First Rounder O'Marra, Winger MacMurchy Coming to Stockton

October 23, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons, announced rookie center Ryan O'Marra (Oh-MARE-ah) been assigned to the Thunder from Springfield and rookie right wing Ryan MacMurchy (mick-MURR-chee) has been acquired from the Elmira Jackals in exchange for future considerations.

O'Marra, 20, was originally selected in the first round (15th overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Islanders and was obtained by the Oilers, along with right wing Robert Nilsson and a first round NHL draft pick, in exchange for veteran right wing Ryan Smyth on February 27, 2007.

"Ryan O'Marra comes with all kinds of accolades; he's a player that can step into our lineup immediately and be an impact player," said Thunder head coach Chris Cichocki. "He has a good mix of skill and grit - he'll receive plenty of ice time to make progress in his professional career."

O'Marra is expected to be in the Thunder lineup tomorrow against the Phoenix RoadRunners, starting at 7:11 p.m. from U.S. Airways Center.

The 6-foot-1, 193-pound center spent time with the Oilers in 2007-08 training camp and appeared in two preseason games, with Edmonton tallying a 2-0-0 record with O'Marra in the lineup. O'Marra has appeared in 11 career games at the AHL level with Springfield and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, scoring five points (4g-1a) with six penalty minutes. O'Marra also appeared in three Calder Cup Playoff games with Bridgeport in 2005-06, tallying an assist.

O'Marra spent four seasons (2003-07) of his junior hockey career with the Erie Otters and Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League, nearly registering point-per-game career numbers with 223 points (94g-129a) in 234 games and tallying 301 penalty minutes. O'Marra scored a career-high 77 points (27g-50a) and led Erie with a career-high 50 assists in 2005-06, tallying a career-high 134 penalty minutes.

Additionally, O'Marra helped guide Team Canada to a gold medal at the 2004 Junior World Cup (Under-18), serving as an assistant captain. The Tokyo, Japan native made hockey history as the first Japanese-born Canadian player selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft and is the second player previously selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft to dot the Thunder roster in as many years, joined by goaltender Devan Dubnyk in 2006-07 (Oilers first round selection, 14th overall, 2004).

MacMURCHY ACQUIRED IN TRADE WITH ELMIRA

MacMurchy, 24, split his first season in professional hockey last year with the ECHL's Alaska Aces and the AHL's Peoria Rivermen, scoring 15 points (8g-7a) with 72 penalty minutes in 42 combined games. 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 last year's Kelly Cup Playoffs, scoring five points (4g-1a) with 63 penalty minutes in 15 playoff games.

The 6-foot-2, 207-pound right wing had two game-winning goals in the Kelly Cup Playoffs last year and scored 10 points (4g-6a) with 52 penalty minutes in just 18 regular season games with Alaska.

MacMurchy originally signed with Elmira as a free agent during the offseason and 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.

The Regina, Saskatchewan native 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.

The Thunder continues its season-opening four-game road trip tonight against the Las Vegas Wranglers beginning at 7:05 p.m. from Orleans Arena and faces the Alaska Aces on Saturday, October 27 at 7:30 p.m. PT in the home opener at Stockton Arena. Both games can be heard live on the Thunder's flagship radio station, 1420 KSTN and available for listening and viewing at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks.

Host of the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game and festivities on Jan. 22 and 23, the Thunder has led the ECHL in attendance for two consecutive seasons and drew 244,085 fans to Stockton Arena in 2006-07. Season tickets, mini plans, group and individual tickets for 2007-08 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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