Free Agent Jackson, Thunder Agree to Terms

Published on August 21, 2007 under 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, has agreed to terms with free agent center Todd Jackson, Thunder head coach Chris Cichocki announced today. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"Todd's speed, quickness, vision and great hockey sense will be invaluable to our offense and he'll be counted on to fill a huge role with the Thunder," said Cichocki. "He is a player who cares about winning and is committed to providing the leadership necessary for our club to succeed this year."

Jackson, 26, has scored 109 career points (44g-65a) with 118 penalty minutes in three seasons (2004-07) and 146 career ECHL games with the Phoenix RoadRunners and Toledo Storm, additionally scoring 12 points (4g-8a) in 21 career Kelly Cup Playoff games. The Cortland, N.Y. native netted career-highs in goals (19), assists (31) and points (50) while appearing in 55 games in 2005-06 with Toledo, additionally tallying nine points (3g-6a) in 13 Kelly Cup Playoff games while helping guide the North Division champion Storm (41-26-5 record, 97 points) to the American Conference Final.

Last season, the 5-foot-10, 180-pound forward helped guide Phoenix to its first Kelly Cup Playoff berth in club history, ranking third on the team in scoring with 34 points (13g-21a) while amassing 50 penalty minutes in 56 games. Jackson also netted three points (1g-2a) in four Kelly Cup Playoff games.

An eighth round selection (251st overall) by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, Jackson has also appeared in 35 career games at the AHL level with the Grand Rapids Griffins, tallying three assists with 12 penalty minutes. In four seasons (2000-04) at the collegiate level with the University of Maine (NCAA), Jackson scored 99 points (45g-54a) in 161 career games with the Black Bears, helping guide Maine to the 2004 NCAA Frozen Four National Championship game as a senior captain.

"One of the biggest selling points was the community's support for this program," said Jackson. "When I played here as an opposing player, I felt it had an incredible atmosphere that was rivaled by no other in the ECHL. So it was very exciting when Chris called me because of the atmosphere and his style of play. You play the game for a chance to win a championship and I think with the program Chris is building and the results it's had, it's on its way there."

Jackson led Maine with 21 goals and was the recipient of the Hockey East conference's "Best Defensive Forward" award as a 2003-04 senior.

ABOUT THE ECHL

Opening Day for the 20th Anniversary Season will be Oct. 18 when the Johnstown Chiefs host the Wheeling Nailers at Cambria County War Memorial in a rematch of Game 7 from the first-ever ECHL Finals.

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary as the Premier 'AA' Hockey League in 2007-08, the ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in three states and has grown to be a coast-to-coast league that will have 25 teams in 17 states and British Columbia in 2007-08. The 25 teams includes the Mississippi (Biloxi) Sea Wolves, who return after missing two seasons in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and the expansion Elmira (N.Y.) Jackals. The ECHL will play 900 games beginning Oct. 18 and concluding Apr. 5.

Details on Thunder 2007 training camp information will be announced soon. The Thunder begins the 2007-08 ECHL season Friday, October 19 on the road against the Bakersfield Condors at 7:00 p.m. PT, and faces the Alaska Aces on Saturday, October 27 at 7:30 p.m. PT in the home opener at Stockton Arena.

Host of the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game, 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 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.

Todd Jackson

Center

Born Apr 10 1981 -- Cortland, NY

Height 5.10 -- Weight 180 -- Shoots R

Selected by Detroit Red Wings round 8 #251 overall 2000 NHL Entry Draft

--- Regular Season --- ---- Playoffs ----

Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1998-99 US Jr. National Team USHL 53 11 9 20 56 -- -- -- -- --

1999-00 US Jr. National Team USHL 23 8 6 14 12 -- -- -- -- --

2000-01 U. of Maine NCAA 39 4 8 12 8

2001-02 U. of Maine NCAA 39 7 21 28 10

2002-03 U. of Maine NCAA 39 13 13 26 22

2003-04 U. of Maine NCAA 44 21 12 33 34

2004-05 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 30 0 2 2 10 -- -- -- -- --

2004-05 Toledo Storm ECHL 35 12 13 25 24 4 0 0 0 2

2005-06 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 5 0 1 1 2

2005-06 Toledo Storm ECHL 55 19 31 50 44 13 3 6 9 10

2006-07 Phoenix Roadrunners ECHL 56 13 21 34 50 4 1 2 3 9

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