, San Diego Gulls

2004-05 - Jeremy Zager, San Diego Gulls

2003-04 - Mike Kelly, Mississippi Sea Wolves

2002-03 - Ryan Stanzel, Louisiana IceGators

2001-02 - Bill McLaughlin, Greenville Grrrowl

2000-01 - Darren Abbott, South Carolina Stingrays

1999-2000 - Darren Abbott, South Carolina Stingrays

1998-99 - Mark Simpson, Charlotte Checkers

1997-98 - Andy Davis, Richmond Renegades

1996-97 - Peter Kostos, Louisiana IceGators

The Thunder return 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 June 26, 2009


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