Falcons Add Size to Roster with Brad Brown and Matt Stefanishion
October 11, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fresno Falcons News Release
FRESNO, CALIF. - The Fresno Falcons announced today that the team has agreed to terms with NHL-veteran defenseman Brad Brown and re-signed right wing Matt Stefanishion for the 2008-09 season.
The 32-year-old Brown was the 18th overall selection in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. He made his NHL debut with the Canadiens in 1996-97, and has also seen NHL time with Chicago, the New York Rangers, Minnesota, and Buffalo. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound defenseman has played in 330 games in the NHL scoring two goals and adding 27 assists, to go along with 747 penalty minutes. Brown saw time in the ECHL last season, tallying two goals and an assist in 26 games with the Florida Everblades, while also appearing in 10 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League. In 606 career professional games, Brown has scored 10 goals and chipped in 52 assists for 62 points, while accumulating 1,788 penalty minutes.
"Brad is a proven pro that will add instant toughness and experience to our line-up," Thomas said. "We are looking forward to having a player of his caliber play with the Fresno Falcons this season."
Stefanishion returns for his second season with the Falcons, and his third season as a pro. He was originally acquired by Fresno in a trade with the Reading Royals on November 27, 2007. The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder appeared in 54 games with the Falcons last season, scoring 19 goals and adding 18 assists for 37 points, while also accumulating a team-ECHL record 243 penalty minutes. Stefanishion had a combined 260 penalty minutes between the Falcons and Royals last season, which ranked third in the ECHL. The 25-year-old was voted as the team's Fan Favorite Player last season. He recently attended training camp with the NHL's Anaheim Ducks and the AHL's Iowa Chops, and scored a goal for Anaheim in an NHL pre-season contest against San Jose.
"Matt had a great training camp in the NHL, and proved to a lot of people that he can play at the next level," Falcons head coach and general manager Matt Thomas said. "We are excited to add him to the mix again this season, and look for him to continue his development."
The Falcons host the Stockton Thunder tonight at 7:00 p.m. at Gateway Ice Center in the pre-season finale for both teams. Falcons' season-ticket holders receive free admission to this game, while all other fans can purchase tickets at the door for $5 based on availability.
The Falcons open the 2008-09 season on the road, taking on the Stockton Thunder on Saturday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Opening Night 2008 at Selland Arena is set for Friday, October 24, when the Falcons host their arch-rivals, the Bakersfield Condors, at 7:35 p.m. Season Ticket packages start at just $432, and are now available by calling the Falcons at (559) 485-7825.
Began in 1988-89 with five teams playing in four states, the Premier 'AA' Hockey League has grown into a coast-to-coast league that will have 23 teams in 16 states and British Columbia playing 828 games from Oct. 17, 2008 to Apr. 4, 2009. Eighteen of the 23 teams have played at least five years in their current city.
The third-longest tenured professional hockey league behind only the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League, the ECHL averaged 4,174 per game last season, marking the fourth year in row and the 16th time in the last 18 years that the league has averaged over 4,000 fans. The league has drawn over four million fans each of the last five years and 11 times in the past 12 seasons.
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ECHL Stories from October 11, 2008
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- Rookie Parent's goal, two assists, Berry's two goals power Mississippi to victory - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Cyclones Drop Preseason Finale - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Bakersfield Condors vs. Las Vegas Wranglers (Preseason) game notes - Bakersfield Condors
- Falcons Add Size to Roster with Brad Brown and Matt Stefanishion - Fresno Falcons
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