Thunder Forwards Jim McKenzie, Jason Pitton Loaned

Published on November 27, 2010 under 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 right winger Jim McKenzie and left winger Jason Pitton (PITT-in) have been loaned from the Thunder to the Worcester Sharks of the American Hockey League on a professional tryout agreement (PTO).

McKenzie and Pitton should be available to suit up for the Sharks tonight, who host the Charlotte Checkers beginning at 4:00 p.m.

Pitton, heading to the AHL on his second call-up this season, is second on the Thunder with 14 points (5g-9a) in 15 games and leads the team with a +8 rating while posting 34 penalty minutes this year.

He skated in one AHL game for Manitoba earlier this year, collecting two penalty minutes.

Pitton, 24, was selected by the New York Islanders in the eighth round (244th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and enjoyed a career-high 11 goals and 24 points (11g-13a) in 38 ECHL games last year. He also led the Thunder with seven goals in the Kelly Cup Playoffs and totaled 14 points (7g-7a) in 15 postseason games.

The Brampton, Ontario native has collected 51 career points (21g-30a) in 76 ECHL games with Stockton and Utah. In 162 career games in the AHL with Manitoba, Bridgeport and Springfield, Pitton has registered 13 goals, 30 points (13g-17a) and 152 penalty minutes.

McKenzie, 27, has skated in 16 games for the Thunder this season, scoring six points (3g-3a) while posting 15 penalty minutes. Returning to the AHL for the fourth consecutive season, he has previously suited up in 64 career games with Binghamton and Lake Erie from 2007-10, scoring eight points (3g-5a) and posting 33 penalty minutes.

Last year, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound forward totaled career-highs in points (40), goals (16) and assists (24) in 2009-10 with the Johnstown Chiefs, suiting up in 55 games and collecting 107 penalty minutes. He also skated in two AHL games with Lake Erie.

McKenzie and Pitton are among four Thunder players to earn professional tryout contracts with AHL teams this year, also joining center Chris D'Alvise (Springfield) and left winger Garet Hunt (Worcester).

A two-time recipient of the ECHL "Award of Excellence," Thunder has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons, was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine for the third straight year, and drew over 200,000 fans for the fifth consecutive season in 2009-10. Season Tickets, mini-plans and individual tickets for 2010-11 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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