Edmonton Recalls LW Philippe Cornet, C Ryan Martindale and RW Toni Rajala to Oklahoma City

January 7, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, proud ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League, announced the Oilers have recalled left wing Philippe Cornet (COR-nay, Phil-EEP), center Ryan Martindale and right wing Toni Rajala from the Thunder to the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League.

The three players are expected to be available to suit up for Oklahoma City in their next game on Friday, Jan. 11 at 5:00 p.m. against the Charlotte Checkers.

Cornet departs the Thunder with 23 points in 18 games this season, additionally totaling four power play goals (T-4 on the Thunder) and a +8 rating. He led Oklahoma City with 24 goals last season and totaled 37 points (24g-13a) in 67 games, helping guide the Barons to an appearance in the Western Conference Finals. During 2011-12, he was also named as a starter for the 2012 AHL All Star Classic and collected an assist in his NHL debut with Edmonton on Jan. 31 vs. Colorado.

The 6-foot and 196 pound forward earned an assist in two games with the Oilers last season and was selected by Edmonton in the fifth round (133rd overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Cornet has appeared in eight games with the Barons in 2012-13 and registered two penalty minutes.

Rajala heads back to the AHL as the Thunder's leading scorer with 38 points in 29 games while also leading the team with 18 goals and 11 power play assists. He was named to the ECHL All-Star Game roster on Jan. 3, joining Thunder defenseman Nathan Deck (currently skating with Oklahoma City).

Rajala has collected a goal and an assist in five games with the Barons this season.

He led Ilves Tampere in Finland with 16 goals and ranked second with 29 points in 51 games last season. He was selected by the Oilers in the fourth round (101st overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and has skated for Finland in the World Junior Championships, managing 10 points in 18 career games (under-20 team).

Rajala also suited up for Finland's under-18 team and scored 24 points (13g-11a) in 12 career games. He broke Alexander Ovechkin's scoring record and led the 2008-09 tournament with 19 points (10g-6a) in six games, earning the Best Forward and All-Star Team honors.

Martindale has picked up two goals in five ECHL games this season. He collected 15 points in 34 ECHL games last season with the Thunder and was selected in the third round (61st overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by Edmonton. The 6-foot-3 and 207 pound forward has collected five points in 23 career AHL games with the Barons.

The Thunder returns to play on Wednesday, visiting the Colorado Eagles at 6:05 p.m. (1280 AM KWSX/StocktonThudner.com).

A two time recipient of the ECHL "Award of Excellence," the Thunder led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew over 200,000 fans for the seventh consecutive season in 2011-12. Season Tickets, Group Tickets and Mini-Plans for 2012-13 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 January 7, 2013


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