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Melanson, Thunder Agree To Terms

February 21, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers, has agreed to terms with free agent right wing Mathieu Melanson, Thunder head coach Chris Cichocki announced today. Per club policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"Our team is searching for an offensive boost and I'm confident in Mathieu's prospects after he scored 25 goals in highly-intensive playoff games last year," said Cichocki. "He'll have chances to play in a significant offensive role down the stretch."

Melanson, 21, returns to the game after briefly attending Dalhousie (N.B.) University in the fall of 2006. 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.

Melanson's father Rollie is currently an assistant coach with the Montreal Canadiens of the NHL and was a part of three Stanley Cup champion teams with the New York Islanders during his 11-year NHL career (1980-92) as a goaltender with the Islanders, Minnesota North Stars, Los Angeles Kings, New Jersey Devils and Canadiens.

The Thunder returns home to Stockton Arena for its next game on Wednesday, February 21, with a 7:00 p.m. faceoff set against the Bakersfield Condors. 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).

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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