Thunder Signs Hobey Baker Finalist

Published on February 9, 2011 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 the team has signed rookie goaltender Zane Kalemba to an emergency backup contract and the Sharks have recalled goaltender Tyson Sexsmith from the Thunder to the Worcester Sharks. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Kalemba will wear jersey #1 and suit up tonight when the Thunder visits the Ontario Reign at 7:05 p.m. (1280 KWSX/StocktonThunder.com).

Kalemba, 25, has suited up in seven ECHL games this season with the Reading Royals and Elmira Jackals, posting a record of 2-0-1, a 4.21 goals-against-average and .858 percentage.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound goaltender sported a four-year (2006-10) college career at Princeton University (NCAA), where he was a top-ten finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as a 2008-09 junior, given to the top player in NCAA men's hockey each season. That year, he was named second team All-American, ECAC and Princeton Player of the Year with career-best numbers in wins (22), goals-against-average (1.82) and save percentage (.932).

In 108 career college games with the Tigers, Kalemba sported a 57-44-5 record, .912 save percentage and nine shutouts, breaking the program record in all categories.

Sexsmith, selected by San Jose in the third round (91st overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft and a Memorial Cup champion goaltender with the Vancouver Giants in 2006-07, has earned his second recall of the season to Worcester and is 4-2-2 in nine games with the Thunder this season with a goals-against-average of 3.01 and an .879 save percentage.

The 5-foot-11, 210-pound was awarded Reebok Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Week honors, ending Oct. 24, when he went 2-0-0 with a .941 save percentage.

Sexsmith is 6-2-2 in 11 career ECHL games with the Thunder and Kalamazoo and posted a 4-6-1 record, one shutout, .860 save percentage and 3.94 goals-against-average in 13 AHL games last season with Worcester. Earlier today, San Jose recalled goaltender Carter Hutton from Worcester.

A two-time recipient of the ECHL ‚¬Å“Award of Excellence, ‚¬Â 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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