Thunder Returns Four Time "Fan Favorite" Garet Hunt

Published on September 18, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, proud ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League, and head coach Matt Thomas announced today the team has agreed to terms with left wing Garet Hunt. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Hunt, 24, will return in his familiar number "24" for the fifth consecutive season as the reigning four time recipient of the Thunder "Fan Favorite" Award. He enters the season leading the Thunder all time games played list (244) and penalty minutes (966) while ranking fifth in points (77) and assists (47).

"Garet is the heartbeat of our team and a leader in both the dressing room and on the ice," said Thomas. "He consistently adds a physical element that is unmatched in our league and when he's at his best, there isn't a more entertaining player to watch. The energy on our bench and in our building picks up because of him and we're looking for a continued contribution from his playing style this season."

THUNDER GAMES PLAYED, ALL TIME Player GP 1. Garet Hunt 244 2. Mark Adamek 186 3. Adam Huxley 183 4. Mike Lalonde 182 5. Daryl Marcoux 166

THUNDER PENALTY MINUTES, ALL TIME Player PIM 1. Garet Hunt 966 2. Adam Huxley 670 3. Ryan Constant 252 4. Jordan Bendfeld 235 5. Jason Metcalfe 230

Hunt led the Thunder with 255 penalty minutes last season while chipping in with 12 assists and 19 points in 69 games as an alternate captain, helping guide the team to the second round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the third time in four seasons.

The Maple Ridge, British Columbia native earned career highs in 60 games with 13 goals and 30 points in 2010-11, helping the Thunder finish in a first place tie with the Bakersfield Condors for the Pacific Division title. He led the ECHL with 248 penalty minutes that season, en route to additionally capturing the Thunder "Unsung Hero" award, as selected by a vote from his teammates.

The 5-foot-8 and 190 pound forward has also added ten games at the AHL level with Worcester and Springfield, collecting one assist and 37 penalty minutes.

In 38 career Kelly Cup Playoff games, Hunt has posted seven goals and ten points while helping guide the Thunder to the Conference Finals in 2009-10.

"Getting an opportunity to come back and play for the best fans in the league was too good to pass up," said Hunt. "I feel comfortable in Stockton, it's my second home and every year I play there, I fall more in love with the city. Matt Thomas is a great coach and knowing that a bunch of the guys are coming back from last season should help us with a head start in October."

Hunt skated in 193 career junior games with Vancouver of the Western Hockey League, posting 542 penalty minutes and 41 points. He was a member of the Giants' Memorial Cup championship team in 2006-07 and his former teammates now playing in the NHL include Milan Lucic (Boston) and Andrej Meszaros (Philadelphia).

Opening Night is Friday, Oct. 12 when the Thunder launches the 2012-13 season and the ECHL's 25th Anniversary campaign at home against the Ontario Reign starting at 7:30 p.m. at Stockton Arena.

A two time recipient of the ECHL "Award of Excellence," the Thunder led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew over 200,000 fans for the seventh consecutive season in 2011-12. Season Tickets for 2012-13 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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