Thunder Trade With Elmira Lands LW Colton Yellow Horn

Published on October 28, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, the proud ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League and Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League, has acquired left wing Colton Yellow Horn from the Elmira Jackals in exchange for the rights to defenseman Neil Petruic (PEH-troo-ick), Thunder head coach Matt Thomas announced today.

Yellow Horn, 22, is expected to make his debut with the Thunder on Friday, Oct. 30 against the Victoria Salmon Kings at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre at 7:05 p.m. (1420 KSTN/StocktonThunder.com). He will wear jersey number 13.

"Acquiring a player of Colton's caliber and resume addresses the need to strengthen our offensive depth," said Thomas. "His skill fits into our top-six group and gives us an additional playmaker who can distribute the puck and finish. We're happy to acquire a forward who not only can make those better around him but can put the puck in the net when he gets the opportunity."

Yellow Horn, a participant in AHL training camp this year with the Binghamton Senators, has appeared in two games for the Elmira Jackals this year and scored 11 points (5g-6a) in 24 ECHL games last season.

The 5-foot-9, 190-pound forward produced over a point-per-game average throughout his five-year (2003-08) junior career in the Western Hockey League with Lethbridge and Tri-City, scoring 349 points (153g-196a) in 330 games while compiling 248 penalty minutes.

Yellow Horn's career-high 48 goals led the WHL in 2007-08. That year, he scored a career-high 97 points (48g-49a) in 67 games for Tri-City, ranking third in league scoring and was selected to the WHL West First All-Star Team. The native of Brocket, Alberta scored 33 points (13g-20a) in 33 career junior postseason games.

Petruic, 27, was signed by the Thunder as a free agent on Jul. 30, 2008 and has appeared in two games with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL this season.

Last year, Petruic scored four points (2g-2a) and tallied 12 penalty minutes in 14 ECHL games and added 64 AHL games with the Binghamton Senators, scoring eight points (1g-7a) after signing a professional tryout agreement (PTO) with the team on Nov. 20.

In addition, the Thunder announced right wing Stephen Slonina has been placed on waivers. He has appeared in one game for the Thunder this year and in 290 career ECHL games with Stockton, Gwinnett, Toledo, Greenville, Charlotte and Bakersfield, has totaled 153 points (70g-83a) and 255 penalty minutes.

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of the San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew 223,854 fans to Stockton Arena in 2008-09. Season Tickets for 2009-10 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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