Langley Duo Burton, Vanoosten Agree To Terms

Published on August 4, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, the proud ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League and Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League, has agreed to contract terms with center Tyler Burton and rookie defenseman Steve Vanoosten (Van-OO-stehn), Thunder head coach Matt Thomas announced today. Per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Burton and Vanoosten, both natives of Langley, British Columbia will call themselves "teammates" for the first time since 2003-04 in junior, when the two were members of the Chilliwack Chiefs of the British Columbia Hockey League (tier II, Junior "A").

"We've wanted to add a premier scorer of Tyler's ability level this summer," said Thomas. "To put player of his skill level into a Thunder sweater is an exciting day for our hockey club. His proven track record of success in junior and college has validated him as an offensive force. We're confident he can build on last season and become a leader for us in helping put the puck in the net."

Said Thomas on Vanoosten, "Steve is a defenseman with outstanding skating ability who was a key component of a successful college program at Alaska-Fairbanks. We're looking for his two-way style and skill to help on the breakout and translate into a nice compliment for our high-tempo attacking style."

Burton, 24, makes Stockton his second ECHL stop after splitting his rookie season last year between the Trenton Devils and AHL's Lowell Devils, skating in 27 combined games while scoring 19 points (10g-9a) and adding 18 penalty minutes while playing on an AHL contract with Lowell.

In 33 career pro games with Trenton and Lowell, the 5-foot-9, 180-pound center has tallied 21 points (11g-10a) and 20 penalty minutes. He scored the first hat trick of his career last year on November 29 against the Florida Everblades and recorded four multi-point games.

Burton enjoyed a decorated four-year (2004-08) college career at Colgate University (NCAA) and exited as a leader in numerous categories. He ranked first on the program's all-time list for games played (158), sixth in goals (82) and tied for 16th in points (155) with current St. Louis Blues forward, Andy McDonald. Burton, who led the team in scoring for three of his four seasons as a Raider, led the ECAC conference as a 2007-08 senior with a career-high 41 points (23g-18) while leading the Raiders with 32 goals.

"Steve and I have been best friends since childhood, so getting the chance play again with him and in an environment like Stockton is an exciting opportunity," said Burton. "He and I play well together and know where each other is on the ice. I've heard great things about Stockton with the fan base, team and staff and it makes me eager to start fresh on the west coast."

Vanoosten, 24, makes the Thunder his first pro stop after spending four years (2005-09) of his college hockey career at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks (NCAA) where he skated in 145 career games, scoring 20 points (3g-17a) while amassing 93 penalty minutes.

The 6-foot-1, 193-pound blueliner recorded a career-high seven points (1g-6a) and added 22 penalty minutes in 38 games as a 2006-07 sophomore and posted six assists and 30 penalty minutes in all 39 games last year as a senior.

"It's always fun playing hockey with your best friend," said Vanoosten. "Tyler and I grew up playing in various minor and summer leagues, so getting the chance again to call him a teammate on a team moving forward like the Thunder and in a great city is a great fit. I've heard of the great community support behind the team and it helps that much more as a player when you have the home crowd behind you."

The Thunder returns to the ice for preseason play on Thursday, Oct. 8 against the Bakersfield Condors, starting at 7:00 p.m. at Stockton Arena. The 2009-10 season, the fifth year anniversary for the team, launches on Friday, Oct. 16 at Qwest Arena against the Idaho Steelheads at 6:10 p.m. and the Thunder home opener is Friday, Oct. 23 against the Ontario Reign at 7:30 p.m. at Stockton Arena.

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season tickets for 2009-10 are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit http://www.stocktonthunder.com/.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from August 4, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central