Thomas, Valette Chat Online With Fans Sept. 30

Published on September 24, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, a two-time recipient of the ECHL "Award of Excellence," is scheduled host an online chat session with head coach Matt Thomas and veteran center Craig Valette on Wednesday, Sept. 30 from 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. PT.

The Thunder is hosting the chat session, open to all fans at www.TinyChat.com/StocktonThunder. All fans will have an opportunity to chat LIVE with Thunder players, coaches and more.

To chat live with Thomas and Valette, fans are asked to use the special password "09chatST" (case-sensitive). Once logged in, fans can enter their own customized nickname or use their Twitter account username to participate in the chat session. Questions can be submitted by using the text bar at the bottom of the chat application.

ABOUT HEAD COACH MATT THOMAS Thomas will enter his second year as head coach of the Thunder after signing a two-year contract extension on June 11 and previously being named to the position on Dec. 29, 2008. After four seasons-plus as head coach of the Fresno Falcons and Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies, Thomas guided the Thunder to a 22-16-3 finish last season and led the team to within one win of reaching the National Conference Finals.

Thomas has never missed the playoffs in his five years as a head coach and has an overall record of 201-114-44 (winning percentage of .621) in 359 career games at the helm for Stockton, Fresno and Atlantic City.

ABOUT CENTER CRAIG VALETTE Valette, 26, was re-signed by the Thunder on July 23 after serving as acting captain during the playoffs when his 13 points (6g-7a) in 14 games ranked third in Thunder postseason scoring. Valette also paced tied for second on the Thunder with six playoff goals, including three game-winning tallies in a seven-game, first round upset of the Pacific Division champion Ontario Reign.

Previously signed to an NHL contract with the San Jose Sharks, Valette scored a goal in three NHL preseason games in 2006-07 and has skated in 392 career games as a professional, scoring 107 points (45g-62) and 522 penalty minutes with the Thunder and appearing in 349 AHL games with Cleveland, Worcester, Houston and Syracuse.

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. Tickets for the game (open seating) are on sale at $10 for the general public and $5 for current Thunder Season Ticket Holders and are available by calling the Thunder at (209) 373-1500.

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 proud ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League and Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League, 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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