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Matt Thomas, Craig Valette Appearing in Ripon July 2

June 29, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, a two-time recipient of the ECHL "Award of Excellence," announced that head coach Matt Thomas and veteran center and captain Craig Valette are scheduled to appear at Ripon Power Play Sports Arena in Ripon on Friday, July 2.

Thomas and Valette will serve two roller hockey games for two separate 11-and-under league games, beginning at 6:00 p.m. and 6:45 p.m., as guest celebrity referees.

Thunder fans will have the opportunity to meet and greet Thomas and Valette after the games for autographs and photos, which will take place from 6-8 p.m. Admission is free and fans are allowed to bring t heir own cameras for photos and memorabilia items to be signed.

Additional Thunder team photos will be available during the event for signing.

Thomas, who will enter his third season as Thunder head coach, has never missed the postseason and recently guided Stockton to their first berth in the Conference Final last season. A two-time selection as coach in the ECHL All-Star Game, the 34-year old has a lifetime record of 234-143-54 (.606 win percentage) in 431 lifetime games behind the bench with Stockton, Fresno and Atlantic City.

He helped guide Atlantic City to a Kelly Cup championship as assistant coach in 2003.

Valette, 27, has scored 36 points (13g-23a) in 65 career regular season games and added 13 points (6g-7a) in 14 lifetime playoff games for the Thunder, played under contract to the San Jose Sharks for five seasons (2003-08) and has totaled 82 points (36g-46a) and 457 penalty minutes in 349 lifetime games in the American Hockey League with Cleveland, Worcester, Houston and Syracuse.



ECHL Stories from June 29, 2010


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