Paul Caponigri Acquired From Texas

Published on October 24, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons, announced left wing Paul Caponigri (cap-ah-NEE-gree) has been acquired from the Texas Wildcatters in exchange for future considerations.

"Paul is an experienced player who can play all three forward positions and isn't afraid to go into high-traffic areas," said Thunder head coach Chris Cichocki. "He was a player we pursued in the offseason and we're glad to add his contributions to our lineup."

Caponigri is expected to make his debut in a Thunder uniform in Saturday's 2007-08 Stockton Arena home opener against the Alaska Aces, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Caponigri, 28, has scored 120 points (43g-77a) with 314 penalty minutes in 195 career professional games with the ECHL's Wildcatters, Idaho Steelheads, Johnstown Chiefs, Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies, San Diego Gulls and the United Hockey League's Chicago Hounds and Kalamazoo Wings.

The Oak Park, Ill. native had one assist in two games this season with Texas and ranked third on Atlantic City with a career-high 43 points (15g-28a) in 2004-05. Caponigri also scored a career-high 15 goals, 28 assists and had a career-high 114 penalty minutes with Atlantic City, helping guide the Boardwalk Bullies to a National Conference berth in the 2005 Kelly Cup Playoffs with a 42-22-8 regular season record (92 points).

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound forward spent four years (2000-04) of his college hockey career at Ohio State University (NCAA), scoring 132 points (53g-79a) in 154 career games with the Buckeyes. Caponigri led the program with a career-high 39 points (17g-22a) and 17 goals in 39 games as a 2003-04 senior, helping guide the Buckeyes to a CCHA Conference championship and a berth in the NCAA Frozen Four tournament.

The Thunder wraps the season-opening four-game road trip against the Phoenix RoadRunners tonight at 7:11 p.m. from U.S. Airways Center. The Thunder faces the Alaska Aces on Saturday, October 27 at 7:30 p.m. PT in the home opener at Stockton Arena. Both games can be heard live on radio at 1420 KSTN and on the internet (video and audio available) at www.stocktonthunder.com, courtesy of B2 Networks.

Host of the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game and festivities on Jan. 22 and 23, the Thunder has led the ECHL in attendance for two consecutive seasons and drew 244,085 fans to Stockton Arena in 2006-07. Season tickets, mini plans, group and individual tickets for 2007-08 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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