Thunder Swings Deal With Odessa
January 5, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Thunder made their second trade in the last eight days, acquiring center Paul Kelly and defenseman JR Bria from the Odessa Jackalopes in exchange for Troy Ofukany.
Kelly had 12 goals and nine assists in 31 games for the Jackalopes this season and has 188 points in 291 games for his career. The Peabody, MA native's best season came two years ago when he scored 26 goals and 53 total points in 62 games for the Tulsa Oilers. Now in his fifth professional season, Kelly spent four seasons in the ECHL, including a portion of last year with the South Carolina Stingrays. The 29-year old center played two seasons of college hockey at SUNY-Plattsburgh in New York as well as one season at Boston College.
Bria (pronounced BREE-uh) played in five games for the Jackalopes before heading on the 30-Day IR in late October. The fourth-year professional played air-tight defense for the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs last season, finishing with a +15 rating in 62 games while contributing two goals and 14 assists. The 27-year old spent two years in the ECHL, most recently with Pensacola in 2007-08. Bria split his college career, playing two years each at Colgate University and the University of Massachusetts at Lowell.
Ofukany had five goals, four assists, and 37 PIM in 31 games with a -24 rating. As a true rookie last season, Ofukany had 36 points and 122 PIM in 62 games. Kelly and Bria are expected to arrive in Wichita tomorrow and will be available for Wichita's match versus Tulsa on Friday.
The Thunder returns to the ice on Friday when they host the Tulsa Oilers. The following night, Wichita faces Ofukany and the Jackalopes in the final game at the Kansas Coliseum. Both contests begin at 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Thunder office at (316) 264-GOAL.
Central Hockey League Stories from January 5, 2010
- Vincent Stops 'Bugs In Shootout, Mavs Win Again - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Mavs Outlast Mudbugs In 4-3 Shootout Win - Kansas City Mavericks
- Oilers Enlow Heading To All-Star Game - Tulsa Oilers
- CHL All-Star Trainers And Equipment Managers Announced - CHL
- Athletic Trainers And Equipment Managers Named For All-Star Game - Laredo Bucks
- Junior Gorillas Add To Weekend Festivities - Amarillo Gorillas
- Oilers Caig Added To All-Star Team - Tulsa Oilers
- Ulanski Moved Into All-Star Starting Lineup - Colorado Eagles
- 2010 CHL All-Star Team Adds Tulsa Forward - CHL
- Odessa's Joel Martin Wins Weekly Award - CHL
- Shots From The Point - CHL
- Bucks Host Health And Fitness Fair Friday - Laredo Bucks
- Jacks Acquire Ofukany From Wichita - Odessa Jackalopes
- Thunder Swings Deal With Odessa - Wichita Thunder
- Whitley Named Oakley CHL Goaltender Of The Week For Second Time - Allen Americans
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