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Bina, Hrabal, Huxley and MacMurchy Assigned From Springfield

October 14, 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, announced today that rookie defensemen Robbie Bina (BEE-na) and Josef Hrabal (YO-sef RAW-bul), left wing Adam Huxley (HUCKS-lee) and right wing Ryan MacMurchy (mick-MURR-chee) have been assigned to the Thunder from Springfield.

Bina, 25, signed an AHL contract with Springfield on Jul. 23, 2008 and spent four years (2003-05, 2006-08) of his college hockey career with the national power University of North Dakota (NCAA), skating in 149 career games while scoring 74 points (13g-61a) and amassing 102 penalty minutes.

The 5-foot-8, 180-pound defenseman helped guide the Fighting Sioux to three appearances in the NCAA "Frozen Four" and an appearance in the National Championship game in 2005. Bina missed the 2005-06 season due to injury and rebounded to post career-highs in points (32) and goals (10) in 43 games as a 2006-07 junior.

Bina's exploits that season were recognized as the top highlight on ESPN SportsCenter's "Top Ten" segment, when he scored a goal from 170 feet away in a 7-3 upset win over #1 ranked University of Minnesota on Jan. 27.

Hrabal, 23, was selected by the Oilers in the eighth round (248th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft and spent the last six seasons with Severstal Cherepovets of the Russian Superliga and in the Czech Republic's Tipsport Extraliga with HC Vsetin, skating in 173 career games while scoring 44 points (12g-22a) and amassing 175 penalty minutes.

The 6-foot-1 180 pound native from Prerov, Czech Republic spent the 2007-08 season with Cherepovets where he scored 13 points (3g-10a) and added a single-season high 73 penalty minutes in 56 games.

"Robbie is a smooth, playmaking defenseman who we're expecting to further strengthen the depth of our blueline; he comes from a great program at North Dakota and his skill should help make great contributions to our team right away," said Thunder head coach Chris Cichocki. "Josef is another offensive-minded defenseman we're proud to add to our depth. We look forward to helping continue his development in his first year of playing in the North American style of game."

Huxley, 24, originally signed with the Thunder as a free agent September 18, 2006 and earned an AHL contract after participating in Oilers 2007 training camp as a free-agent invitee. Huxley has appeared in two career NHL preseason games and made his AHL debut with Springfield on Oct. 12 against the Providence Bruins.

The 6-foot, 200-pound left wing is third on the Thunder all-time list with 122 games played in two seasons (2006-08) and is the team's career leader with 441 penalty minutes, additionally scoring 22 points (5g-17a). The Wainwright, Alberta native has appeared in 222 career ECHL games in five seasons (2003-08) with the Thunder, Alaska Aces, Las Vegas Wranglers and Victoria Salmon Kings, posting 896 penalty minutes while scoring 44 points (15g-29a).

Huxley ranked fourth in the ECHL, set a career-high and a Las Vegas record with 294 penalty minutes in his first full professional season in 2004-05, also scoring 15 points (7g-8a) in 55 games.

"Adam had a solid performance in Edmonton's training camp," said Cichocki. "His hard work on the ice and toughness have always made him a fan favorite and we're expecting him to bring those same intangibles to our lineup this year."

MacMurchy, 25, signed an AHL/ECHL "two-way" contract with Springfield and was an invite to Oilers 2008-09 training camp after producing point-per-game numbers with the Thunder last season, scoring 45 points (23g-22g) in 45 games, additionally posting 67 penalty minutes and a team-leading 23 goals.

The 6-foot-2, 207-pound forward was originally acquired by the Thunder from the Elmira Jackals on Oct. 23, 2007 in exchange for future considerations (Luke Fulghum) and represented the host Thunder in the ECHL All-Star Game last season, tallying an assist. MacMurchy has skated in 87 career games in two seasons (2006-08) with Stockton and Alaska of the ECHL and Peoria of the AHL, scoring 60 points (31g-29a) and amassing 139 penalty minutes.

Originally a ninth round selection (284th overall) of the St. Louis Blues in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, MacMurchy helped guide Alaska to the National Conference Finals of the 2007 Kelly Cup Playoffs, scoring five points (4g-1a) with 63 penalty minutes in 15 playoff games.

The Regina, Saskatchewan native spent four years (2002-06) of his college hockey career at the University of Wisconsin (NCAA), scoring 110 points (44g-66a) with 342 penalty minutes in 162 career games with the Badgers. MacMurchy netted a career-high 33 points (11g-22a) with 88 penalty minutes as a 2004-05 junior and helped guide Wisconsin to the program's fifth all-time national championship as a 2005-06 senior.

"We're very proud of Ryan's accomplishment by earning a contract within the Oilers system," said Cichocki. "His hard work, combined with a valuable affiliation we have in the Oilers sets an example of the achievements that players can reach by furthering their career in Stockton. Ryan was one of our most dynamic offensive players last year and we're expecting him to provide the same offensive qualities this season."

The Thunder opens the 2008-09 regular season at Stockton Arena on Saturday, Oct. 18 against the Fresno Falcons at 7:30 p.m. for "Opening Night," presented by Coors Light, Food 4 Less, Chase Chevrolet of Stockton, Jackson Rancheria and KAT Country 103 with an additional schedule magnet giveaway slated for the game, courtesy of Valley Brew to the first 1,000 fans in attendance.

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for three consecutive seasons and drew 239,337 fans to Stockton Arena in 2007-08. Season tickets, group tickets, individual tickets and mini plans 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.



ECHL Stories from October 14, 2008


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