Urquhart Named ECHL All-Star, National Conference Alternate Captain with MacAulay

Published on January 15, 2009 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, announced in conjunction with the ECHL that veteran center Cory Urquhart (URK-hart) has been named to the National Conference roster for the 2009 ECHL All-Star Game presented by Guardian Wear in Reading, PA. on Jan. 20-21.

Additionally, it was announced Urquhart and Thunder defenseman Kenny MacAulay were named alternate captains for the National Conference, joining captain Matt Shasby (Alaska Aces). In total, four members of the Thunder are headed to Reading for the All-Star Game, including rookie forward Ryan Huddy and head coach Matt Thomas, who will serve behind the All-Star Game bench for the second time in his career.

It is the first All-Star selection of Urquhart's career, who caps the week with three ECHL honors. The 24-year old was named In Glas Co ECHL Player of the Week on Jan. 14 after scoring five goals and six points (5g-1a) to help the Thunder post two road wins at Phoenix on Jan. 6 and Jan. 8. On Sunday, Jan. 11, the 6-foot-3, 196-pound forward earned his second AHL recall of the season to Springfield.

Currently signed to an AHL contract with Springfield, the 24-year old forward is second on the Thunder with 32 points (15g-17a) in 30 games, additionally posting 24 penalty minutes this season. Urquhart is tied for the Thunder lead with four power-play goals and was selected in the second round (40th overall) by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

Urquhart has amassed an assist in six games this year for Springfield and has skated in 300 games as a pro in the ECHL with Stockton, Cincinnati and Long Beach, in the AHL with Springfield and Hamilton and in the Central Hockey League with Arizona, scoring 239 points (123g-116a) while posting 183 penalty minutes.

It is the second straight ECHL All-Star appearance for MacAulay, who represented Fresno last season for the game at Stockton Arena. MacAulay's 21 points (3g-18a) are tied for seventh in ECHL defensemen scoring and tied for the Thunder lead in scoring among blueliners (with Cleve Kinley).

2009 ECHL ALL-STAR GAME

The Reading Royals, the City of Reading and the Sovereign Center will host the 17th Annual ECHL All-Star Game on Jan. 21, 2009 and the 12th Annual All-Star Skills Competition on Jan. 20, 2009. There are 13 rookies on the National Conference and 20 of the 21 players are making their first appearance in an ECHL All-Star Game. There have been 46 players from the All-Star Game who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League, including 29 since 2002 when the lineups began having players who coaches felt were prospects to move up to a higher level.

The Stanley Cup and the Patrick J. Kelly Cup will both be on display throughout the event, marking the ninth time in the last 10 years that the NHL championship trophy and the ECHL championship trophy have been displayed together at the All-Star Game.

The Thunder returns to play on Friday, Jan. 16 against Las Vegas Wranglers at 7:30 p.m. from Stockton Arena. The game is available on radio at 1420 KSTN and online (audio is free-of-charge) for viewing for a $7 charge at http://www.stocktonthunder.com/ (courtesy of B2 Networks).

The Thunder was voted "Best Local Sports Team" by readers of San Joaquin Magazine, has led the ECHL in attendance for three consecutive seasons and drew 239,337 fans to Stockton Arena in 2007-08. Season tickets, group tickets, individual tickets and mini plans are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.StocktonThunder.com.

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ECHL Stories from January 15, 2009


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