Tim Sestito Is Third Thunder Alum To Make NHL Debut

Published on November 27, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release

STOCKTON, Calif. - Center Tim Sestito, who played in 66 games with the Stockton Thunder in 2006-07, made his National Hockey League debut with the Edmonton Oilers tonight against the Los Angeles Kings.

Originally signed by the Oilers as a free agent on Aug. 28, 2006 and in his fourth full season as a professional, the 24-year old Sestito previously skated in 16 games with the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League this season, scoring three points (2g-1a) while garnering six penalty minutes.

The 6-foot, 195-pound forward played in 66 games for the Thunder in 2006-07, ranking second on the club with 132 penalty minutes while scoring 26 points (13g-13a). Sestito helped guide the Thunder to the first Kelly Cup Playoff berth in team history and scored three points (2g-1a) in six playoff games, ranking tied for second on the team in playoff scoring.

Sestito is the third former Thunder player to play in the NHL with the Oilers, joining left wing Liam Reddox (vs. St. Louis on Dec. 7, 2007) and defenseman Bryan Young (at Anaheim on Mar. 9, 2007). For the third consecutive season, Stockton is serving as the AA minor-league affiliate for the Oilers. The Thunder has clinched back-to-back appearances in the Kelly Cup Playoffs since the affiliation partnership began in the 2006-07 season. In total, five Thunder players, including two who have been selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft, have been named to play in the ECHL All-Star Game in the last two years while in the Oilers farm system.

Prior to his NHL debut, Sestito skated in 244 career games with Stockton and Greenville of the ECHL, Springfield, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Bridgeport of the AHL, scoring 93 points (45g-48a) while amassing 458 penalty minutes.

ECHL Stories from November 27, 2008

• Stingrays Battle Back, Fall in OT 5-4 - South Carolina Stingrays
• Oliveto's first of season downs Stingrays in OT - Mississippi Sea Wolves
• Gladiators Beat Lynx, 6-2 - Atlanta Gladiators
• Gladiators beat Lynx 6-2 - Augusta Lynx
• McGoff Acquired From Trenton in Thanksgiving Day Deal - Stockton Thunder
• ECHL Transactions - ECHL
• Curry, Sestito Increase Number Of ECHL Players In NHL To 370 - ECHL
• ECHL Today - ECHL
• Marchesi Returns to Gwinnett - Atlanta Gladiators
• Happy Thanksgiving from the Jackals - Elmira Jackals
• Urquhart scores twice, Thunder stifled with Murray's 42 saves - Stockton Thunder
• Special Teams Net Three, as Reign Roll Over Thunder, 4-2 - Ontario Reign
• Tim Sestito Is Third Thunder Alum To Make NHL Debut - Stockton Thunder
• Grizzlies Fall To Victoria: Back Home Friday, Saturday - Utah Grizzlies

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Stockton Thunder Stories

• Final Weather Report: All the News and Notes from the Stockton Thunder
• Thunder Announce End of the Year Equipment Sale
• Thunder Win Final ECHL Game in front of Sold Out Crowd
• Final Thunder Home Game at Stockton Arena at 7:30 p.m.
• Larocque Scores in Second Straight against Bakersfield but Team Falls