Thunder Acquires Forwards Brayden Irwin and Shawn O'Donnell from the Florida Everblades

September 6, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder (@StocktonThunder ), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League, has acquired forwards Brayden Irwin and Shawn O'Donnell from the Florida Everblades in exchange for defenseman Mike Little and the ECHL contract rights of Tony DeHart, head coach and Director of Hockey Operations Rich Kromm announced today.

Irwin, 26, spent the past two seasons with the Everblades, where he tallied 60 points (31g-29a) in the regular season. In the 2012 playoffs, he contributed 13 points (6g-7a) on the way to the Kelly Cup championship. He also has 60 AHL games under his belt and made a two-game appearance in 2009-10 with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL, where he notched two penalty minutes.

The 6-foot-5, 223-pound forward is expected to be a big addition to the Thunder offense this season.

"Brayden is a big centerman who was a part of [Florida's] playoff championship team a couple years ago," Kromm said. "He's trying to get an AHL contract and it just hasn't developed for him yet. He's going to be a good player for us; he's big and very good offensively. He's had good numbers wherever he's been."

O'Donnell, 25, made his ECHL debut last season, collecting a goal and three assists in his first five games with Florida. He played in more than 100 games at St. Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, after spending four seasons with the Weeks Crushers (MJAHL) and Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL).

"He had a good college career and is fairly highly-regarded by the scouting staff," Kromm said. "We expect him to be pretty versatile. He's probably going to be a little bit similar to guys like Bergie (Matt Bergland) and Austin Mayer, who are two-way guys that have the potential to produce offensively."

In exchange for Irwin and O'Donnell the Everblades obtained Little, who spent the past two seasons with the Thunder and was "Thunder Defenseman of the Year" in 2012. Florida was also given the ECHL contract rights of DeHart, who is currently signed with the St. Charles Chill of the Central Hockey League and was "Thunder Defenseman of the Year" this past season.

The Thunder opens the regular season at home for "Opening Night," with the unveiling of the Western Conference championship banner on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. against the Colorado Eagles at Stockton Arena.

A two time recipient of the ECHL "Award of Excellence" and defending Western Conference champion, the Thunder led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew over 200,000 fans for the eighth consecutive season in 2012-13. Season Tickets and Mini Plans 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 .



ECHL Stories from September 6, 2013


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