
Thunder Edmonton Assigns G Bryan Pitton, D Jordan
November 4, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release
STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks, announced today that the Oilers have assigned goaltender Bryan Pitton (PITT-in) and defenseman Jordan Bendfeld to the Thunder from the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League.
Pitton and Bendfeld increase the total to ten players currently on the active roster, who suited up for last year's Thunder team that advanced to the Conference Final for the first time in team history.
Pitton, 22, joins his brother Jason on the team for the second straight year and for his third season in a Thunder uniform. The 6-foot-2, 176-pound goaltender is 1-1-0 in two games for Oklahoma City this year with a 3.53 goals-against-average and .891 save percentage.
Last season, he was 9-9-3 with the Thunder in the regular season, posting one shutout, a 2.85 goals-against-average and led the ECHL with a .921 save percentage before being recalled to the Springfield Falcons for the remainder of the regular season.
He directly recalled from the Thunder to the Edmonton Oilers twice, earned two separate Reebok Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Week awards and broke a Thunder playoff record with 49 saves, earning a shutout in his professional playoff debut on May 5 vs. Idaho in Game 3 of the National Conference Finals (1-0 win in triple overtime).
The native of Mississauga, Ontario was selected by Edmonton in the fifth round (133rd overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and is 18-28-6 with a 3.18 GAA and .901 save percentage in 56 lifetime games with the Thunder. He has appeared in 10 career AHL games with Oklahoma City and Springfield, posting a 3-6-0 record, 4.04 GAA and .874 save percentage.
Bendfeld, 22, returns after an assignment to Stockton on Oct. 16. He has suited up in one game for the Thunder this year and was selected in the seventh round (193rd overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by Edmonton.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound defenseman has skated in 70 career games for the Thunder over the last three seasons (2008-11), scoring 13 points (1g-12a) while posting 116 penalty minutes.
Last season, the Leduc, Alberta native recorded five points (1g-4a) and a +10 rating in 15 Kelly Cup Playoff games, helping guide the Thunder to the National Conference Finals for the first time in team history. Bendfeld suited up in 52 regular season games last year for the Thunder, posting ten assists and 91 penalty minutes.
He also skated in ten AHL games for Springfield, collecting one assist and seven penalty minutes.
Additionally, the Thunder announced the following transactions: Chris Lawrence (RW) activated off injured reserve Cameron Brodie (D) placed on 3-day injured reserve Travis Yonkman (G) placed on waivers
Both Pitton and Bendfeld skated for Edmonton at the 2010 YoungStars Tournament in September and are expected to be available to suit up for the Thunder on Friday, when the team returns to play at Stockton Arena against the Bakersfield Condors at 7:30 p.m. (1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com).
ECHL Stories from November 4, 2010
- Goaltender Ben Scrivens Recalled to Toronto - Reading Royals
- Jackals Receive Brodeur from Binghamton - Elmira Jackals
- Wranglers to Honor Veterans - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Road Game Viewing Parties Begin this Weekend - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Jackals Announce Roster Moves - Elmira Jackals
- Stingrays Receive Connelly from Elmira - South Carolina Stingrays
- Salmon Kings' "Canadian Armed Forces Night" this Saturday - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Thunder Edmonton Assigns G Bryan Pitton, D Jordan - Stockton Thunder
- Nesbitt Player of the Month and Plus Performer for October - Atlanta Gladiators
- Gwinnett's Nesbitt Named Reebok Hockey ECHL Player of the Month - ECHL
- Celebrate Opening Weekend with the Stingrays - South Carolina Stingrays
- Gwinnett's Nesbitt Is AMI Graphics ECHL Plus Performer of the Month - ECHL
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Morency's hat trick paces Condors win - Bakersfield Condors
- Aces Clipped By Condors 5-4 - Alaska Aces
- David Shantz's 31-save effort backstops Victoria to a 3-2 victory over Idaho - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Steelheads Fall 3-2 In Victoria - Idaho Steelheads
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Stockton Thunder Stories
- Final Weather Report: All the News and Notes from the Stockton Thunder
- Thunder Announce End of the Year Equipment Sale
- Thunder Win Final ECHL Game in front of Sold Out Crowd
- Final Thunder Home Game at Stockton Arena at 7:30 p.m.
- Larocque Scores in Second Straight against Bakersfield but Team Falls

