Thunder Assigned Levesque, O'Connor, Matheson

Published on October 3, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, proud ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League, announced center Gabriel Levesque (Leh-VECK), left wing Ian O'Connor and defenseman Brock Matheson have been assigned to the Thunder from the Worcester Sharks of the American Hockey League.

The following transactions were also announced:

* Kyle Paige (LW) - signed by the Thunder to a professional tryout agreement (PTO)

* Jeff Sawhill (D) - released from amateur tryout agreement (ATO)

The transactions increase the Thunder roster to 30 players for the 2011-12 training camp period.

Levesque, 21, makes the Thunder his first pro team after leading the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in assists (70) last season. He skated in 68 games for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan and also led the club in points (107), plus-minus rating (+33) and tied for the team led in goals (37), with all totals registering as career-highs.

His six points (2g-4a) in four games also led Acadie-Bathurst in playoff scoring.

For his four-year (2007-11) junior career, the 5-foot-7 and 170-pound pivot tallied 245 points (78g-167a), a +29 rating and 102 penalty minutes in 253 games with Acadie-Bathurst and Rouyn-Noranda.

O'Connor, 24, makes the Thunder his second pro team after making his debut with the Reading Royals of the ECHL last season. He collected one goal, seven penalty minutes and a +1 rating in six games.

The 6-foot and 200 pound forward previously skated with Providence College (NCAA) and led the Friars last season as a senior with a career-high 24 points (8g-16) and 16 assists in 34 games.

O'Connor, a native of Londonderry, N. H., skated in 135 career games for Providence, collecting 62 points (26g-36a) and 102 penalty minutes through four seasons (2007-11).

Matheson, 24, made his pro debut with the Binghamton Senators of the AHL last season and collected two penalty minutes in two games.

Previously, the 6-foot-1 and 190 pound defenseman suited up in 141 career games with Union College (NCAA) and notched 123 penalty minutes and 24 points (9g-15a). As a two-year captain, he earned ECAC Hockey Best Defensive Defenseman honors and was the first player at Union to be named recipient of the award since 1997.

As a 2010-11 senior, Matheson picked up a career-high ten points (3g-7a) and seven assists in 40 games. His +27 rating ranked tied for second in the ECAC Conference.

Paige, 23, previously skated for University of Toronto (CIS) in 2009-10 and collected 11 points (5g-6a) and 36 penalty minutes in 26 games.

The 6-foot-1 and 191 pound forward has eight games of ECHL playing experience with the Utah Grizzlies from 2007-09 and has scored one goal.

OPENING NIGHT AND TICKET INFORMATION

Opening Night is Friday, Oct. 14, when the Thunder opens the 2011-12 regular season at home against the Colorado Eagles, starting at 7:30 p.m. at Stockton Arena. The game will be a historic ECHL event to welcome in the Eagles, who will play in their inaugural game after spending the previous eight seasons in the Central Hockey League.

The Thunder are freezing most Season Ticket prices for the 2011-12 season, which are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (209) 373-1500 or by visiting www.stocktonthunder.com. Thunder Season Ticket Holders enjoy the highest-demanded seating locations in Stockton Arena, benefits including admission to Season Ticket Holder-only events, discount opportunities on Thunder merchandise, a free e-newsletter, an exclusive gift, admission to the first two rounds of the Kelly Cup Playoffs and more.

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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