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Local Native Adamek Returns to Thunder Blueline

July 9, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, the proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers, has agreed to terms with defenseman Mark Adamek, Thunder head coach Chris Cichocki announced today. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"One word to describe Mark is 'steady' - he doesn't make many mistakes and plays within his limts each and every shift," said Cichocki. "He's also good for our dressing room as a positive influence and he's quietly positioning himself as a leader for our hockey club. We're happy that Mark is returning to the Thunder for his third straight year."

Adamek, a Hollister, Calif. native, is the Thunder all-time leader with 131 games played and has appeared in 142 career ECHL games with Stockton and San Diego, scoring 20 points (5g-15a) and tallying 105 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound blueliner has helped guide the Thunder to back-to-back appearances in the Kelly Cup Playoffs and appeared in a career-high 68 games last season, registering 12 points (3g-9a) and 41 penalty minutes while earning the team's "Unsung Hero" award.

Adamek, 26, has appeared in 12 career Kelly Cup Playoff games, scoring one goal and tallying four penalty minutes.

Previously, Adamek spent four years (2002-06) of his college hockey career at Lake Superior State University (NCAA), appearing in 120 career games with the Lakers while amassing 13 assists and 77 penalty minutes.

"Returning to Stockton was a no-brainer," said Adamek, who grew up playing in the San Jose Junior Sharks and Anaheim Junior Ducks programs as a youngster. "My family and I love California and the Valley. The community and fan support help make it an enjoyable experience to play hockey here and the potential to bring in some really good players makes me excited at how far we can go this next season. There's no reason to think we can't go deep into the playoffs."

Returning for his third straight season in a Thunder uniform, Adamek is the second player from the Thunder's 2007-08 roster to agree to terms for next season, joining left wing Tom Zanoski.



ECHL Stories from July 9, 2008


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