Martz Returns To Play Tonight

Published on December 29, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, an ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers, has announced assistant captain and center Nathan Martz has been activated off the seven-day injured reserve list.

In addition, goaltender Rob Laurie has been added to the roster on an emergency backup basis and emergency backup goaltender Jeff Tyni has been released.

Martz, 25, has scored 21 points (5g-16a) in 16 games this season, leading the Thunder in scoring before being placed on injured reserve on December 13. The Chilliwack, British Columbia native was recently named as a starter for the National Conference at this season's 2007 RBK Hockey ECHL All-Star Game in Boise and tallied a career-high 57 points (16g-41a) in 65 games for the Thunder in 2005-06, finishing second on the team in scoring and assists.

Laurie, 36, is back in professional hockey after a five-year absence, filling a vacant goaltending position with rookie goaltender Devan Dubnyk competing for Team Canada at the Spengler Cup in Switzerland until January. The East Lansing, Michigan native has appeared in 200 career ECHL games (1992-97) with Roanoke Valley, Dayton, Johnstown, Greensboro, Toledo, Tallahassee, and Huntington, posting a 94-81-9 record and a .886 save percentage.

Laurie was Huntington's single-season record holder for most appearances (56), most minutes played (3,198), most wins (27), most shots faced (1,886) and most saves (1,673).

The Thunder faces a road rematch with the local rival Fresno Falcons tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Save Mart Center. The game can be heard live on the internet (free-of-charge) and is viewable for a $6 "pay-per-view" charge at www.stocktonthunder.com (courtesy of B2 Networks).

The Thunder drew 228,364 fans to Stockton Arena in its inaugural season, the ECHL's best attendance mark for 2005-06. Thunder season tickets, mini-plans, group tickets and individual tickets for the 2006-07 season 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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