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Broadcast Information Announced For 2006-07

October 17, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder is scheduled to webcast its regular season and Kelly Cup Playoff games through B2 Networks for the second consecutive season and has partnered with Valley Brew Family Restaurant for an official "Thunder Viewing Party" throughout the 2006-07 season, Thunder team president Dan Chapman announced today.

"We're looking forward to again providing our fans with broadcast coverage of Thunder hockey on the B2 Networks," said Chapman. "We're also delighted that Valley Brew has agreed to carry the video broadcasts of our games so Thunder fans can get together and root our team on to victory while on the road."

B2 NETWORKS ONLINE BROADCASTS BACK FOR SECOND SEASON

The Thunder partners with B2 Networks for the second consecutive season to offer all 72 Thunder regular season home and away games and Kelly Cup Playoff games to be webcast via an audio link available through the Thunder's website, www.stocktonthunder.com, free-of-charge.

A live, streaming video simulcast of each home game and select road games will also be available through the Thunder's website, on a $6.00 per game Pay-Per-View basis. A high-speed internet connection and Windows Media Player, version 9 or higher, are required to view the Thunder webcasts.

"Whenever you have leaders like Michael Reinsdorf and Dan Chapman running an organization, you know it is going to be a great success," said Greg P. Bell, B2 Networks Owner and CEO. "For B2 Networks to partner with the Thunder means a lot to this company, we look forward to a great future together broadcasting many great games from the Stockton Arena."

B2 Networks is a premier provider of reliable and secure international television and video broadcasting systems, Pay-Per-View and billing systems, in addition to managing and distributing the digital distribution rights to distinct areas of entertainment, sports and television. In addition to 21 ECHL teams, B2's clients also include the United Hockey League, American Hockey League, USHL, and professional baseball's Northern League.

PLAY-BY-PLAY BROADCASTER MIKE BENTON RETURNS

Mike Benton brings his passionate and detailed style back to the airwaves for his second season as Broadcaster for the Thunder, providing play-by-play commentary on all Thunder home, away, and Kelly Cup Playoff webcasts via B2 Networks. Benton, who also serves an identical role for Stockton Lightning of the arenafootball2 league, has been with the Thunder since the team's inception and is a 2004 graduate of Azusa Pacific University (Calif.) with a B.A. degree in Communication Studies.

During the week, Benton also serves a radio co-host role on AM-970 ESPN Radio's "Mike and The Mouth," airing Monday through Friday from 4-7:00 p.m. (subject to pre-empting due to live sports programming) and featuring frequent interviews from Thunder players and Head Coach Chris Cichocki.

VALLEY BREW, THUNDER PARTNER FOR OFFICIAL VIEWING PARTIES

The Thunder and Valley Brew Family Restaurant partner to show 31 games online, live through B2 Networks' "Bar and Pub Network," giving Thunder fans a centralized location to enjoy out-of-area games in a sports-passionate environment which will feature contests, trivia, complimentary food giveaways and select player autograph signings .

"Valley Brew is excited to return as a proud sponsor of the Thunder and we're looking forward to many exciting nights in our first year of hosting the Stockton Thunder Viewing Parties," said Valley Brew Family Restaurant co-owner Kellie Jacobs. "We can't think of a better option for road games than for fans and families to gather in one spot and cheer on the Thunder, win prizes, and enjoy our acclaimed Valley Brew beer and house food."

Located at 157 W. Adams Street in Stockton, Valley Brew Family Restaurant is placed in the heart of Stockton's "Miracle Mile" district and features an array of acclaimed burgers, beverages, appetizers, specialties and more, offering customers free wi-fi internet access inside the restaurant.

COMCAST SJTV RETURNS AS TV HOME OF THE THUNDER

Four regular season games during the 2006-07 home campaign will be aired and replayed on Comcast SJTV channel 26, with Erik Alves and Derek Eisler handling commentary duties.

SJTV (San Joaquin Television) is cable Channel 26, a community service of your digital and high-speed Internet provider-Comcast. SJTV can be seen on the Comcast Lodi, Stockton, and Manteca systems. SJTV broadcasts Stockton Thunder and Lightning, Stockton Ports, Pacific athletics, California Cougars and High School football games, as well as "Sportstalk," a weekly interview show highlighting local athletes and coaches.

* 1/19 vs. Fresno Falcons - 7:30 p.m. (Comcast SJTV)

* 2/2 vs. Bakersfield Condors - 7:30 p.m. (Comcast SJTV)

* 3/2 vs. Cincinnati Cyclones - 7:30 p.m. (Comcast SJTV)

* 3/30 vs. Phoenix RoadRunners - 7:30 p.m. (Comcast SJTV)

Stockton went 3-0-0 in the pre-season and opens its 2006-07 season on Friday, October 20 against the Bakersfield Condors, at Rabobank Arena beginning at 7:00 p.m. The 2006-07 Thunder home campaign opens with a Saturday, October 28 game against the Long Beach Ice Dogs, beginning 7:30 p.m. at Stockton Arena. Both games can be heard live on the internet (free-of-charge) and are available for viewing at a $6 "pay-per-view" rate at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks. An ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers, the Thunder drew 228,364 fans to Stockton Arena in its inaugural season, the ECHL's best attendance mark for 2005-06. Thunder season tickets, mini-plans, and individual tickets for the 2006-07 season 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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