Thunder Welcomes Veteran Forward Damian Surma

Published on December 26, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder, the proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons, has agreed to terms with veteran center Damian Surma (DAY-mee-en), Thunder head coach Chris Cichocki announced today. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Surma, 27, is scheduled to debut in a Thunder uniform Saturday (7:30 p.m., 1420 KSTN/StocktonThunder.com) when the Thunder hosts the Victoria Salmon Kings at Stockton Arena.

"We're pretty happy to add a player with Damian's ability at this time of the season," said Cichocki. "He's a guy who will create offense, aid our power-play and be a factor in killing penalties. His NHL experience with Carolina, playoff experience with Florida and oveall leadership abilities will be welcomed ingredients for our team."

A veteran forward who makes his return to the ECHL for the first time since 2004-05, Surma is one of 385 players who have moved on to play in the National Hockey League after playing at the ECHL level, scoring two points (1g-1a) in two games with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2002-03 and 2003-04.

Surma, who was selected in the sixth round (174th overall) of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes, has skated in 280 career games as a pro with the Hurricanes, the ECHL's Florida Everblades, the AHL's Lowell Lock Monsters and the UHL's Missouri River Otters and Kalamazoo Wings, scoring 170 points (79g-91a) and posting 216 penalty minutes.

The 5-foot-9, 200-pound forward helped guide the Everblades to back-to-back appearances in the Kelly Cup Finals in 2004-05, scoring 16 goals and 31 points (16g-15a) in 35 career playoff appearances. As a teammate of current Thunder assistant coach Tim O'Connell, Surma enjoyed a career-best 60 points (32g-28a) and 32 goals in 2004-05 and tied for the league lead with three game-winning goals in the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

Surma helped lift Florida into its second straight appearance in the Kelly Cup Finals with a game-winning goal in sudden-death overtime in game six of the American Conference Finals against the Charlotte Checkers.

Additionally, Surma enjoyed 16 multi-point games that year and was named CCM Tacks ECHL Player of the Month for October, amassing 12 points (7g-5a) and seven goals.

The Lincoln Park, Michigan native spent the previous two seasons (2006-08) with Asiago HC of the Italian League, scoring 51 points (23g-28a) and posting 68 penalty minutes in 61 combined games.

"I'm excited for the opportunity to return to the ECHL and play in a new environment in Stockton," said Surma. "I'm looking forward to contributing wherever the team needs my help at even-strength, on the power-play or penalty kill. I've heard the atmosphere at home is unbelievable, every weekend game is packed and it's fun to play in front of the fans here."

Surma acknowledged his relationship with O'Connell as one of many factors that influenced his decision to return to the ECHL in a Thunder uniform.

"Tim and I stayed in touch over the years and have been best of friends since we played together in Florida," said Surma. "I'm looking forward to a great situation with him now on the coaching staff."

Before turning pro, Surma skated in 241 junior games in the Ontario Hockey League for four years (1998-2002) with the Plymouth Whalers, scoring 225 points (105g-120a) and notching 306 penalty minutes. Surma posted career-highs in scoring (78 points), goals (34) and assists (44) in 66 games in 1999-00. Among the players Surma called "teammate" at the junior level were former Thunder forward Tim Sestito and NHL-experienced forwards David Legwand (Nashville), Paul Mara (New York Rangers) and Justin Williams (Carolina).

The Thunder return to play from the holiday break on Friday, Dec. 26 with a 7:00 p.m. road bout against the Bakersfield Condors at Rabobank Arena.

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