Thunder Free "Fan Fest" Event Returns Sunday, October 10

September 30, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, a two-time recipient of the ECHL "Award of Excellence," is scheduled to host "Thunder FanFest" on Sunday, Oct. 10 at Stockton Arena from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., presenting the first chance for fans to view the team on an up-close and personal basis.

Admission to the event is free-of-charge, providing fans with a rare opportunity to interact with Thunder players and coaching staff, collect autographs and photos and pick up brand new Thunder merchandise for the season while experiencing a taste of the Thunder game night experience that has drawn over 6,000 fans per game for five straight seasons.

"For hockey fans across the region, it's always an exciting time of year before the season starts to mingle with their favorite players, some who may have a great chance at becoming future members of the San Jose Sharks or Edmonton Oilers," said Thunder president Dan Chapman. "We're expecting an event like this to be a perfect fit in launching yet another exciting season of hockey in the Central Valley."

All fans are asked to enter Stockton Arena through the South Entrance, located adjacent to Banner Island Ballpark. As doors open at 3:00 p.m., fans will be treated to a Skills Competition event which will feature no plexiglass along the side boards to enhance the experience. Thunder players will participate in a Puck Control Relay, Hardest Shot and Breakaway Relay event.

The family-friendly "Fan Deck" will be open during the event, where all fans will have a chance to win Thunder prizes and present kids with a chance to enroll in Thor's "Kids Club."

Following the Skills Competition, several members of the Thunder will sign autographs for fans on the Fan Deck. Fans can also bring their hockey and lifestyle questions for their favorite player and coaching staff from 4-5 p.m. in the Comcast Club for a special "Q&A Session," hosted by Thunder radio play-by-play announcer Mike Benton.

New Thunder merchandise will be on sale "Fan Attic," the official team store of the Thunder throughout the event. Fans in attendance will be able to pick up their 2010-11 Season Ticket books and mini-plan ticket packages. Fans will also be able to purchase individual game tickets.

Select concessions will be available for fans to sample the taste of a Thunder game.

INDIVIDUAL TICKET AND OPENING NIGHT INFORMATION

Thunder individual tickets will go on sale to the general public at the Stockton Arena Ticket Office beginning Friday, Oct. 1 at 10:00 a.m. Tickets for games at Stockton Arena are priced at $7, $9, $13, $14, $17, and $28 (glass seats and Comcast Club). Individual tickets will also be available by phone by calling (209) 373-1700 and visiting www.stocktontickets.com.

Opening Night is Friday, Oct. 15, when the Thunder opens the 2010-11 regular season at home against the Ontario Reign, starting at 7:30 p.m. at Stockton Arena (1280 AM KWSX). The Thunder and Alaska Aces meet in the preseason opener on Oct. 5 at Sullivan Arena, beginning at 8:15 p.m. The Thunder and Ontario Reign square off in the only preseason game at Stockton Arena on Friday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m.

A proud affiliate of the Edmonton Oil ers and San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League and the Oklahoma City Barons and Worcester Sharks of the American Hockey League, the Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew over 200,000 fans for the fifth consecutive season in 2009-10. 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 September 30, 2010


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