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Thunder Dubnyk Becomes 7th Thunder Alum To Make NHL Debut

November 29, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - Goaltender Devan Dubnyk, who appeared in 43 games in net with the Stockton Thunder in 2006-07, made his National Hockey League debut with the Edmonton Oilers tonight against the Vancouver Canucks and made 21 saves at GM Place in Vancouver.

Originally selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round (14th overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, the 23-year old Dubnyk was 9-8-1 with Springfield this year, with a 2.77 goals against average and.924 save percentage, prior to his recall by the Oilers on Nov. 23.

Dubnyk, 23, represented the Thunder in the 2007 ECHL All-Star Game and set Thunder single-season records for wins (24), minutes played (2,529), lowest goals-against-average (2.56) and save percentage (.921) in 2006-07, helping guide the Thunder to their first Kelly Cup Playoff berth in team history.

The 6-foot-6, 194-pound goaltender broke Springfield records last year with 62 appearances and 3,635 minutes played, also tallying a.910 save percentage, 2.97 goals-against-average and an 18-41-2 record.

Dubnyk, who is the third player with experience in a Thunder uniform to make his NHL debut this month and the second in 24 hours (right wing Colin McDonald debuted Nov. 27 vs. San Jose and center Ryan O'Marra debuted Nov. 10 at Ottawa), won the Thunder "Best Newcomer" award in 2006-07 and is the Thunder single-season record holder for most appearances (43, tied with Jake Moreland), minutes (2,529), wins (24), save percentage (.921) and lowest goals-against-average (2.56).

Dubnyk is the seventh player with experience in a Thunder uniform to advance and make his NHL debut, joining right wing Colin McDonald (with Edmonton, vs. San Jose on Nov. 27, 2009), center Ryan O'Marra (with Edmonton, at Ottawa on Nov. 10, 2009), right wing Troy Bodie (with Anaheim, at Pittsburgh on Jan. 16, 2009), center Tim Sestito (with Edmonton, vs. Los Angeles on Nov. 26, 2008), left wing Liam Reddox (with Edmonton, vs. St. Louis on Dec. 7, 2007) and defenseman Bryan Young (with Edmonton, at Anaheim on Mar. 9, 2007).

In tonight's game at Vancouver, O'Marra recorded his first NHL point (assist) and McDonald scored his first NHL goal.

For the fourth consecutive season, Stockton is serving as the AA minor-league affiliate for the Oilers. The Thunder has advanced to the Kelly Cup Playoffs three consecutive years since the affiliation partnership began in the 2006-07 season. In total, seven Thunder players, including two who have been selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft (O'Marra and Dubnyk), have been named to play in the ECHL All-Star Game in the last three years while in the Oilers farm system.

The proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Edmonton Oilers and AHL's Springfield Falcons, 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, Group, Mini Plan and Individual 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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