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Matt O'Dette, Thunder Agree to Terms

September 18, 2009 - 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 veteran defenseman Matt O'Dette (OH-det), Thunder head coach Matt Thomas announced today. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

O'Dette, 33, will supplement his role in his 13th season as a player with additional coaching responsibilities in a special "player/assistant coach" position. He is the fifth returner from last year's team that finished 22-16-3 after Dec. 31 and advanced to the seventh game of the second round (Pacific Division Final) of the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

"Matt's proven track record as a leader and experience at the AHL level, where many players in our league want to advance, are qualities that retain instant credibility for our dressing room," said Thomas. "As a player, we're bringing back a tough, physical and hard-nosed defenseman who's performed as one of the top penalty killers in our league. As he transitions into his coaching career, his ability to communicate and hold accountability with our younger players will be a tremendous addition."

O'Dette, who is back for his fifth season with Thomas, is the second player to fill a "veteran" status spot (over 260 professional games played) on the Thunder roster (joining center Craig Valette) and increases the roster total to 17 players (10 forwards and seven defensemen).

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound blueliner signed with the Thunder as a free agent on Dec. 30, 2008 and was named the third captain in team history on Feb. 13, suiting up in 35 games for Stockton while collecting 6 points (3g-3a) and 72 penalty minutes.

O'Dette has split his 12 year career between Saint John, Quebec and Hamilton of the AHL and in the ECHL with Stockton, Fresno and Roanoke, skating in 649 career games while amassing 1,575 penalty minutes and 115 points (37g-78a). O'Dette has participated in 69 career playoff games as a professional, scoring three assists while helping guide Saint John to an appearance in the Calder Cup Finals in 1998.

The Oshawa, Ontario native has amassed 39 games of ECHL postseason experience, additionally served as Fresno's captain for three seasons (2005-08) and helped guide the Falcons to the club's first Pacific Division title, 100 point season and a berth in the National Conference Finals in 2005-06.

O'Dette was originally selected by the Florida Panthers in the seventh round (157th overall) of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. The Oshawa, Ontario native enjoyed a trip to NHL training camp in 2002-03 with the Montreal Canadiens, scoring two goals in seven games and was a member of the club's Stanley Cup Playoff roster that year.

O'Dette's junior career spanned four seasons (1992-96) between the Kitchener Rangers and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League, notching 386 penalty minutes in 183 career games, adding 35 points (11g-24a) from the blueline.

"I'm approaching a transition point of my career where I'm excited to both continue filling a playing role and begin a new career ambition," said O'Dette. "Matt Thomas is a good coach to learn from with his experience, ability to prepare and commitment to help players graduate to the next level. I'm looking forward to working with him. It will be exciting to return to Stockton, a city that's a privilege to play in. It's no secret they have great fans."

O'Dette replaces Ryan Mougenel and Tim O'Connell in the assistant coach role. Mougenel was named head coach of the Las Vegas Wranglers on June 25.

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/.



ECHL Stories from September 18, 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.

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