Thunder Lands All-Star Brandon Schwartz

Published on August 2, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons, has agreed to terms with free-agent right wing Brandon Schwartz, Thunder head coach Chris Cichocki announced today. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"Brandon's overall game is a huge asset that is welcomed to the Thunder lineup," said Cichocki. "He brings the same intensity to prevent a goal as he does to score one and in my opinion, he was one of the best two-way performers in our conference last year. Along with his value on the ice, he is a person with great character and determination that will provide necessary leadership in the dressing room and on the bench."

Schwartz, who turns 26 on August 3, was named to the National Conference team at the 2007 Rbk Hockey ECHL All-Star Game and scored 53 points (19g-34a) with 57 penalty minutes as a rookie last season with the Long Beach Ice Dogs, appearing in all 72 games while ranking second on the team in scoring, goals and assists.

The St. Cloud, Minnesota native has appeared in 83 career professional games, splitting 11 games between the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL) and Binghamton Senators (AHL) in 2005-06, netting one assist and four penalty minutes. Schwartz appeared in six Kelly Cup Playoff games with South Carolina in 2006, tallying one assist.

Schwartz spent four years (2002-03) of his college hockey career at Michigan Tech University (NCAA) - the alma mater of Cichocki - scoring 82 points (34g-48a) with 109 penalty minutes in 143 career games with the Huskies. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound forward tied career-highs in points (26), goals (10) and assists (16) as a 2004-05 junior and 2005-06 senior, additionally ranking second on the Huskies in scoring in 2005-06 while serving as team captain.

"Having played against Stockton last year, it was very inspiring to see their great fan support up-close and how they fill the arena," said Schwartz. "Chris and I established a comfortable relationship beginning at last year's All-Star Game and I'm very excited to join the organization that has a ringing endorsement from the players I've talked to about the perks of playing here."

Schwartz addressed the additional benefits of moving up the California coast.

"My wife went with me to a couple of road games here last year," said Schwartz. "She's a big wine connoisseur and is already looking forward to the occasional visits to Napa Valley."

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