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Defenseman Constant Returns to Thunder Blueline

September 15, 2009 - 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 defenseman Ryan Constant (KAHN-stant), Thunder head coach Matt Thomas announced today. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Constant is the fourth returner from last year's team that finished 22-16-3 after Dec. 31 and advanced to the seventh game of the second round (Pacific Division Final) of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. He increases the Thunder roster total to 16 players (10 forwards and six defensemen).

"Ryan is the embodiment of a complete package for a defenseman in professional hockey," said Thomas. "He has a valuable skill package with tremendous skating ability, good on-ice vision and a mean streak that aids in his ability to play a tough, two-way style. We're looking for him to increase his offensive output and perform as a go-to guy in all areas of his game."

Constant, 24, returns for his second season in a Thunder uniform after skating in 47 games for the team last year, scoring nine points (5g-4a) and toppling a career-high in goals (5) while adding 71 penalty minutes. Signed to an AHL contract last year with Springfield, Constant collected two assists and eight penalty minutes in nine games for the Falcons.

Constant also appeared in all 14 Kelly Cup Playoff games for the Thunder last year and notched two assists.

The 5-foot-11, 200-pound blueliner has skated in 192 career professional games at the ECHL level with Stockton and the Charlotte Checkers and with the Falcons and Hartford WolfPack of the AHL, scoring 56 points (11g-45a) and posting 240 penalty minutes.

"The fans of Stockton were great play in front of last year which is an atmosphere I'm excited to return to this season," said Constant. "We play in a great building, I love the town and of course Coach Thomas coming back was a huge factor. He sold me on the opportunities, he's a good teacher and he knows how to get the best out of you as a player."

The native of Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Manitoba achieved career-highs in points (26) and assists (24) as a rookie in 2006-07 with Charlotte, drawing 76 PIM's. Constant played three years (2003-06) of his junior career with the Ontario Cree National Blizzard of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, drawing 482 penalty minutes and scoring 101 points (23g-78a) in 153 career games.

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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