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Thunder Announces Training Camp Roster

October 7, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder has announced their inaugural training camp roster for the 2005-06 season by agreeing to terms with eight new additions, Thunder head coach Chris Cichocki announced today. The Thunder added defensemen Jason Metcalfe, Gio Flamminio, Joel Irwin, Mike Kiesman, Jason Kostadine, Casey Bartzen, Richard Keyes, and goaltender Jeff Weber.

Defensemen Brad Sullivan, Travis Leighton, forwards Christian Hankins, Avery Wilson, and goaltender Kasey Moreland will also join training camp on a tryout basis, hiking the Thunder training camp roster to 25 players.

Metcalfe, 27, was originally a ninth round selection by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft and has accumulated five years of professional hockey playing experience. Metcalfe spent the 2004-05 campaign with the Greenville Grrrowl (ECHL), collecting 13 points (3g-10a=13p) and 216 penalty minutes in 68 games. He also saw action in seven playoff games, picking up 10 penalty minutes. Through 24 career Kelly Cup Playoff games, Metcalfe has accumulated 3 points (0g-3a=3p) and 38 penalty minutes. His brother Scott has appeared in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers and Buffalo Sabres.

Flamminio, 21, is slated to make his professional debut in a Thunder uniform. He spent the 2004-05 season with Kindersley Klippers (SJHL), racking up 60 points (17g-43a=60p), placing third on the Klippers in goals and second in scoring. His 152 penalty minutes also placed him fourth on the team in such category.

Irwin, 30, is one of two players the Thunder receives from overseas hockey, appearing in 34 games in Germany last season with Berlin Preussen (GerObl), tallying 30 points (9g-21a=30p) and 74 penalty minutes. He last appeared in the ECHL with the Greensboro Generals in 2003-04 (17g-30a=47p), and has cracked the 20-goal mark three times in 282 career games in the ECHL (92g-121a=213p), with the Generals, Richmond Renegades and Pee Dee Pride.

Keyes, 30, spent the 2004-05 campaign in Germany as well, notching 51 points (26g-25a=51a) with Leipzig (GerObl) in 44 games. Keyes has appeared in 218 career ECHL games with the Charlotte Checkers, Toledo Storm, and Columbus Chill, last appearing in 2003-04 with Charlotte, picking up 30 points (12g-18a=30p).

Kiesman, 26, moves only two hours up highway 99 after spending the last two seasons with the Fresno Falcons (ECHL). Previous to his 11 point-campaign (6g-5a) last season, Kiesman achieved career scoring highs in 68 games with the Falcons (15g-17a=32p) in 2003-04. He has accumulated 277 career games with the Falcons, Peoria Rivermen, Baton Rouge Kingfish, Roanoke Express, Pensacola Ice Pilots and Johnstown Chiefs.

Kostadine, originally an eighth round pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, appeared in 68 games with the Texas Wildcatters (ECHL) in his 2004-05 rookie campaign, tallying 12 points (5g-7a=12p). The 22-year old led the team with 224 penalty minutes.

Bartzen, 26, joins the Thunder after appearing in two games last season with the Victoria Salmon Kings (ECHL) in his professional debut. Bartzen spent the four seasons with University of British Columbia (CIS), appearing in 134 total games (17g-82a=99p). His 33 points (2g-31a=33p) in 2004-05 led the team in scoring and assists.

Weber, an eighth round pick by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, is in his second tour of duty with the Thunder but in a different city, previously appearing in three games in his professional debut with Atlantic City in 2004-05. The 21-year old picked up two wins the Boardwalk Bullies, along with a .928 save percentage in 140 total minutes.

The Thunder open training camp on Saturday October 8th at 9am at Stockton's Oak Park Rink, with all practice sessions open to the public. Stockton opens the 2005-06 campaign October 22nd on the road against the Fresno Falcons, and host Fresno in the Thunder's inaugural home opener on December 3rd.

Season tickets for the upcoming Thunder season are on sale now. Tickets for the home opener can currently be purchased as part of a full or mini season package. For more information on season tickets, mini packages, merchandise, or other information, please call the Stockton Thunder at (209) 948-3322 or visit www.stocktonthunder.com.



ECHL Stories from October 7, 2005


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