Melanson Activated, Bodie Promoted To Hamilton

Published on February 23, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers, has announced right wing Mathieu Melanson has been activated off the three-day injured reserve list and rookie right wing Troy Bodie has been recalled by the Oilers to the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League.

Melanson is scheduled to make his professional debut tonight as the Thunder faces the Texas Wildcatters and will wear jersey #20.

An eighth round selection (251st overall) of the Minnesota Wild in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Melanson spent his four-year junior career with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens and the Quebec Remparts, where he scored 238 career points (106g-132a) in 259 career junior games and 243 penalty minutes.

Playing under Quebec head coach and Hall-of-Fame goaltender Patrick Roy, the six-foot, 198-pound New York City native helped guide the Remparts to the Canadian Hockey League's esteemed Memorial Cup championship last season, scoring 40 points (25g-15a) in 23 total postseason games. Melanson ranked fourth in Memorial Cup tournament scoring with six points (3g-3a) in four games and scored a goal in the Memorial Cup Championship game against Moncton.

Melanson hit junior career-highs last year with 42 goals, 44 assists and 86 points in 59 regular season games, and ranked third on the team in goal-scoring. He has scored 50 points (30g-20a) in 45 junior career playoff games.

Bodie, 21, has scored 38 points (21g-17a) in 46 games, ranking third on the Thunder in goal-scoring. A ninth round (278th overall) selection by the Oilers in the 2003 National Hockey League Entry Draft, Bodie earned a selection to the National Conference roster at this season's Rbk Hockey ECHL All-Star Game, garnering an assist.

The Portage La Prairie, Manitoba native appeared in two preseason games with the Oilers in September, with Edmonton going 1-1-0 with Bodie in the lineup. Bodie is the fourth Thunder player and Oiler prospect to earn a recall to the AHL level this season.

The Thunder returns to play tonight with a 5:30 p.m. road game against Texas at Ford Arena. The game can be heard live on the internet (free-of-charge) and is available for viewing for a $6 "pay-per-view" charge at www.stocktonthunder.com (courtesy of B2 Networks).

Recently named host of the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game, 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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ECHL Stories from February 23, 2007


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