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LaFrance, Bates, Chwedoruk, Maslonka Assigned From Springfield

October 2, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, the proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons, announced today that rookie center Toby LaFrance (la-FRANTZ), rookie right wing Jamie Bates, right wing Justin Chwedoruk (chew-DOR-uk) and defenseman Milan Maslonka (MEE-lan, Mas-LAWN-kah) have been assigned to the Thunder from Springfield.

In addition, it was announced Thunder defenseman Neil Petruic (peh-TROO-ick) was released from his training camp tryout agreement with Springfield.

TOBY LaFRANCE ASSIGNED TO THUNDER

LaFrance, 21, signed an AHL contract with Springfield during the summer of 2008 and made his pro debut with the Texas Wildcatters (ECHL) last year, scoring two goals in two regular season games while adding four points (2g-2a) in eight Kelly Cup Playoff games. Previously, the 5-foot-9, 189-pound pivot averaged nearly a point per game output in 230 career contests with the Victoriaville Tigres of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, scoring 229 points (112g-117a) while adding 148 penalty minutes.

The Granby, Quebec native notched five career hat tricks with Victoriaville and led the QMJHL last season with 24 power-play goals, additionally posting career highs in points (89), assists (48) and goals (41) which led the Tigres in points and goal-scoring.

JAMIE BATES ASSIGNED TO THUNDER

Bates, 23, signed an AHL contract with Springfield during the summer of 2008 and began his pro career with the Norfolk Admirals (AHL) last season, notching one assist in five games with nine penalty minutes. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound winger previously spent his four year (2004-08) college hockey career with Quinnipiac University (NCAA), skating in 143 career games while scoring 129 points (52g-77a) and adding 88 penalty minutes.

The native of Toronto, Ontario had a career high 41 points (21g-20a) in 39 games as a 2005-06 sophomore, ranking second on the Bobcats with 21 goals. In addition, Bates scored a conference leading 12 power-play goals in 2006-07 which ranked second in the entire NCAA.

"Toby and Jamie are first year pros who have the potential to make their mark with us in offensive situations. They'll certainly have every opportunity to play a significant role in our offense," said Thunder head coach Chris Cichocki, currently attending AHL training camp in Springfield. "Toby is a crafty player with great open ice vision and playmaking skills who will find the open guy. Jamie has a heavy shot with a quick release and has a knack to score goals coming down the wing. He's surprised a lot of goaltenders with his shot and has the potential to score big time goals for us."

JUSTIN CHWEDORUK ASSIGNED TO THUNDER

Chwedoruk, 24, signed an AHL contract with Springfield during the summer of 2008 after scoring one goal in three games with the Falcons last season while playing under a professional tryout agreement (PTO). Chwedoruk has skated in 199 career pro games with Bakersfield and Wheeling of the ECHL, Springfield of the AHL, Quad City of the United Hockey League and Oklahoma City and Lubbock of the Central Hockey League, scoring 125 career points (52g-73a) and amassing 295 penalty minutes.

The 5-foot-9, 170-pound forward amassed 30 points (17g-13a) and 109 penalty minutes in 68 combined ECHL games last year with the Bakersfield Condors and Wheeling Nailers. His career best numbers came in 2006-07 with the Quad City Mallards, notching 68 points (24g-44a) and 110 penalty minutes in 71 games.

MILAN MASLONKA, AT 6-FOOT-7, ASSIGNED TO THUNDER

Maslonka, 21, enters his third pro season after suiting up in 56 games for the Youngstown Steelhounds of the Central Hockey League last season, amassing 298 penalty minutes and posting seven points (3g-4a). The Zvolen, Slovakia native earned a call-up during the season to the Albany River Rats (AHL) during the year, posting two penalty minutes in one game.

A defenseman at 6-foot-7, 245-pounds while earning the nickname "The Slovakian Smokestack" during his pro tenure, Maslonka has appeared in 96 career games with Elmira of the United Hockey League, Youngstown and Albany, notching 498 penalty minutes while scoring 14 points (4g-10a). Previously, Maslonka skated in 10 games with Zvolen of the Slovakian League from 2004-06.

Maslonka, who earned a spot in NHL training camp with the Oilers this year, currently checks in as the tallest (6-foot-7, tied with Bakersfield's Tom Morrow) and heaviest (245 pounds) player to dot an ECHL roster for 2008-09 to date.

"Justin is a high energy guy who works extremely hard each and every shift," said Cichocki. "Milan is a big, towering defenseman who is eager to play a physical game and we'll provide him the proper environment to succeed in his development. He can be an intimidating presence with his size and willingness to drop the gloves."

Thunder players hit the ice for the first time during training camp on Monday, Oct. 6, proceeded by "FanFest" at 5:30 p.m. from Stockton Arena, free to the general public. The preseason schedule launches on Thursday, Oct. 9 when the Thunder faces the Fresno Falcons, starting at 7:00 p.m. from Stockton Arena. Stockton and Fresno will meet 10 times during the 2008-09 regular season, beginning with "Opening Night" on Saturday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m. at Stockton Arena.

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for three consecutive seasons and drew 239,337 fans to Stockton Arena in 2007-08. Season tickets and mini plans 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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