Seven Thunder Players Head to NHL Development Camps

Published on July 6, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, the proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons, announced seven players who have playing experience with the Thunder are participating in development camps with the Edmonton Oilers in Sherwood Park, Alberta and with the Buffalo Sabres in Lewiston, N.Y.

The camps run for five days from June 6-10 and include both on-ice and off-ice sessions. Millennium Place in Sherwood Park will once again host the Oilers top prospects, with 23 total players reporting to camp. All off-ice workouts will take place at Rexall Place and a special team building session has been scheduled at CFB Edmonton.

Niagara University in Lewiston will host the Sabres development camp.

Below is the list of players in NHL development camps with experience in a Thunder uniform:

EDMONTON OILERS - James Bates (RW) - 2008-09 - Jordan Bendfeld (D) - 2008-09 - Geoff Paukovich (C) - 2007-09 - Andrew Perugini (G) - 2008-09 - Bryan Pitton (G) - 2008-09 - Cody Wild (D) - 2008-09

BUFFALO SABRES - Igor Gongalsky (RW) - 2008-09

The complete rosters for the respective teams can be found at www.edmontonoilers.com and www.sabres.com.

The Thunder is represented by four players who were selected in past NHL Entry Drafts, including center Geoff Paukovich (2nd round, 57th overall in 2004), goaltender Bryan Pitton (5th round, 133rd overall in 2006), defenseman Jordan Bendfeld (7th round, 193rd overall in 2008) and defenseman Cody Wild (5th round, 140th overall in 2006).

In the past two seasons, there have been 16 players with experience in a Thunder uniform who went on to attend NHL development camps.

The Thunder return 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/.

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