Thunder Assigned Bryan Lerg, Hrabal Recalled

October 20, 2008 - 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, has announced the Oilers have assigned rookie forward Bryan Lerg from Springfield to the Thunder and defenseman Josef Hrabal has been recalled from the Thunder to Springfield.

Lerg will wear jersey number 13 and is scheduled to make his debut in a Thunder uniform on Wednesday when the Thunder starts a six game road trip against the Bakersfield Condors at 7:00 p.m. from Rabobank Arena (1420 KSTN, www.StocktonThunder.com).

"Bryan is a dynamic, offensive forward who will boost our scoring depth up front," said Thunder head coach Chris Cichocki. "We're obviously happy to have him here and we'll give him every opportunity to develop with quality minutes on the ice."

Lerg, 22, was signed by the Oilers as a free agent on Apr. 1, 2008 and has appeared in five career AHL games with Springfield, amassing two assists and two penalty minutes. The Livonia, Mich. native previously played all four years (2004-08) of his college career with Michigan State University (NCAA), skating in 169 career games and scoring 128 points (68g-60a).

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound forward helped guide the Spartans to an NCAA Frozen Four national championship as a 2006-07 junior, leading the NCAA with eight game-winning goals (tied MSU's program record). Lerg tied the team's lead last season with 20 goals, led the team with 10 power-play goals and posted a career-high 39 points (20g-19a) in 42 games while serving as team captain.

He was twice named Michigan State's Offensive Player of the Year (2005-06, 2006-07) and was a teammate of Thunder left wing Mike Lalonde in 2004-05. Lerg appeared in one NHL preseason game for the Oilers this season.

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for three consecutive seasons and drew 239,337 fans to Stockton Arena in 2007-08. Season tickets, group tickets, individual 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 October 20, 2008


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